Tara Murray
Albion is one step closer to its premiership dream through to the Western Football League division 2 grand final.
Having fallen narrowly short in last year’s decider, the Cats have been focused all year on getting back and getting a second shot.
They will be able to do that after beating Sunshine in a semi final on Saturday.
Cats coach Blake Richards said they were pretty happy to be back in the final game of the year.
“It’s a reward for effort,” he said. “We’re in a pretty good position and we now have the week off to freshen up.
“We could possibly get a couple of players back as well.”
The Cats faced Sunshine in the qualifying final in the battle of the top teams. The Cats had won both matches between the sides during the regular season.
For most of the game on Saturday, it was a hard slog.
The Cats were able to grab some momentum in the third quarter and were able to convert on the scoreboard.
It would be the difference in the 10.8 (68)-6.8 (44) win.
Richards said it was windy and it kept the ball to one side of the ground, but ended up working in their favour.
“Sunshine brought the contested game up from last time,” he said. “We thought a chance might come as we had fair control of the game and we were able to make the most of those opportunities.
“We got four quick goals and that was the margin. Sunshine had a few chances in the last quarter, it could have gone either way.”
Cooper Muir kicked three goals for the Cats.
Richards said he and co-captain Darcy McPherson had good moments in the third quarter when they were needed.
Josiah Garisto was good off half back while Cody Bench had a good second half.
For Sunshine, Daniel Torcia kicked three goals with leading goal kicker Nathan Carroll not in the side.
Fabian Brancatisano, Matthew Cravino and Patrick O’Keefe were named their best.
The Cats now get a week off before the grand final.
For the Kangaroos, they face Newport in a preliminary final.
The Panthers beat Wyndhamvale in the other semi final.
While they had the first week of the finals off, Richards said it wasn’t the worst thing to have another week off before the grand final.
He said Jesse Cavanagh would train this week as he tries to get over an injury, while Amar Elnour returned via reserves on Sunday.
“The boys are pretty motivated at the moment,” Richards said. “We’ll have some competitive work at training to get us through.
“We’ll go and watch this week. We’ve got a few senior players who can play in the reserves and we’ll try and get both sides in finals.”
Richards said the group’s motivation wasn’t just showing on the field.
He said they were getting around the whole club.
“Our under-12 girls won a premiership and there were 15-20 of the senior group and a heap of reserves players who went and watched.
“It was a good sign ahead of finals.”
