KEALBA-GREEN Gully was hell-bent on gaining the respect of the other seven clubs in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association’s Luscombe Shield last summer.
The Cougars did that by making a rare finals appearance before they were overawed in a heartbreaking seven-run semi-final loss to Pascoe Vale Central when they inexplicably failed to chase down 119 for victory.
This season is all about redemption from the fateful day.
After 12 months of stewing, the Cougars finally get their chance to erase the bad memories for good after reaching the finals in second spot and tying up a home semi-final.
“We all know what happened last year and it still burns in a lot of the guys,” Cougars assistant coach Matthew Scalzo said.
“Last year was all about getting respect from the competition and I think we did that. Now it’s time to show we’re really here.”
The Cougars will not be handed a passage to the grand final on a silver platter.
They are all too aware of the dangers that Sydenham-Hillside will pose in this weekend’s cut-throat two-day semi-final.
It’s going to be a long winter for the players on the losing side of this argument.
The other semi-final will be contested between Buckley Park and Pascoe Vale Central.
Scalzo says the premiership race is wide open.
“The top four in the finals has been the top four all year,” he said. “Any team on their day can win it.”
