Collie in fight for home final chance

A home final could be the prize for the Collie Eagles or Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault when they clash at the Collie Recreation Ground on Sunday.

The Eagles trail the second-placed Lions by one game on the SWFL ladder and with just three rounds remaining, this weekend’s clash looms as a big one.

Last time the two side’s met it was the Lions who came away with a two-point win in a low scoring encounter.

But the Eagles have added former Subiaco forward Raymond Daniels since then, which has changed the structure of their forward line.

Eagles coach Clint Swallow said he wanted to have as many forwards kick goals as possible.

Swallow said there was even a possibility of versatile big man Matt Michael returning to attack, despite him being one of the inform defenders of the competition.

“We have been thinking of playing him forward again this year, but that might not be this weekend,” he said.

“We are looking to get multiple goalkickers in our forward line every week.”

Swallow admitted it was an important game for the club and their chances of a home final.

“We are confident we can go with them,” he said.

“They have played well all year and deserve to sit in second.

“But a home final up here would be massive for our club.”

Lions coach Matthew Templeton said each position on the ground would be important in Sunday’s game. Templeton said his side was looking to win the minor premiership.

Lions midfielder Lloyd Beever was one of the best on ground the last time the two side’s met, while forwards Jay Walton and Braddon Kazakoff kicked two goals each.

Templeton said he had a number of players who could run through the midfield, so the focus would not be on one player.

The Lions suffered a scare at the weekend when a good start allowed them to get the jump on a competitive Busselton outfit.

Templeton said the Lions would have to play four quarters of quality football if they were to beat the Eagles.

“At the weekend we came out of the blocks hard and Busselton responded in the second and we were not ready for that,” he said.

“A five-minute lapse like that against Collie is five minutes we won’t get back.”