EAST Sunbury will, for the first time in its history, run out onto Windy Hill to play in a grand final this Saturday.
EDFL Match of the Day radio analyst Kaine Hocking tells us who he believes are the Thunder’s most important players going to the big one against Roxburgh Park.
#11 - BRAD BERNACKI
Ex-Calder Cannons captain, Brad Bernacki, has found himself back at his junior club, and all he’s done is cause headaches for all opposing sides in Strathmore Community Bank Division 2.
He provides several options for Glenn Hopkins and his coaching panel, as this young gun is able to play in any area on the ground.
In just 14 games Bernacki was named in East Sunbury’s bests on six occasions, having also spent time with Coburg at VFL level.
His gut running is a pleasure to watch at this level and provides so much grunt on the inside of the contest.
His battle against Magpies mids Michael Farrelly, Harley Short and Jack Elliott will provide for some great viewing come Saturday.
#18 - JAMERSON CAMPBELL
Having not played since August 4, the Thunder will be doing everything they can to get their leading goalkicker up for this massive game.
With 28 goals for the year, this lead-up centre-half forward can prove a handful for defenders with his ability to be able to repeat lead and create space behind him.
The Thunder will be looking for him to drag the Magpies defence away from goal, not letting them sag off and create a third man up as they do so well.
Hopkins would want to make sure his centre-half forward is 100 per cent going into this game, as we have all seen how things end when carrying wounded players into big games.
#3 - KAMEN OGILVIE
Kamen Ogilvie provides so much run-and-carry for the Thunder from half back and when roaming around the midfield.
Roxburgh Park coach Michael Farrelly would want to pay close attention to this high-possession getter who rarely wastes a disposal.
Leave Ogilvie to roam free at your own risk, as the Thunder ball magnet will just bring his own Sherrin to Windy Hill if allowed to do so.
If you can somehow shut Ogilvie down, then you are on the way to stopping this power-running team.
#1 - LUCAS SHAW
East Sunbury’s captain could well be the match-winner on grand final day.
As a wingman, Lucas Shaw’s ability to get to the right spots when he pushes forward could be the main link in the premiership chain.
Roxburgh Park will need to find a defensive wingman to play on Shaw because if he’s allowed to run forward, then he’ll become a major forward 50 target for the Thunder.
His foot skills around the ground provides the Thunder with the space for their running game to flourish, which should suit the dimensions of Windy Hill.
#5 - TOM CREE
Another young star midfielder for the Thunder… Tom Cree is a clearance king.
He provides so much grunt inside the contest and hits the stoppage at pace, which means he’s a dangerous man to mark around the packs.
Field kicking and kicking at goal is also a feature of Cree’s game.
Cree managed to escape Tuesday’s tribunal hearing for a striking charge with a reprimand and in such a big game here, he must be on his best behavior, as we’ve seen poor discipline cost teams flags in recent years.
Kaine Hocking will be part of the live coverage of Roxburgh Park v East Sunbury from 2pm – 5:30pm on 98.9 North West FM & Mixlr.com/edflfooty.
Click here to read Kaine Hocking's Roxburgh Park edition of his Grand Final Five.
