ROXBURGH Park is playing in its third Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 Grand Final in five years and is desperately hoping it can finally go all the way.
EDFL Match of the Day radio analyst Kaine Hocking has revealed five of the most important Magpies that will be running around Windy Hill against East Sunbury on Saturday.
#19 - LUKE CAPUANO
This home-grown Magpie is back… and he’s hungry to get his club the success it has longed for.
Luke Capuano has kicked 66 goals for the year, 13 of which have come from his last two outings.
He’s a young, mobile forward and he has Roxburgh Park’s forward line on his shoulders and ready for the big time.
But will he be feeling the pressure from two years ago?
Right here at Windy Hill in a grand final against East Keilor, inaccurate kicking stopped the Magpies from claiming their maiden senior flag and Capuano is definitely one Magpie desperately seeking redemption.
Diquan Williams will be his most likely direct opponent.
#7 - HARLEY SHORT
Arguably the best midfielder in Strathmore Community Bank Division 2, Roxburgh Park’s captain will play a massive part in his team’s pursuit of its first senior flag.
The Thunder will need to lock down on Short, as his two-way running and speed out the contest will become too much of a handful if he’s let off the leash.
Short has the ability to play inside and out and gives the Magpies plenty of run-and-carry, as well as great leadership.
#16 - JACK ELLIOTT
Jack Elliott’s a tall utility that provides plenty of options for coach Michael Farrelly and can fit into Roxburgh Park’s structure in several ways.
For his height, Elliott has plenty of speed and is very good at ground level as well.
A head-to-head battle with the fellow ex-Calder Cannon Brad Bernacki would be a treat for the Windy Hill crowd to see.
Look for Elliott to push forward and test the Thunder back line for height inside 50, as he’s been able to kick 15 goals for the year.
#22 - FERRAS MERHI
This EDFL veteran is looking to claim his third premiership and second in three years.
The 2015 Hadfield premiership player is the potential Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 Team of the Year ruckman and will provide a lot of headaches for Glenn Hopkins this Saturday, as his ability to get around the ground, for his size, will provide a great go-to target for the Magpies.
But Merhi is even more dangerous when resting forward and is a reliable kick on goal, having kicked 10 goals for the year.
#6 - MICHAEL FARRELLY
This first-year coach has been a great find for the Magpies, not just on the coaching front, but also on-field, slotting in beautifully at half back.
Michael Farrelly’s ability to set his side up behind the ball and structure up to retain the footy with repeat entries will mean the Thunder will again have to be brave and precise with their ball movement.
Can the first-year coach become the first senior premiership coach at Lakeside Drive and write his name into Roxburgh Park folklore forever?
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 East Sunbury edition of his Grand Final Five.
