Elimination Final Preview – 2017
From the Border Mail
CULCAIRN and Henty are in the market for new coaches.
Brendan Way and Adam Eady will step down from the helm after three seasons at the Lions while Matt Klemke and Simon Hillier will stand down at Henty.
“We just think it’s time for a new voice,” Way said.
“It’s an attractive position to step into as we are back in the finals after building our way up the ladder.
“Work and family make it pretty tough to keep going after three seasons.”
Culcairn will start underdogs against reigning premier Brocklesby-Burrumbuttock in the elimination final at Walbundrie on Sunday.
The Saints won their only head-to-head battle by 34 points on June 10.
“There is a bit of a buzz around town,” Way said.
“It’s a huge game for the footy club and we will take a fairly settled side into the match.”
Jye Shields, who won the Lions’ best and fairest from Eady and Tim Hallinan, will be pivotal in the midfield and could find himself being picked up by Saint stopper Luke Brauer.
Jamie Robbins will also play an important role after winning the league’s goalkicking with 63 majors.
Brock-Burrum’s strength has been their ability to win the ball in tight through Luke Schilg, Kade Stevens and Darcy I’Anson and shovel it out to runners like Nico Sedgwick.
The Saints will be also hoping big forward Justin Koschitzke can stretch the Lions’ defence with Lachie Stoll expected to get first crack at the former AFL player.
Meanwhile, Klemke and Hillier have told the Swampies they will be standing down.
Despite the pair helping return the club as a force in the competition, Klemke has cited family commitments and Hillier injuries as the reasons for their decision.
“Kerrie and I have got our sixth child on the way so things are going to be fairly hectic at home,” Klemke said.
“I’ve absolutely loved it, but it’s a big job.
“With the number of kids coming through at Henty, I’d say it’s a pretty attractive position.
“’Hilly’ has really battled with injuries this year which has been hard for him.”
Henty will regain big forward Brent Ohlin and Andrew Hill for Saturday’s elimination final against Rand-Walbundrie-Walla at Walbundrie.
HENTY has been dealt a shattering blow on the eve of the finals with star forward James Breen breaking his leg in two places.
Breen will miss the rest of the season after X-rays confirmed the Swampies’ worst fears on Tuesday.
“He hurt himself in the first quarter and came off, but felt he was OK and played out the game which is a really brave effort,” Swampie co-coach Matt Klemke said.
“He had 10 touches in the last quarter which says a lot about his character.
“He’s shattered and so is the club because he’s been really good for us.”
in tribunal news on Wednesday night, Culcairn’s Dane Hallinan was suspended for four matches for head-butting CDHBU’s Shannon Broadbent.
Lion reserve grade player Ben Willis was outed for 12 weeks for striking.
RWW forward Todd Miller was found guilty but escaped with a reprimand.
