Print this pageGlenelg has thrown the dice at the selection table for the preliminary final clash with Sturt at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Experienced defender Paul Sherwood returns from a hamstring injury while Sam Rudolph (concussion) and Byron Murphy (hamstring) have been included despite being forced from the field in the second semi-final loss to Central District.
With no second prizes this week, Glenelg has taken a punt on the trio who were all rated as doubtful early in the week.
Justin McConnell (hamstring) was ruled out, opening a spot in the 21 for Sherwood.
The Double Blues added promising midfielder Seb Paynter and versatile Power utility Greg Bentley to complete an extended squad of 23.
Bentley, a late withdrawal from the first semi-final last week, has overcome a hamstring strain but like Paynter must survive the cut before the first bounce.
For the Tigers, this has been a season of accomplishments - first minor premiership since 1981 and first appearance in a second semi-final in 18 years.
They also broke a 16-year drought at Elizabeth with their round 12 victory and their win at Alberton in round 22 was their first at the ground for 15 years.
The Tigers have accounted for Sturt in their past five meetings, including a one-point triumph in last year's elimination final.
Sturt's most recent victory over Glenelg was in round two last year. So given all the facts and figures, the Tigers should go into the clash with plenty of self-belief.
But, importantly, they also confront a buoyant Doubles Blues with the fear of dropping out of the title race with successive losses in the finals. Not since South Adelaide in 1991 has a minor premier failed to qualify for the grand final.
After going into the major round as premiership favourites, the Tigers are now ranked third behind Central District and Sturt.
"There is a fear incentive and there is a much more positive incentive which is to go on and we look at it as an opportunity. We've earned the right to have another crack at it and have another crack at it we will," Glenelg coach Mark Mickan said.
As for the expectation of supporters - and there is plenty - Mickan said there is pressure on everybody.
"It is just a matter of getting our game in place and getting our players performing and having their level of self-belief up," he said.
"It is good to know we won the previous couple of encounters but when we start the game on Sunday it will be nil-all.
"We have got to work our way into the game right from the start and impose our presence on the game."
Sturt, coming off a frustrating loss to the Bulldogs in the qualifying final, overwhelmed Norwood in an emphatic response to criticism.
Co-captain Jade Sheedy was among those who used the convincing win to find their true form, while Luke Crane has had another week to get over the thrill of his Magarey Medal triumph.
Double Blues coach Rick Macgowan said players such as Michael Coad, Craig Evans and Andrew Whiteman would have benefited from recent game time after recovering from injuries.
Coad provides the Doubles Blues with versatility, while Whiteman's toughness at the contest is admired by the club and fans.
"The past three weeks have been a perfect preparation for this week," Macgowan said. "We had the hard hit-out at Elizabeth (final minor round) and two good hit-outs in the finals."
Sturt won't get the freedom it enjoyed last week against the Redlegs. The Tigers are a hard-working unit aiming to adhere to Mickan's message of improved intensity for the entire game.
The Double Blues have been content to back themselves under Macgowan but serious attention must be given to defensive work to quell the Tigers' playmakers.
Courtesy of The Advertiser
Story by Warren Partland