Football
11 April, 2025
Coaches prepped for 'big contest'
Make no mistake: the clash between Thunder and Warriors will be a "big contest" on Saturday.
That's according to coach of Stawell, James Sullivan, who's basing his expectations on what Southern Mallee brought to the field last season.
"Obviously, being round one and having not had a look at them yet we can't be certain," Sullivan said.
"However, based on last year I know they'll be strong around the footy and well-drilled so we're expecting a big contest."
The focus heading into the game on Saturday for Stawell has been purely on themselves.
"We've implemented a new game style with some changes so we'll be focusing on implementing them and bring that into this week," the coach said.
"I'm excited to see how we go.
"They're a quality unit so it's a good chance to see where we're at early in the season."
Like other coaches across the league, Sullivan said he was a believer that the game would be lost or won in the middle.
But he said he was hoping to see a big effort from all his players across the ground.
"I'm looking for everyone to play their role and implement the learnings over the pre-season and a few of our practices," he said.
Meanwhile, according to Thunder coach Kieran Delahunty it doesn't matter where Stawell is on the ladder, they always bring a fierce and tough contest and they have always prided themselves on that.
"Round one and everyone is coming in fresh," Delahunty said.
"I certainly think the contest is going to be tough and it's going to be a good battle in the midfield, as it always is.
"We've done our fair share of conditioning and this year we've hit the ground running in terms of our ball movement and game plan.
"Hopefully the guys are gelling a bit better, being the second year."
Delahunty said Stawell had a potent forward line with the inclusion of Paul Summers, and Cody Driscoll was a Wimmera league goal kicker in his own right.
"I certainly think we're going to have to get those match-ups right but we have a bit of fire-power up forward that they're going to have to worry about," he said.
"I'm not expecting it (the clash) to be easy but if we bring our game and everyone switches on – which I'm sure they will, being round one – I'm confident we can get the job done, but it won't be easy."
A couple of younger guys will line up for Southern Mallee and Delahunty said he was looking forward to seeing them get their chance in the seniors.
"Kodi Frankle will make his debut for the club, which is exciting," Delahunty said.
"He's out of Under 17s and Will Fisher has had a great pre-season – he can still play in Under 17s but had a taste of seniors last season but it will be good to see him rewarded for a great pre-season."