Sport
21 August, 2024
Mentality key as Bombers ready for tough Panthers battle | HDFNL finals
Noradjuha Quantong takes on Rupanyup at Harrow Reserve.
The Noradjuha Quantong Bombers will play the Rupanyup Panthers in a HDFNL elimination Finals at Harrow Reserve on Saturday, August 24.
This marks the second time in as many seasons the two regular finals contenders have clashed in a sudden death encounter.
In 2023, Noradjuha Quantong overcame its favoured opposition, but this time around, it is Rupanyup who appears more like the underdog.
While the two sides have traded wins through the 2024 regular season, the Bombers recent form has seen them toppling the high flying Swifts, and controlling games against other top-six teams.
Meanwhile, Rupanyup has only won two games since round 10, and when taking on Noradjuha Quantong in round 17, the Panthers lost 21.13 (139) - 11.6 (72).
Noradjuha Quantong's senior football coach, Damian Cameron is hoping his side can learn from the two sides' recent match up.
"I know they had a couple of players out last time, and we have struggled against them over the last few years," he said.
Cameron has credited his side's late season form to a change in attitude for his side, and with the wins his footballers have collected, will likely come confidence, and he hopes to see that positive mentality boost his side in finals.
"I'd like to think that the mental side of it will come into things against Rupanyup," he said.
"And, [we need to] get those matchups right, their top players are really hard to matchup on."
Victory for Rupanyup will see the Panthers advance to the semi finals on the club's own home track, where the side will clash with the winner of the elimination final between Pimpinio and Laharum being played on Sunday, August 25.
Saturday will be a busy day for Rupanyup's footballers.
The club will also see its reserves and under 17s side run out for elimination finals.
In the reserves, the Panthers take on Laharum, the only Demons side not playing the following day.
And, Kaniva Leeor United awaits in the under 17s.
Meanwhile, the day's curtain raiser will see Edenhope Apsley's only finals football team take on Pimpinio in the under 14s.