OSBORNE defender Andrew Clarke isn’t just trotting out the party line when he says the Cats are a 50-50 chance against Jindera on Saturday.
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Clarke, 29, and his older brother, Matt, 31, have played in six grand finals together for three wins and three losses.
“Hopefully it’s our year again,” Clarke said.
“Jindera’s a tough side though and I’d say it will come down to the last kick or two.
“Unless someone gets on top early it should be close.”
With only two years separating the siblings, the Clarkes played the bulk of their careers together before Andrew joined Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong in 2012.
He spent four years in the Riverina league before taking over as co-coach of The Rock-Yerong Creek last season.
“We’ve only really had a few years apart with our footy,” he said.
“Playing with your brother in a grand final doesn’t come around every week or month so you remember it for sure.”
In a glowing endorsement of Osborne’s junior policy, five sets of brothers have played senior football this season.
The Clarkes have been joined by the Galvins, Alexanders, McDonnells and Bahrs at different stages during the home and away series.
Will Lane has also played senior football with his brother, Simon, being on the brink of selection in the reserves.
“It’s probably always been a bit like that at Osborne,” he said.
“We’ve always had a lot of locals.”
While the siblings will be out in force on Saturday, Osborne won’t match its feats of 1999 when six sets of brothers played in the upset one-point grand final win over Lockhart.
“We had 12 brothers in that side with the Schneiders, Gleesons, Hosies, Goodens, O’Connells and Clarkes that year,” club president Jason Gooden said.
“I don’t think that record has been beaten.
“In one game this year we had four sets of brothers but we couldn’t quite get the five due to injuries and things like that.”