Fry barely feeling the heat

Entrusting his on-field position to Robert Fry was a no-brainer, Fry had filled in for Cooper throughout the season when he was recovering from a back injury.

Acting coach John Puttock praised Fry for the seamless transition.

“They’re both first grade material, I haven’t noticed the difference, they’ve both played well,” Puttock said.

Cooper made a last-minute decision to fly back from Europe a couple of weeks early, missing out on London and Munich for the grand final.

Named as a substitute, it seems that Cooper has no plans of commandeering Fry’s position in goals, but he could make an appearance.

Coming on board with the competition leaders later on in the season could have been a daunting prospect for Fry, however he barely felt the heat.

“I’ve played first grade all my life, it’s nothing new for me,” Fry said.

“I’m glad to be playing with all the boys again.”

He’s pretty proud of his finals track record.

“I’m pretty happy to keep a clean sheet against Henwood Park, they've scored a ridiculous amount of goals this season.”

He acknowledges that it wasn’t a lone effort, the current Junee squad is known for its defensive prowess.

“Have a look at our back line and they’re always working hard not to neglect their defensive responsibility, it makes it an easy job for me,” Fry said.

The natural in goals has fine-tuned his skills this season, doing extra training with his housemate.

Fry’s keen to play on Sunday, but he’ll certainly be content not to steal the limelight.

“The less I have to do the better the team’s going.”

Fry has no doubt that Junee are in a position to claim the premiership.

“I’m pumped, all the boys are, Henwood Park are a good team but if we play our best there's no reason we can’t win,” he said.

Fry has played for Junee since he was 18 and would love nothing more than to be in the first premiership team since 1975.