Collingullie-Glenfield Park coach Luke Gestier wants to put Griffith under the pump in Saturday’s second semi-final at Narrandera Sportsground.
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Griffith have gone through the home and away season undefeated and their last meeting against Collingullie-GP were one of the rare occasions this year that they were seriously tested.
Gestier wants to ask the questions of the Swans on the big stage on Saturday.
“We’ve just got to keep asking them questions across four quarters and keep ourselves in the game,” Gestier said.
“What we want to do and what most sides have struggled to do is start well against them.
“If you can put them on the back foot then you’ll have them questioning what they’re all about and no one has been able to do that for four quarters this year.
“The key is to ask questions of them and get them second guessing themselves.”
The Demons have pinpointed Griffith coach Will Griggs and classy midfielder Jordan Iudica as two men they want to shut down on Saturday.
Gestier said the pair can expect close attention.
“Definitely, Iudica is one of their biggest keys and another one for me is Griggs across half-back,” he said.
“Dereck Singe played on Griggs last time and will probably get the job again. Iudica, I don’t know if you would say it’s a tag but it will definitely be close checking, not just shake hands and catch you at the end of the game.
“We’ll definitely look to nullify them for sure.”
While openly stating their intent, Gestier was not giving as much away about how the Demons will line up on Saturday.
Marc Geppert moved to centre-half-forward and Blake Harper to full-forward in the second half last week to great effect as the Demons came from behind to down the Lions.
Gestier said they may try that set-up again against Griffith.
“We’ve got to look at different options,” he said.
“Last week we broke down a lot at centre-half-forward. Gep will play there in patches and Blake will start down back but probably go forward at times. We’ll try a few options.”
Significantly, the Demons lose Jayden Klemke and key defender Joe Byrnes to hamstring injuries.
Klemke hopes to be available next week if required, while Byrnes is expected to be right for grand final day.
Nick Kennedy will come into the side after missing last week with hamstring tightness, while Tim Beckmans is a 50-50 chance to return from a hamstring injury.
“He trained on Tuesday and is a legitimate 50-50 chance,” he said.
“If he doesn’t come up. we’ll pull someone up.”
Gestier began a running program this week in his bid to return later in finals.
“All the injured blokes are doing everything right. They’re doing recovery and everything they can,” he said.
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