Lake Albert veteran Hayden Callander wasn’t the first choice goalkeeper last season, nor was he the second.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In fact, if you’d told him he’d be keeping in a Pascoe Cup decider this time last year, he probably would have laughed it off.
But things have a funny way of turning out and Callander will be the man charged with keeping Lake Albert’s ambition of an undefeated premiership in check against Young in this weekend’s upcoming Pascoe Cup grand final.
“I reckon I’d kept in five games before this year,” Callander said.
“I filled in for Tinny (Mitch Tinnock) twice last year and maybe a few times before then but we didn’t have a keeper to start the season this year and I said I’d put my hand up.”
The 39-year-old has since taken to goalkeeping like a duck to water, conceding just 12 goals in 19 games this season.
“I think I’ve been learning all year but I think that stat’s mostly down to the boys defending in front of me,” Callander said.
Now, the reborn goalie has just one game standing between him and an incredible seventh premiership with his beloved Lake Albert.
“We won it 2005, 2006, then the double in 2010 and 2011 plus 2016’s win … but I’d still say I’ve got a perfect record because I didn’t come off the bench during last year’s loss,” Callander joked.
A jack of all trades, Callander also played a full season in defence for Lake Albert’s Gardiner Shield side but is now fully focused on Sunday’s decider.
“I think there’ll be nerves, excited nerves, but that’ll all go away once we score.
“If we can get up early, I reckon we’ll go well.”
More Football Wagga News:
While you’re with us, did you know that The Daily Advertiser is now offering sports and local events as part of its growing email newsletter service? Our sports email will keep the sports-mad up-to-date with a round-up of all the weekend’s sports action - sign up here.