Lake Albert is looking to reverse recent grand final history when they take on Harlequins on Saturday.
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For the last four years the division one men’s team who went straight through to the grand final have come unstuck in the biggest game of the year.
This time around Lake Albert surprised the minor premiers to go straight through to the grand final.
Adam Boyd is confident they can overcome the recent hoodoo and claim their first title since 2014.
“I think we have the side to do it this year,” Boyd said.
“We’ve got some new players from different clubs from last year, including myself, and have a really good team with older players and younger players.
Not one to read into trends, Harlequins captain-coach Brendan Watson doesn’t believe any perceived grand final hoodoo plays into the clash.
“I don’t think that will make any difference on Saturday,” Watson said.
“I think it is just about who wants those loose balls and those 50-50 balls the most.
“That is what we focus on, being the aggressor and on the front foot.”
It is the 11th team in the last 15 season the two rivals while meet on grand final day, with the green team successful in seven of those including last year.
Lake Albert will also have to do it without captain Craig Knowles who is at the Australian Masters Hockey Championships in Lismore.
Boyd knows it will be a big loss.
“It is a huge loss,” he said.
“He is the voice of the team, that’s why he’s our captain, but we have a few blokes back from injury the the last couple of weeks and we’re starting to get a bit of momentum.”
Lake Albert scored a 3-2 win over Harlequins in the qualifying final and are unbeaten in their last seven games, but Watson is confident his team can hit back.
He thought the were rusty in the first weeks of finals, and after a 4-3 win over Harlequins in the preliminary final, doesn’t think too much has to change to come out on top this time around.
“I don’t think there was anything too major that we have to worry about, it was just a game where they wanted it more than us,” he said.
“As long as we are attacking those 50-50 balls this week we will be fine.”
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