THE pain of previous grand final defeats will fuel Mater Dei Catholic College for Wednesday's Carroll Cup final.
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Mater Dei have lost the past three Carroll Cup finals to arch-rival Kildare Catholic College but will meet a new opponent in The Riverina Anglican College (TRAC) in this year's decider.
TRAC will be searching for just their second Carroll Cup title in the school's history and do so with a team led by AFL Riverina Championship best and fairest winner Matt Hamblin and All Australian under 16 forward Sam Stening.
Mater Dei captain Kyle Hockley said the pain of the last two finals losses will be a source of motivation on Wednesday.
"For sure, it does add fuel to the fire. It definitely did hurt the last couple of years so that's a bit of motivation and we're looking forward to it," Hockley said.
Mater Dei kicked a goal with about 20 seconds remaining to win the previous meeting between the two schools in the pool rounds.
Hockley said that result gives Mater Dei confidence heading into the final.
"Yeah we're pretty confident, obviously winning the last game but TRAC are going to be better prepared and are going to step up for the grand final obviously so we're going in pretty level headed," he said.
"The key is just being tough because TRAC have a lot of bigger bodies in the air, they'll take a few grabs, they've got good key position players so we've just got to match it with them and be physical."
For TRAC, the desire to bring the Carroll Cup to the school's trophy cabinet for just the second time burns deep inside.
"It would be amazing feeling being the second premiers for the school," Hamblin said.
"With us losing the first game against them, we didn't play overly well and they did win with a goal with 20 seconds to go so I can see us being right in it and give us a fair chance.
"We've got a full side (on Wednesday) and hopefully we can put four quarters together, playing as one."
There is no spectators allowed at the final.
CARROLL CUP FINAL
MATER DEI CATHOLIC COLLEGE v THE RIVERINA ANGLICAN COLLEGE
5pm at Robertson Oval
Mater Dei
B: M McLeod, X Heeney, Z Randal
HB: K Hockley, J Mooney, L Grigg
C: T Adams, H Wichman, A Curry
HF: W Clark, H Gilmore, B Wallett
F: J Lucas, N Mooney, H Wooden
Foll: K Priest, A Grigg, W Hamblin
Inter: J Ferguson, W Adams, W Hurst, E Grigg
TRAC
B: S McNaughton, R Hunter, D Treharne
HB: T Isaac, C Burns, B Leary
C: E Weidemann, B Glanvill, G Okerenyang
HF: B Glyde, S Stening, B Lewington
F: J Perryman J Manly, L Fellows
Foll: G Okerenyang, M Hamblin, S McCready
Inter: (from) G Carn, R Collins, L Hart, E Wright, C Hamblin, L Bruckner, C Bourne, T Howard, J Heeney
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