Football
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
WEST Griffith under 18 coach Rhys Jones expects a few selection headaches as his squad returns to full strength for the Champion of Champions decider against Glenhaven in Blacktown on Sunday.
Wests won through to the final of the statewide knockout competition with a 1-0 victory over Terrigal United, despite missing a host of key players.
With the likes of Robbie Rimmer, Luke Rimmer and goalkeeper Jacob Seers returning for the Glenhaven showdown, Jones said it would be difficult settling on a starting 11.
"We're going to have a full squad this week, so that makes it harder for myself selection-wise," he said.
"The boys who played the semi-final will get first (crack).
"But we've got quality coming back, so we're going to be strong in all areas for the final."
Jones is expecting a close contest against Glenhaven, which plays in the Gladesville Hornsby Football Association and won the State Cup earlier in the year.
But if Wests can reproduce the form they showed against Terrigal United last Sunday, Jones believes his side will prevail.
"The side we played from the Central Coast (Terrigal United) were the best side we've played all season," he said.
"But I thought we dominated the game.
"Their coach came came up afterwards and said we were the best football side they'd played against.
"For someone to say that to us, especially coming from the city, means a hell of a lot to the boys."
Not to mention Jones, who will do his best to keep any nerves at bay on Sunday.
"I always try to stay calm," Jones said.
"If the boys sense that nervousness, they can take it on the field with them.
"Once they're out there, I'll look to our captain Steven Zalunardo to keep the boys going.
"He's done it for the whole season. I couldn't have asked for a better captain than him."
Wests are a close-knit team, and with some players leaving the side next season, Jones said there was plenty of incentive to win.
"The likes of Jacob Seers and Damon Mazzarolo won't be playing in the 18s next year," he said.
"They'll want to win this game so they can look back and say we had the best under 18 team in the state this year."