Griffith Swans reserve grade coach Dave Dunbar is happy for his team to claim the underdog status ahead of Saturday’s semi-final against Collingullie-Glenfield Park at Narrandera.
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The Swans only finished two points behind the Demons on the Riverina Football League ladder, but Dunbar insists all the pressure is on the minor premiers with a spot in the grand final at stake.
“I still think anyone can win it (premiership), but I reckon Collingullie is definitely the team to beat,” Dunbar said.
“They’ve been there and done that. They only won it a couple of years ago.
“The proof's there. They were the ladder leaders and they’ve been flogging most of the teams this year.
“All the pressure is on them. We’ve just got to turn up and do our thing and hopefully get the chocolates.”
The Swans won their first semi-final against Coolamon by 24 points last weekend, but Dunbar is preparing his team for an even tougher contest against the Demons.
The sides have already played each other twice this year, the ledger standing at one win apiece.
“I reckon it’ll be a really good game of football,” Dunbar said.
“I think we both match up really well. We’ve both got enough big bodies and we’ve both got a lot of quick blokes.”
In a blow to the Swans, captain Dean Catanzariti is set to miss the Demons showdown with an ankle problem.
Dunbar hopes to offset the loss by returning from his own injury and bolstering the experience level in his team.
“A lot of the boys in our side probably haven’t played in a big game like this before,” Dunbar said.
“Our captain Dean Catanzariti is out and he’s usually the one we look to (to lead the way). But a few of our younger guys just need to step up.
“It’s a big occasion, but we’ve just got to try and treat it like another game and take it week by week.”
Whichever team prevails on Saturday will enjoy a week off while the loser plays the winner of the Coolamon v Wagga Tigers clash.
Dunbar said a break at this stage of the season would be handy.
“I reckon that it would work out perfectly for us,” he said.
“We could hit the training park pretty hard the next two weeks. The week off would keep us nice and fresh.
“We’ve got a few older blokes who wouldn’t mind a week off, while for Dean Catanzariti it would give him every chance to make the grand final.”