THE fierce rivalry between Ararat and Stawell enters a new chapter on Sunday in the Wimmera Football League.
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For the first time since 2003, the two teams will meet in a final and it is set to be a mouth-watering clash at Horsham City Oval.
Ararat coach David Hosking isn’t expecting a repeat of the result from back in round nine, when the Rats thumped the Warriors to the tune of 72 points.
“We’ve always rated Stawell, right from the start of the season,” Hosking said.
“If you look at their list, they’re not dissimilar to us. They’re probably a year behind us in development. We were in a similar position last year in terms of wins, losses, ladder position and consistency.”
The Rats coach warned that his side will need to be switched on ahead of Sunday’s do-or-die final.
“If we turn up without being competitive and not at the top of our game, we’ll lose. If we do play well, we’ll be in a good position (to win),” Hosking said.
What is a concern for Ararat is its injury list, which has unsettled the team in recent weeks. However, the Rats expect to regain veteran Mick Fratin following a week’s rest while Brayden Ferguson is also in the mix following a return from concussion.
Jake Robinson (ankle) is also penciled in to play, while Jake Williamson (knee) is doubtful. Brady Miller (illness) and Harry Ganley (concussion) have been ruled out.
While the Rats lost to Horsham Demons in the final home-and-away match, there is a lot to like about the side. Gordon Laurie booted three goals against the Demons, and he’ll relish the return of Fratin in the forward line.
Justin Summons has been solid in the ruck and will most likely go head-to-head with Stawell’s Shane Field, while Ararat defenders must be wary of Warriors’ boom recruit Jack Musgrove.
Musgrove booted nine goals in Stawell’s 66-point win over Nhill last week and Hosking was unsure who would line up against him on Sunday.
“It depends on his size. If he’s a big, key position player it could be Liam Cavanagh or Stephen Phillips, if he’s mid-size it could Xander (Laidlaw) or if he’s smaller, it may be Sam Shalders or James Hosking. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
Did you expect to be playing Stawell in the finals?
“Yeah, we did – a few weeks ago, we looked at the draw and look at they were going. It was no surprise to us,” Hosking said.
- Horsham co-coach Nick Pekin received a two-match ban for his bump on Ararat’s Harry Ganley last Saturday. Pekin was reported for forceful front on contact and faced an independent tribunal on Wednesday night.