Gold Coast SUNS VFL Head Coach Josh Drummond is two days out from the biggest day in the club’s short history as he gears his side up to battle Werribee in the 2023 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final at IKON Park.
Drummond acknowledges the privilege of earning a spot in the final game of the season and has left no stone unturned in preparing for the match.
“A great time of the year to still be alive obviously,” Drummond said.
“You work so hard to get as far as you can in a season and now we are at a point where we know this is our last game of footy for the year.
“We have prepared really well to give us every chance,” he added.
The SUNS will be without captain James Tsitas through suspension, however Drummond emphasises the team-first attitude at the SUNS whilst also confirming two major inclusions.
Jim ‘Frosty’ Miller medal winner Brodie McLaughlin and defensive rock Jake Stein will be available for Sunday’s Grand Final after a positive training session on Thursday with Drummond highlighting that everyone has a job to do.
“The great game we play throws up different curve balls all the time,” Drummond stated.
“We missed a couple of important players on the weekend and the team got the job done.
“We don’t rely on anybody, we rely on everybody.
“Brodie trained well so we are expecting that he and Jake will play.
The last time the SUNS faced Werribee was in Round 9 where the Tigers stole the game in the dying seconds to walk away two-point winners.
Drummond says his side are focused on the controllable and playing a SUNS game style, but recognise the dangers of the Werribee outfit.
“They are not a one trick pony… they have had an incredibly impressive season and their work around the football is outstanding,” he said.
“We know what our strengths are and what their strengths are and we feel like if we go away from ours, like any good team they are going to come in and take advantage from it.”
Drummond says that last year’s Preliminary Final exit, although disappointing, has helped quicken the development and maturity of the younger players.
“We feel like the last couple of years with some great finals experience our younger players are getting so much out of these (experiences)… they are growing,” Drummond stated.
“This week is a great opportunity to put it all on the line, we know what is at stake against a great team and let’s see what we have got.”
First bounce is at 3:10pm but if you are unable to attend the game you can watch all the action on the Official AFL App, 7Plus & the Seven Network (check your local guide).
The match will also be shown at the Fifth Quarter Bar at Heritage Bank Stadium prior to the AFLW fixture on Sunday evening. Gates open from 2:30pm with free entry until 4:15pm.
