By LIAM TWOMEY
THURSDAY night’s Foxtel Cup grand final will pit two of Australia’s strongest and proudest state league clubs against each other.
The Werribee Tigers sit third on the VFL ladder and are preparing for a finals assault under first year coach Scott West.
Keeping things in the cat family, the Claremont Tigers are on top of the WAFL ladder and looking to avenge last year’s Foxtel Cup final loss to Williamstown.
If Werribee needed any indication it was in for a tough encounter, it came when Claremont dismantled VFL powerhouse Port Melbourne to the tune of 50 points to book its spot in the big game. With the respective clubs located more than 3000km apart, scouting has proved a tough task and Claremont coach Marc Webb is hoping some of his VFL contacts may be able to give him a helping hand.
“I’ve seen a few of their Foxtel Cup games,” Webb said.
“But I guess the big thing about scouting and looking at teams is that it all depends on what players they bring over. At different times we have rested key players and I’m sure at different times Werribee has as well.
“I guess I might be able to speak to a few people I know in the VFL but it all does come down to what team they might bring and if they get their Kangaroos’ boys. Then you get a bit more of an indication.”
Claremont will be given the ideal preparation before the final with last week’s top of the table clash against East Fremantle providing finals like intensity.
While admitting that the WAFL season was the most important thing on his club’s mind, Webb said his players were looking forward to the challenge of competing in the Foxtel Cup.
“We haven’t mentioned it much but it is one of those things in that when it does come around in the week, you do look forward to it,” Webb said.
“I think it is a good opportunity to play a side that’s up there in the VFL as well and has some quality players.”
For Werribee, travel concerns and player recovery will be the biggest talking points of the week with the Tigers forced to jet off to Perth for the mid-week game.
After taking over the Tigers at the start of the season, West has barely put a foot wrong with his new side.
Thursday also marks his first chance to claim a piece of silverware as a senior coach.
Werribee comes into the match having defeated Queensland-based team Morningside by 71 points. “We have had a little bit of a look at them (Claremont). They will have a sprinkling of some West Coast and Fremantle players through their side and some talented ex-AFL players so it is going to be a really tough game,” West said.
“It’s more about managing our list. We have an eye on this and also an eye on the VFL season. We have to be pretty mindful of that and make sure that if we have got players in doubt or who are sore we need to make sure that we manage them for the longevity of the season.
“You don’t get too many chances to play in these sort of games, so hopefully we can field a pretty strong team.”
The final starts at 9.30pm on Thursday night.
