It’s been a long time coming, but Jacana will play finals for the first time in the Essendon District Football League.
The club last tasted finals football in 2000, its last year in the Riddell District Football League, when it won the division 1 premiership.
Since then, there have been a lot more downs then ups for the Jaguars.
Coach Aaron Collins said it was a relief to make the top four of the EDFL’s division 2.
“The monkey is off the back,” he said. “It sets the tone for the club going forward in the next few years. Everyone is pretty excited.”
“It started a few years ago with Matthew Sacco [former coach] and he changed the club a lot.”
Collins knows his players have to step up a level if they want to be competitive in the finals. They were disappointing against another finals side, Roxburgh Park, on Saturday.
The Jaguars were completely outplayed to go down 19.18 (132) – 8.4 (52).
“They brought finals-type pressure and we weren’t ready for it,” Collins said.
“It was a whole other level. We were hoping to have same sort of pressure, but it wasn’t there.
“Our tackles were down and was disappointing from that aspect.”
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The Jaguars also finished the game with no bench.
“We took two players off as precautions … Josh Wilkinson and Bryce Dodge also came off injured and I’m not sure of the extent of their injuries.”
Collins said Aaron Austin down back and Billy Morrison in the ruck were his side’s best players.
Jacana will now meet Moonee Valley in an elimination final at the weekend.
And with little finals experience in the side, Collins plans to use those players who have played in finals, including Matthew O’Rourke and Chris Johnson, who missed the match against Roxburgh Park.
“We are undoubtedly looking forward to Chris coming in the side and we’ll use all his knowledge,” Collins said.
“Matthew O’Rourke has played in grand finals with other clubs in the last four years, while Eddie Edis has also played finals.”
Collins said the side was confident of a finals victory.
“We need the same type of pressure that Roxburgh Park had,” he said.
“The boys are aware of what you need to bring.
“To get a second final we would be absolutely rapt … we’d like to get another crack at Roxburgh Park or Hadfield.”
Roxburgh Park’s win means it finishes second on the ladder and will play Hadfield at the weekend for a place in the grand final.
The loser of that match will play the winner of Jacana and Moonee Valley.
