Roxburgh Park believes it’s in a better spot heading into finals than in the past two seasons in Essendon District Football League division 2.
The Magpies have made the preliminary and grand finals in consecutive years but then haven’t been able to match it with the bigger bodies.
The Magpies topped the ladder this season with 15 wins and three losses and play East Keilor in a semi-final this weekend for a spot in the grand final.
Magpies president Jason Bolitho says they have learnt some valuable lessons from the two setbacks.
“There are no certainties in football, but I’d hope in the past two years we’ve learned some valuable lessons.
“Last year we were a fairly young side with small bodies.
“Coming up against Jacana and Hadfield maybe intimated our boys a bit.
“A lot of the younger guys have got another year under their belt, and we got a couple of bigger bodies in the middle.”
Bolitho says the club this season has more depth across all three of its teams, with all playing finals.
“The last couple of years we’ve got injuries at the wrong time,” he said.
“This time, apart from a couple of players, we have a pretty fit list and we’ve been able to cover injuries a lot better.”
The Magpies finished the regular season with a 12.14 (86)-6.7 (43) win against Jacana on Saturday.
“It took a while to get going and we knew Jacana was missing a few players” Bolitho said.
“We tried a few different things to fine-tune things ahead of the finals.”
Luke Capuano kicked three goals for the Magpies, while Jamie Grant was judged best on ground.
Bolitho says the seniors are looking forward to this week’s semi-final.
“East Keilor beat us the first time we played them and then we’ve won the next two matches,” he said.
“They’ve got some dangerous boys in their side and have to be watched closely.
“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves and we won’t be taking it easy against any of the top four sides.”
In division 1, Craigieburn and Tullamarine will face off in the main semi-final for a spot in the big one.
Both finished the regular season with wins, against Westmeadows and Northern Saints respectively.
Westmeadows will play Oak Park in the other semi-final.
