East Gippsland FNL Grand Final preview

MATCH PREVIEW

Lindenow is shooting for its fourth senior premiership since 2011.
Boisdale Briagolong is yet to grasp an East Gippsland Football Netball League senior title. Who will make their mark in history?
The list of questions to be answered in tomorrow’s grand final is endless.
With victory, the Cats, if they already haven’t, will etch their name as the best team of the decade.
The Bombers, on the other hand, have been starved of senior success, their last triumph coming in the now defunct Riviera Football League back in 2001.
It’s been a long time between drinks at Bomberland, however they would appear ultra primed to end a long drought.
Who is going to answer the tough questions? Who will stand up and be counted? Who will be crowned 2019’s best?
Lindenow has been here before. It has climbed to the summit, but is it at the end of its tether?
Two thirds of the team have won a premiership, some multiple, but are they relying on too few?
Do the Cats have enough attacking firepower? Can they get the right defensive match ups? How do they stop Boisdale Briagolong ruckman, David McKean? Who goes to Bombers coach, Josh Stubbe, when he rests forward?
There are so many questions for the Lindenow brain’s trust. Two weeks ago they were manhandled by a strongly-built, precise ball using Boisdale outfit.
Every time it got it hands on the ball, Lindenow was swallowed in Bombers pressure. Down back they had little answer for the variety Boisdale threw its way – height, speed, strength, skill – the Cats were outpointed.
At the other end opportunities were scarce as the Bombers mopped up, rebounded swiftly and rarely turned the ball over. Boisdale led the pressure stakes around the ground, but particularly at the source, and with McKean dictating terms in the ruck, the Bombers were licking their lips. They very well may still be. Lindenow encountered a bruising Wy Yung side in a scrappy preliminary final last Saturday. The Cats will be sore. How will they recover?
It all makes for Boisdale Briagolong being the favourite heading into its first EGFNL grand final. It earned that tag thanks to its semi final dominance. However, you can never write off the Cats.
Lindenow does own a victory against the Bombers this year, but while it is licking its semi final wounds, beware the wounded Cat. Lindenow has a point to prove and will pose questions to the Boisdale chiefs.
Can the Bombers back up their semi final form having played just one game since August 17? Can they sustain the pressure so prominent in the semi? Will there be grand final nerves? Can they be present and not get caught up in the moment?
There will be pressure. Bombers supporters have been waiting a long time for this opportunity. They will be nervous. Will that energy be absorbed by the playing group?
Boisdale Briagolong will rightfully be confident, however so will Lindenow – it is not carrying such a heavy weight of expectation. Confidence will only get a team so far; execution is key.