Freier Glad To Have A Crack At Woods
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday October 4, 2004
Eastwood 49 Manly 25
The dull ache of last year's grand final loss still remains for a Randwick side that found a modicum of comfort in Eastwood's victory over Manly on Saturday, with the Woods qualifying for a rematch this weekend.Randwick lost the title clash last year to the Woods, succumbing 29-14 to a superior side, but this time the Galloping Greens enter the final match strongly favoured to take the title and are pleased the chance to reverse last season's result has been offered."I actually said that after the game on Saturday to Chek [coach Michael Cheika], that I think we'd prefer it that way," Randwick hooker Adam Freier said yesterday. "Maybe revenge is too strong a word, but because of last year we're definitely happy to play them this time."Cheika was coaching the first grade side for the first time with co-coach David Knox last year, and the former Randwick stalwarts were devastated by the loss in their inaugural season."There was definitely a lot learnt last year, most importantly by me," Cheika said. "This year we've had the benefit of that loss and what we found out about ourselves then, and we've really benefited from that experience."That experience saw the side demolish Eastwood by 42 points more than a week ago to qualify for the grand final at Aussie Stadium this Saturday, but after viewing the Woods' 49-25 win over Manly to also make the grade, Randwick expect a vastly different game from the major semi-final clash."They had some late changes to their side against Manly and they adapted really well to them, they definitely stepped up," Freier said. "And I think Tim Donnelly was much better in that game than he was against us. We really expect a much tougher game, particularly with the likes of Donnelly stepping up and Scott Fava returning; he didn't really play against us because of that [heel] injury."Eastwood were remarkably well positioned after defeating Manly, the entire team turning up to yesterday's recovery session in good shape for the final week of the season. Fava is expected to train fully on Tuesday night, and Wallabies prop Matt Dunning reportedly might make the side after running well in Wallabies training last week, though medical clearance is yet to be secured.The Woods even hope to have centre Al McDonald available, with the hamstring he injured in the warm-up on Saturday being ably tended by his wife Mel, the team physiotherapist.McDonald's withdrawal forced a shuffle in the back line with Dave Azar coming in and playing superbly at outside-centre against the Marlins and, with the powerful running of No.12 Christian Kerisiano again a focal point, Eastwood coach Chris Hickey has a selection dilemma looming in the centres.For Randwick, prop Adam Walsh is still an uncertain prospect as he recovers from a dislocated kneecap suffered in the win over Eastwood, but regular five-eighth Brent Kelly is expected to be fit to return to the side in some capacity this week.Whether Cheika decides to use the pivot from the start or off the bench, with Shaun Berne once again at No.10, remains to be seen. The coach also has the luxury of a fully-fit complement of back-rowers, with Dwayne Haare and Chris Houston both in good shape for the game.Manly, who bowed out in third position after going down to the Woods, are now the fifth team of 12 in Sydney to be searching for a new coach after Brian Melrose accepted a position as back-line coach with the NSW Waratahs Academy.Melrose lifted Manly to the status of serious contenders over the past two years and, despite failing to qualify for a grand final, at least one of the team's goals was realised."Our mission was to change the perception of the competition and change the top three teams, and we achieved that," Melrose said.In good news for the Waratahs, centre Nathan Grey, captain for the upcoming tour of Argentina, was cleared of any serious injury after being stretchered from the field against Eastwood and taken to hospital. The Australian international suffered some bruising but remains in good shape to lead the development tour, which begins on October 14.
© 2004 Sydney Morning Herald