by Mickyj » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:12 am
from the mail
Gowans are on a mission to keep their mouths shut in the SANFL Grand Final against the Eagles at AAMI Stadium from 3.10 today.
But it might prove a "mission impossible" for the champions of backchat who tip they will be targeted by the Eagles' agitators and the umpires, who are instructed to take control early - which usually means clamping down on aggressors.
The Bulldogs will go into their seventh consecutive Grand Final unchanged from their 36-point second semi-final win over the Eagles.
The Eagles made one change, bringing in wingman Luke Jarrad for unlucky Vince Rugolo after contemplating a surprise move of debuting forward Jared Petrenko, 16.
The Gowans twins have both won Jack Oatey Medals as best-afield in a Grand Final, so they know what to expect and how to handle it.
"We know they (Eagles) are going to try to suck us in," James said. "During the year we're a bit more easy to get pulled in, but not in a Grand Final. We tell ourselves before the game 'don't do anything stupid'. If we show the way and attack the ball and attack the body, I think the young blokes will follow."
Chris outlined succinctly the reasons why, saying: "Usually we're not too bad in Grand Finals . . . there's a bit bigger prize at the end of this."
The extra stresses of a Grand Final are not lost on fellow onballer Matthew Slade who, with the Gowans, has played in five premierships since the Dogs breakthrough season in 2000.
Slade acknowledged the trio had to lead by example, but he would not indulge in talk of this clash being a walk in the park for the Bulldogs, who have denied the Eagles the flag four times since 2000.
"We know we're a good chance, but we definitely don't take anything for granted," he said.
"It is an advantage to having so many people who have played in a premiership before, so the (debutants) can go to just about anybody for advice."
The Eagles are not without steely experience and downright toughness, with uncompromising Joe Pedler and Mark McKenzie still stinging from losses to Central in the past two Grand Finals.
The Eagles will start underdogs, but that might bring with it the freedom to just have a red-hot crack and play with the flair and creativity that won them the minor premiership for the first time since 2000 - and two big minor round wins over the Bulldogs.
Pedler takes rubbish from nobody and he said experience had taught him important lessons to pass on to rookie Sam Hier, playing his first league Grand Final.
"(Experience) definitely matters," Pedler, who played his first league Grand Final in 2001, said.
McKenzie said it was time to be excited. "We've had a very good season and when it's mattered we've be able to win the game, and we can do it again," he said.