Footy club bound for glory
AJAX coach Bernie Sheehy isn’t big on speeches. Far from lacking a sense of occasion, the veteran mentor’s reticence is a mark of faith in his players and their single-minded resolve.
“I’m not a big one on things being all that different,” Sheehy says of the lead-up to this weekend’s grand final against minor premier Werribee.
“I couldn’t tell you the number of offers I’ve had to speak to the players: last Thursday night, Saturday morning, or team meetings on Friday, but I’m not convinced they’re [speeches] necessarily the way to go about [motivating the players].”
But while it’s business as usual at the club this week, a recent poor record against the Tigers, including a 47-point thrashing in the second semifinal, has Sheehy promising some surprises come game day.
“I think we’ll try some different things,” Sheehy says, refusing to elaborate.
But it will likely be little more than a tune-up, especially when you consider the Jackas’ game plan yielded a remarkable 15 wins and three losses from 18 starts in the regular season, and a 119-point shellacking of Old Camberwell in last week’s preliminary final.
Changes to personnel also appear unlikely, with Sheehy admitting skipper Jason Ritterman was only a 50/50 chance to return from injury after missing last week’s win.
The Jackas boss says there was “more than a passing reference” to last year’s heartbreaking preliminary final loss to Beaumaris in the lead-up to his side’s demolition of the Wellers, but insists the 2006 grand final disaster, which saw AJAX lose to St Bedes by a point after leading by 47, doesn’t haunt his players.
The challenge couldn’t be greater for AJAX and Sheehy knows it. Werribee has dominated the Premier C competition in 2011, finishing the season on top of the ladder with a staggering percentage of more than 200.
The Tigers have enjoyed a week’s break after sweeping AJAX aside in the second semifinal and will be raring to go. But AJAX took the honours when the two sides met in round 4, and while Sheehy admits they will be a different prospect on the weekend, he says there are lessons to be learned.
“I remember the things that we emphasised and concentrated on, and the fact is we did it.
“They’ve been the best team all year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t beat them. Especially in amateurs, often the team that’s been dominant all year doesn’t win the grand final.”
REPORT: Adam Kamien
PHOTO of coach Bernie Sheehy
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