By Jed Lanyon
Healesville Football Netball Club’s veterans team have qualified for their third consecutive grand final and are hoping to finally secure the premiership that has eluded them in the previous years.
Healesville captain Ryan De Munk is urging the Healesville community to come along to Don Road Sporting Complex on Saturday 10 August at 6.30pm to boost the home ground advantage against Gembrook-Cockatoo.
“There’s going to be a good crowd here, so I’m excited to see lots of faces here supporting us.
“I’m looking forward to it starting and getting involved in the excitement pre-game.
“It’s a combination of excitement and anxiousness… I’m excited at the prospect of winning but anxious about losing three in a row.”
Gembrook-Cockatoo’s semi-final went to overtime, where they defeated Mount Evelyn by one point.
“We’ve got a good record against them… The big ground suits them as well as us.
Coach/player Dean De Munk said the message at training was all about preparation in the lead up to the big game.
“We want to continue to do what we do well, and that’s to work hard.
“We’re all about work ethic but to have fun as well… And we plan on having some fun on Saturday night.”
He said that many of Healesville’s veterans had been at the club for over 30 years.
“90 per cent of the team would have played juniors and seniors football for Healesville over the years.
“It’s pretty special to be playing footy with your brother and your mates.
“To play a grand final on your home ground is very special. But it won’t mean a lot if we don’t win it.
“I’m really looking forward to grabbing the tallest ladder I can and nailing my boots to the highest point I can find to hang up the boots for good.”
Healesville defeated Gembrook-Cockatoo in both of their previous meetings earlier in the season.
