THE Bendigo Fighting Miners will be chasing a fifth premiership in six years when they tackle Border Army in today’s Victorian Rugby Union country division grand final in Wodonga.
Border will start favourite after its victory in the major semi-final on home turf against Bendigo a fortnight ago.
The coaching staff of the Fighting Miners will be calling on all the finals experience that the side has accumulated over the past four premierships, to lift the side’s tempo and determination in pursuit of a fifth premiership since 2003.
Vice-president of the Bendigo Fighting Miners, Ashley Hindson said today’s clash would be the club’s 16th grand final appearance in its 38 year history.
“The record stands at 10 wins and five runner-up,’’ Hindson said.
Bendigo will also be striving to keep its name on the Coulter Cup as the only side that has won the trophy multiple times, as Border Army won the cup in 1999. Also going in Bendigo’s favour is that no side has won the Country 10-a-side trophy and the premiership in the same year.
After a poor showing in the major semi-final in Wodonga, the Fighting Miners gained a few handy inclusions and celebrated a 41-0 win in last Saturday’s preliminary final against Deniliquin at Shadforth Park in North Bendigo.
A huge plus for Bendigo’s will be that Border Army will not have seen the half back and five-eight combination of Steve MacDonald and John Jefferies at all this season. With these two players available, it allows Bendigo coach Nick Dehnert to move captain Trent McGilchrist back into the forwards.
McGilchrist has a key role to play in the lineouts as Bendigo was outplayed by Border Army in that facet of the game the last time they met.
The Bendigo skipper is aiming for a fourth grand final victory.
Bendigo front powers Travis Henderson and Nick Poingdestre are eyeing a fifth premiership.
They were part of Bendigo’s amazing run to the title in 2003.
Bendigo will need to shut down the Border Army backline, which will move the ball wide at every opportunity.
Although Border Army will start as favourite, Bendigo’s discipline, hard running and finals experience will be key factors in trying to claim another premiership.
Kick off will be at 3pm today at the Bandiana Army Barracks in Wodonga.