AN outstanding attitude has been the catalyst for a dominant season for Thomastown, according to senior coach Dean Sinclair.
As his side prepares to face Reservoir in the 2014 Division 3 Grand Final on Saturday, Sinclair said the playing group has come a long way since he returned to the club at the beginning of the year.
After a third-place finish under Steve Krstevski in 2013, the Bears have gone on to win 16 out of a possible 17 matches this season.
“We really emphasised on having the right attitude this season, and the boys have been fantastic,” Sinclair said.
Preparing for the club’s first Grand Final since 2008 – when the Bears upset Macleod to win the Division 2 premiership – Sinclair believes it will take a team effort to combat Reservoir’s potent forward line.
Ashley Flavel, David McGregor and Toby O’Meara have combined for an impressive 144 goals this season for the Mustangs, with Sinclair admitting the forward line could cause some headaches on Saturday.
“We need our back six to be on guard, but we also need to apply pressure to the ball carrier and not allow them easy shots on goal,” he said.
“I have a lot of confidence in our style of play though and our ability to kick big scores.”
Thomastown holds a 3-1 ledger against their Grand Final opponents this season, with an average winning margin of 69 points.
The loss back in Round 10 saw Flavel and McGregor combine for nine goals, as the Mustangs blew the game open with a six-goal to one second quarter, before holding on for a gripping 10-point victory.
Although Thomastown has had three very comfortable wins against Reservoir, that loss back at Main Street Reserve remains a reminder of what their Grand Final opponent is capable of once it gets on a roll.
“They are obviously a very good side. It comes back to attitude,” Sinclair said.
“You need to have the same attitude for four quarters.”
One man who won’t be playing on Saturday is Thomastown skipper Anthony Fazzari, who suffered a knee injury in the final match of the home and away season against Heidelberg West.
Despite being unable to feature in the Bears finals assault, Sinclair is adamant that Fazzari’s presence off the field has been just as valuable.
“It’s obviously very disappointing for Anthony,” Sinclair said.
“I coached him back in 2008 when Thomastown won the flag so I have known him for quite some time.
“He is always out on the track helping in whatever way he can and really supporting the team.
“It’s his first year as captain and for a pretty young guy he has done an exceptional job."
Fazzari being appointed as captain was one of a number of changes the Bears had during the off season.
Those changes also included a new coach walking through the doors, as well as a face lift to the leadership group following the departure of former captain Michael Manley.
Sinclair believes the changes in the off-season have given the club a very healthy environment that has allowed the playing group to excel throughout 2014.
“It is a place where everyone is enjoying playing their football and everyone wants to be here,” he said.
“I couldn’t be happier being back at the club.
“Hopefully we reward ourselves on Saturday.”
The Bears will enter the Grand Final as favourites, but Sinclair is well aware that they must bring the same attitude and intensity that they have all season if they are to be crowned premiers.
