The Deniliquin Wanderers are set for their Greater Bendigo Men’s League two semi-finals berth on Sunday against Echuca-Moama Border Raiders.
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Kickoff is set for 3.15pm at Moama’s Jack Eddy Oval.
The side qualified for finals ahead of their last home and away season match last weekend, away against Castlemaine Gold.
The dead-rubber was a goal-fest, with the Wanderers going down 6-8.
With finals already locked in for the club, Wanderers goalkeeper Matt Crothers said the match took on more of a social competition feel on Father’s Day.
“It was very friendly, no-one was taking it too seriously,” he said.
“Everyone was still running and passing, but we only had seven players make it over.
“They had players that wanted to fill-in and play, so it all worked out, and they were very appreciative that we made it over there for their last game of the season.”
This weekend will be a slightly different story, with the Wanderers now playing for a spot in the grand final.
And to meet the competition’s minor premiers at their home ground will be a challenge.
All finals will be held at Moama this weekend, with the other semi-final between Swan Hill and Strathfieldsaye Colts taking place directly before the Deniliquin and Echuca-Moama match.
The Border Raiders have lost only once and drawn once this season, from 16 games.
The Wanderers have played Echuca-Moama three times this year and were defeated each time.
The scorelines read 5-9 away in April, 2-5 away in June and 1-3 at home in August.
However, Crothers said he is bullish about the Wanderers’ chances.
“I’m expecting a win. Everyone is very confident.”
“The guys who went to Castlemaine worked out a few kinks, and we should have our full team.
“We should be able to put our best foot forward.
“We know we can defend, and each time we’ve played them we’ve had a lot of possession. It’s just goals in the back of the net (we need to get).
“I’ve told the guys to make getting on the board early a priority, and take the opportunities to make the easy passes off across goals.
“We need to make them bring it to us. That’s the position we want to be in.
“We know we’ve got some back against them before. We know we can do it, we just have to take our early opportunities.”
Player profiles are as follows:
1 - Matt Crothers: On his third comeback from retirement, he is the John Farnham of the group but not quite the oldest member of the team. First registered for the Wanderers 31 years ago and is a life member. Coaching this year as well as playing keeper, Matt is the last line of defence for the Wanderers.
2 - Leslie Otieno: New to the club this year, Leslie is one of two under-16s players making the step up to the senior team this year. Leslie plays striker and has scored frequently. Always looks like he has the ball on a string, and we all marvel at how easily he moves through opposition defences.
3 - Jacob Hird: Another veteran of the team, Hirdy has the ability to fill in wherever he is required. A former president of the club. Without him, we would not have a football team representing Deniliquin.
4 - Tanaka Maunganidze: Playing left back, Tanaka has an amazing ability to run down opponents and stop attacks dead in their tracks. One time this year an opposition striker had a 5m head start on Tanaka from a through ball, but he made up the ground and beat the striker to the ball by at least 5m.
5 - Sid Sunar: Another defensive player, Sid joined the team mid-way through the season. A great addition to our defensive lineup, Sid can hold up players which allows the rest of the defensive line to regroup. Sid can also play on the wings in midfield, and has set up many attacking plays with his abilities.
6 - Lungani Nyembe: Another new addition to the Wanderers line up this year. Lungani played his first game in centre midfield, and played so well that we have not moved him all season. Lungani has a unique ability to be in the right place at the right time, and somehow score goals that the rest of the team thought impossible.
7 - Masen Brain: Our team captain, Masen has really come of age as a striker this year. Masen doesn't just score goals, he attempts to break the goal net with his shots. Some of Masen’s goals this year have been truly spectacular.
8 - Bongani Mkosana: A midfield and defensive player, Bongani is a rock when he is on the field. He finds the tiniest of gaps in opposition line-ups and plays passes through those gaps, putting his teammates in the perfect position.
9 - Babis Banet: A midfield and wing player, Babis is a new addition to the Wanderers’ line up this year. Babis has teamed up well with Masen, moving the ball down the right wing and crossing it into the centre of the goal box. On many occasions this year, Babis has impressed and won players’ player from his teammates’ votes.
10 - Lucas Thompson: The younger of the Thompson brothers playing, Lucas has owned the left wing this entire season. Like the other under-16 on the team, Lucas seems to be able to hold the ball in situations no-one thinks possible. He runs the ball down that wing, and then drives in towards the goal.
11 - Mark Rourke: A veteran of the club and former coach, Mark is a brick wall in defence. He can read the play like a book, and cut off attacks before they even happen. His insights into strategy have also been extremely useful this year.
13 - Dipesh Kandel: Another new face to the Wanderers’ line up, Dipesh started this season in centre midfield. He moved to sweeper for one match and played his best game of the season, cementing his spot as sweeper for the rest of the season. Dipesh uses his speed and skill to stop attacks dead in their tracks.
14 - Hamish Baker: A striker and right wing, Hamish is another player who can take a ball from the halfway line all the way to the goal. He ties in well with the midfield, and scored many goals this year - just not from the penalty spot. Hamish is a valuable member of the line-up.
15 - John Haig: Known as Johnboy to everyone on the team, John is a veteran defensive player and former president. He holds his own in the right back position, and is always available when called upon. Another member that has been instrumental in keeping the Wanderers’ club alive.
16 - Oscar Thompson: Started the season tentatively, only playing away games, and ended up cementing his spot in defence. Our go to at right back, Oscar’s large presence seems to intimidate opposition players who lose the ball when he gets close.
17 - Brad Scroop: Our veteran defensive midfielder, Brad still controls the centre of the pitch. A pivotal player that can work in with defence and attack, acting as that transition point between the two halves of the field.
18 - Kaleb Johnson: Another new player this year, Kaleb has stepped into the club as if he has been here for years. He is the tallest player on the field. With his preferred position on the left wing, he has set up many goals with his runs towards box and crossing it in.
19 - Anot Maunganidze: A utility player who prefers midfield and striker, Anot gets targets by opposition defences because of his ability to slip through and threaten the goal box. Anot has also stepped up this year and refereed a few matches, allowing us to play at home. It’s a critical role that enabled his teammates to play.
20 - Cameron Donald: Joining late in the season, Cameron started tentatively in defence. He really stepped up in our home match against Swan Hill, defending brilliantly. A master of the slide tackle, Cameron will be a defender for the Wanderers for years to come.
21 - Ben Butcher: Hailing from Tatura, Ben's commitment to the club is admirable. Playing in centre back, he's not allowed to play anywhere else because he has mastered it. Ben and Dipesh work well together and cover each other. We couldn't ask for better defenders.
22 - Steve Baker: Making a comeback out of retirement this year, Steve comes on as a ‘super sub’. Playing up front, you can always count on Steve to hold the ball and lay it off in the perfect position for other teammates to continue the attack. Playing with his son this year has to be a highlight of his football career.