Friday 27 August 2010
Morningside are not fretting about their record at Fankhauser Reserve approaching the QAFL qualifying final at Southport on Sunday.
All Panthers coach John Blair is hoping for is that little bit of finals time luck that every side needs to reach a grand final.
The Panthers are seeking back-to-back flags under Blair for the second time this decade, but have a shaky record at Fankhauser.
The Panthers can point out that they have won two of their last four matches there, although they had no success in 16 years prior.
“At the end of the day, it’s an oval with four posts at each end, four umpires in the middle and 36 players on the ground,” Blair said.
“Whether it’s a big ground or small ground, you’ve still got to put your head over the footy and run – nothing really changes. You can talk all the clichés, but at the end of the day you’ve still got to compete.
“It comes down to who has got the better courage and skills to handle situation, (and) has luck with injuries and everything else.”
The triple premiership coach knows that various factors affect a finals campaign.
“Who wins the toss sometimes can be vital, especially at Southport with the breeze,” he said.
“Historically, the first week or two of the finals there has been a high 20s, low 30s day. Sometimes it happens on the Sunday, sometimes on the Saturday – it just depends which club gets what roll of the dice.”
