Halls Head, Baldivis gear up for ‘special’ Anzac Day clash

The annual tradition will enter its 10^th year with both sides still searching for their first wins in season 2017.

Halls Head president Mick Lally said the game gave players a connection with the importance of Anzac Day.

“Outside of any finals we play it’s our club’s biggest day for the season,” he said.

“We really value playing on Anzac Day. Specifically it gives our younger kids a connection with the day and allows them to play footy on a bigger stage.

“We will go to the dawn service with our players earlier that day and then hopefully play some good footy that evening.”

Baldivis head coach Craig Hamersley said the game brought out a fierce competition between the two sides.

“The occasion certainly makes each side want to win that bit more,” he said.

“We really look forward to it every year. It’s a special day for the entire country so to be able to be part of the day and be out there playing footy is special to us.”

But despite the big occasion, Hamerlsey hopes his side will remain composed to grind out their first win of the year, after suffering losses to Rockingham and Mandurah in the opening two rounds.

“We really just need to get our first in the win column and get the ball rolling,” he said.

“We’ve had a bit of a slow start but we I don’t think we’ve played bad football by any means.

“It’s probably a matter of mentality more than anything. I think if we work hard and improve our two-way running we’ll be able to get our first.”

The re-building Halls Head will also go into the game searching for their first victory of 2017.

The Lightning were competitive in their first half against a deadly Pinjarra outfit in round two, and will be a chance to snag an upset win over the Brumbies if they can stretch that form to a four-quarter effort.

Both sides will be playing for the Stand Down Trophy with a spirit award medallion given to the best on ground, presented by the Dawesville RSL sub branch.

The reserves, colts and a junior game will be played before the league clash, which is scheduled to start at 5.10pm.