The Pinjarra Tigers won’t be feeling any extra pressure when they head into this Saturday’s grand final against Waroona with the tag of minor premiers on them, according to captain Dean Beswick.
After finishing the year in top spot and claiming the early advance through to the grand final, the Tigers will head into the game as narrow favourites over a rampant Demons outfit.
But Beswick said his side would treat the game the same they do any other.
“We go in as the minor premiers but really that means nothing,” he said.
“Obviously it’s super exciting for us to be back in the big dance, but we’ve got a pretty experienced group so I don’t think there’s many nerves.
“At the end of the day we just have to execute the plan and win the game.”
Beswick has already won a pair of premierships with the Tigers as part of their 2013/14 squads, but the captain said a win this year would be a special one for the club.
“At the end of last year we were pretty disappointed with how things went,” he said.
“We had a review of the season in the leadership group and set ourselves a few goals like finishing in the top two, winning the first final, and making the grand final.
“We’ve ticked all those boxes so now we just have to tick one more.”
The sturdy defender co-captained Pinjarra’s 2014 premiership campaign, but will head into this year’s big dance as the club’s sole captain for the first time.
But the added leadership responsibility won’t be a factor for Beswick.
“There’s really no extra pressure at all because the group we have is so experienced and professional,” he said.
“When you’ve got a group of guys that have played so much footy together, I think we all know our role.”
The grand final kicks off at 2.30pm, preceded by the colts (9.45am) and reserves (12.10pm).
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
