It was a superb first up finals outing for the Stawell Warriors last Saturday, the question now is can they back this performance up in tomorrow's Wimmera Football League second semi final clash against the all conquering Horsham Demons?
Many had written Warriors off for this season's finals campaign, but Warriors answered the best way possible with that emphatic 93 points win over the Warrack Eagles, who had beaten Warriors at their previous encounter.
Warriors coach Dale Power was delighted with the opening to the finals campaign and why not? - ``Our focus and intensity was spot on and our skill level was good all day, we didn't drop off at all and maintained it for four quarters which is nice to see in a finals contest,'' he said.
Realising it all must happen again tomorrow Power said he will be emphasising to his players the importance of being able to back up after such an impressive performance last week.
More good news for Warriors going into tomorrow's clash at Horsham's Coughlan Park, is that they escaped from the qualifying final with no injury problems.
Dale Power was confident the league's top forward Brent Tuckey would return to the Warriors line up tomorrow after missing the past two weeks with a groin strain.
``He was a chance to play last week, but with the double chance it was decided he best have the extra week off,'' Power said.
Onballer Simon Jones, who has been troubled by a hamstring injury and forward Julian Carr, who has missed because of a dislocated knee, were to undergo fitness tests at training last night.
Jones, if fit, will be a chance to replace Mal Batsiua to top up Warriors quality smalls. Batsiua will miss tomorrow's clash as he will be representing Nauru in the AFL International Cup.
Back in round 13 it was the Warriors who inflicted the Horsham Demons first loss for the season, with a six point victory.
Dale Power said in this clash Warriors matched up well against the Demons opposition.
``Ben Williamson and Nick Thomas did a great job on their key forwards David Johns and Luke Carr, but with the team they have it is difficult to keep all their players down.
``It is important we win out in the key positions as they have quality players all over the ground.
``We also managed to control the midfield for most of the day limiting their scoring opportunities,'' he said.
In that clash it was evident the `tag' team of Power, Paul Hanns and Batsiua kept the dangerous Scott Batchelor under wraps and they were assisted by the ruck work of Jorah Margetson.
Margetson will be missing tomorrow and this means another youngster, Bryce Homden will need to hold his own against the Demons bigman Garrett Liston.
Not only will it be important for Warriors to keep the dangerous Batchelor under wraps, they must also hold the likes of Aaron Barnett, Stuart Farr, Jordyn Burke and Terry Arnel.
Warriors will need to run the Demons ragged in the hope Tuckey and Sam Anyon can finish the work off up forward.
Scott Nicholson, who produced one of his best games for the season last week, James Delahunty, Paul Hanns, Jack Duke, Ben Scott and Trent Leslie must also be at their best tomorrow to get Warriors over the line.
Weekend finals:
Tomorrow - Senior 2nd Semi Final (Coughlan Park in Horsham)Horsham Demons v Stawell WarriorsSunday - Senior 1st Semi Final (Central Park in Stawell)Warrack Eagles v Horsham Saints
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