Warriors 2008 season is on the line tomorrow when they step out in the Wimmera Football League's preliminary final at Murtoa.
From here on in there are no second chances, a loss to the Horsham Saints tomorrow and Warriors premiership chances are shot!
Warriors missed on the easy ride into the grand final when they struck out by that 13 points margin to the Horsham Demons in last Saturday's second semi final.
Warriors coach Dale Power said Warriors had been overrun by the Demons in the final term.
``When we got 13 points up it appeared they decided to go for it at all costs. They won the ball and didn't give us a sniff. We didn't get the ball into our forward area for the last 15 minutes of the game, they played like they wanted it more,'' he said.
Good news for Warriors was they escaped with no real injury problems.
Power himself missed the second half with an ankle problem, but he is confident he will play tomorrow.
Brent Tuckey and Simon Jones who both returned last week after injury, pulled up well according to Power.
Talented forward Julian Carr, who has missed a number of games after dislocating his knee, played in the reserves and Power said he is likely to come under consideration for tomorrow's clash.
The three Nauran players Mal Batsiua, German Grundler and Otto Adam will also be available for selection tomorrow.
Adam has missed games with a hamstring problem, but he has shown good form in Nauru's International Cup matches in Melbourne.
Despite the second semi final loss, Dale Power is confident his Warriors can hit back tomorrow and win out against the Saints.
The Saints have certainly turned their season around. Who would have thought after Warriors gave them a first round thumping to the tune of 124 points and then rolled them by 48 points in round two, they would be lining up in a preliminary final?
Power is aware of the Saints dramatic turnaround in form. ``They have improved, they looked good last week against the Warrack Eagles.
``They are a much stronger and more physical team than the Eagles, they have size all over the ground. They have a good midfield in Nathan Clough, Matt Hoe and Health Kelm and they have Gavin Kelm up forward,'' he said.
Power is right on the money, it will be vital Warriors midfielders control the match. Ben Scott, Paul Hanns, Simon Jones, Scott Nicholson and Jack Duke will need to put a hold on Clough, Hoe and Kelm.
With a midfield in control Warriors forwards Brent Tuckey, Sam Anyon, Trent Leslie and Julian Carr if he gets a recall, will have every chance to kick a winning score for Warriors.
Warriors defence led by Ben Williamson, James Delaunty, Nick Thomas, Power and Tom Newton will also need to be at their best to hold out the Saints forward thrusts.
Dale Power believes Warriors skill level, strength up forward and consistent form in defence will see Warriors hold out the Saints tomorrow and move into a grand final showdown with the Demons.
Possible Warriors line-up:
Backs: N Thomas B Williamson T NicholsonHalf Backs: T Newton J Delahunty D PowerCentres: J Duke I Rathgeber F GreeneHalf Forwards: S Field J Carr B ScottForwards: S Anyon B Tuckey T LeslieRucks: B Homden S Nicholson P HannsInterchange: (from) J Thomas, J Freeland, S Jones, D Coventry, J Davis, A Clayton.
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