GRETA’S Jack Humphries says his team must contain King Valley’s forward line of Brendan Sessions and co in Sunday’s elimination final at Benalla Showgrounds.
Roos’ spearhead Sessions has kicked 88 goals this season, the second most in the competition.
“The delivery to the forward line will be crucial,” Humphries said.
“They have some good targets up there.
“Sessions is one of the best forwards in the league so he’s one we need to limit.
“They also have several others who can contribute on the scoreboard.”
The teams finished the regular season with the same win-loss ratio of 11-7, with the Blues claiming sixth on percentage.
Greta is desperate to go one better this season after being knocked out in the first week of finals last year, losing to Whorouly.
King Valley returns to finals action after narrowly missing in 2010 after finishing ninth behind Greta.
Humphries, 28, said he had high hopes now that his team had made the finals.
“As a team, we sat down at the start of the year and said another finals appearance was an achievable goal,” Humphries said.
“But hopefully we can go one step further and win a final this year,
“I’d like to think we could make a bit of a run at it but we’ll have to wait and see.”
Humphries is in his second stint at the Blues.
He returned after two seasons in the Ovens and Murray at Wangaratta Rovers.
He has been one of his team’s most consistent performers, booting 37 goals while featuring in the team’s best 14 times in 18 games.
“I’m happy with my year,” Humphries said.
“It’s been good to have a consistent injury-free run and I’m looking forward continuing on this week.
“It’s going to be a very tough battle.
“I think the game is going to be won in the midfield.
“They have some very good players in there in Jono Rea and Ben Primmer so we will have to watch out for them.”
“But our on-ballers in Dan McLaughlin and Chris Sherrat have had great years so we’ll be hoping they continue on that way.”
Greta has won both encounters against King Valley this year, winning by 27 points in round 1 before claiming a 23-point victory in round 14.
Humphries however doesn’t think it will be as easy this time round.
“The last game against them was really tough and was close all day,” Humphries said.
“They were up at half-time but we came back in the third quarter and got ahead before pushing on in the last.
“Young guys like Zach Cleeland and Shane Graham down back for us have been terrific all year so if those guys keep playing the way they have been, we should have a good chance.
“We don’t have any major injury concerns, although Brendan Van Schaik got knocked out in a contest at the weekend.
“He should be fine to play so we will most likely field a full-strength side.”
BY - JUSTIN JENVEY.
25th August, 2011.