Midfield battle will be the key: Geppert

GUN Collingullie-Ashmont-Kapooka full-forward Marc Geppert has labelled winning the battle of the midfield as “crucial” to the Demons’ chances of taking out the Riverina Football League premiership at Narrandera Sportsground on Sunday.

CAK will square off with minor premier Coolamon in the grand final this weekend and Geppert (pictured) insisted the game – and therefore the premiership – would more than likely be won in the centre of the ground.

“The midfield battle will be crucial,” Geppert said.

“Whoever comes out on top in the middle will probably win it.

“The team that gets their hands on the ball in there first will give their forwards the most chances.”

The duel between the two engine rooms should be a cracker with Coolamon’s centre led by its skipper Jamie Maddox and Ryan Chamberlain while CAK will rely heavily on Jim Quinn Medallist Chris Gordon and veteran Chris Gow.

CAK’s midfield has done a magnificent job this season and it has helped Geppert reach the magical 100-goal milestone with the star forward having slotted 109 majors heading into the grand final.

Geppert admitted it would be a tough challenge for CAK’s midfield but praised the Demons’ ball-winners for their performances this season.

“They’ve (midfield) had a real good year,” Geppert said.

“Gordo (Gordon) won the league medal and Chris and Shane Gow have been really good in there and so has Jayden Klemke.”

At 27 years of age Geppert is already considered a grand final veteran with the classy left-footer having played in six and won five premierships.

Geppert won two premierships with Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong in 2005 and 2006 before winning three in a row with CAK in the Farrer League in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and finishing runner-up last year when the Demons were beaten by 39 points against Narrandera.

Despite his grand final experience Geppert admitted he still felt the nerves before the big game but said it was an exciting time for the players and the club.

“Definitely (feel nervous) the week seems to go forever,” Geppert said.

“You sort of can’t escape it with everyone talking about it but it is definitely exciting.

“It is exciting for the individual but also for the club and all the supporters and the people at the club who do all the work behind the scenes.

“It would definitely be a good one to win and we are halfway there because you can’t win them unless you are in them.”

Geppert is rated as the best forward in the Riverina and the CAK star has had another sensational season in front of the big sticks with his 109 goals.

Geppert said he had been pleased with his form and was aiming to fulfil his role on Sunday.

“My form has been not too bad but over the last month my accuracy has been a little bit disappointing,” Geppert said.

“Hopefully when I get the opportunity this weekend I will go back and be able to put them through the big sticks.

“I rely on the hard work of the guys up the ground and I want to make the most of their hard work and kick well.”

CAK has played three finals to reach the grand final with two wins over GGGM and a narrow nine-point loss to Coolamon in the second semi-final.

After brushing aside GGGM by 40 points in the preliminary final last weekend, Geppert said CAK was happy with its form leading into the grand final.

“Our form over the last six or seven weeks has been really good,” Geppert said.

“We had some really good wins at the back of the season as well.”

Coolamon has got the better of CAK each time the teams have played this year and Geppert admitted the Demons would need to play to their absolute best to topple the Hoppers.

“They will be very hard to beat,” Geppert said.

“They have come out on top each time we have played them and we haven’t beaten them this year.

“It will be a big challenge but anything can happen in a grand final.”

Coolamon finished the home-and-away season with just one loss to its name and won its way through to the grand final by beating CAK in the second semi-final.

Previous meetings

Second semi-final

Coolamon 9.7 (61) d CAK 6.16 (52) at Narrandera Sportsground

Round 4

Round 15.7 (97) d CAK 13.13 (91) at Kindra Park

Round 13

Coolamon 13.4 (82) d CAK 8.11 (59) at Crossroads Oval

RFL grand final schedule – Sunday, Narrandera Sportsground

Under 17s, 9am

Wagga Tigers v Temora

Reserve grade, 11.30am

MCUE v CAK

First grade, 2.15pm

Coolamon v CAK