The Penola Eagles are no strangers to the summit of the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association.
Mark Smith’s men are preparing for their fourth trip to the top in five years, but do not believe they have acquired the silverware to accurately represent their success.
Since lifting the trophy back in 2017/18, Penola has not tasted the same high since and has twice fallen short against North Sportsman’s.
But with the Tigers now out of the picture, the Eagles eye wrapping their claws around the Barber Shield once again.
Having secured the minor premiership and a Grand Final ticket with big back-to-back wins over Mil Lel, Penola captain Mark Smith has masses of confidence in his squad.
“There is a natural sense of excitement and this will be our fourth Grand Final in five years, so I think we are due to win one,” he said.
“The last few weeks have been the first time in a couple of years we have had everyone available, so we have had some consistency.
“Pending some sort of COVID outbreak we should have everyone available.
“We have had a reasonable year and it is good to be in this position, but there is still a lot of work to do.
“Finals is a momentum game and we are definitely bringing some of that into this weekend.”
Across a summer interrupted by COVID-19 Penola reigned supreme finishing on top of the ladder and being a consistent force throughout.
It was the only team to crack the 2000 run marker and a significant part was Jack Mullan.
Mullan is currently in the form of his life having scored 315 runs at 105.00 from his last three games and will be the number one target for the Bulldogs bowlers.
However, the East attack will carry some confidence having restricted the hard-hitting opener to two ducks from as many innings this season.
The Bulldogs have been the only team to enjoy an undefeated record against Penola this season and Smith believes the batters need to show better temperament against the likes of Alex and Ben Hentschke.
“We have had a bit of a problem at Penola with shot selection and throwing our wickets away,” he said.
“East have some really dangerous bowlers and we have not faced Kev (Thomson) yet, so we will need some plans to counteract him and be smart.”
But the bowlers still remain as potent as ever with new-ball duo Michael Waters and Lachlan Jones still among the wickets and they will look to use their contrasting angles to re-open some East scars from last summer’s semi-final.
Smith will also have the likes of Conrad Slabber, Josh Doyle and veteran all-rounder George Kidman at his disposal after they looked threatening in the recent games against Mil Lel.
Having been a premiership player in 2017/18, Smith knows what to expect in Grand Finals and anticipates a tough slog.
“It does not matter where you finished on the ladder, as long as you make finals you can be the winner, so it will go down to whoever handles the pressure and the mental challenge of a Grand Final the best,” he said.
“Both sides have plenty of match winners, so it just comes down to which team can settle in and take the heat best.
“We now have a side with a lot more depth in both disciplines than before, so hopefully we will be stronger and hungrier after losing last year.
“It will be an emotional thing for the whole community if we can get it done.”
