With a finals spot already in the bag, Rupertswood had nothing to lose going into the final two rounds of the RDFL season.
The first contest was against second-placed Macedon on Saturday, and then they take on third-placed Riddell this week. The Sharks knew – win, lose or draw – they would still be in fifth position at the end of the regular season.
Earlier in the season, the Cats ran all over the Sharks in the final quarter. On Saturday, the Sharks made sure history didn’t repeat itself, this time holding on to win 13.9 (87)-12.4 (76).
Coach Kevin Fitzgerald said his side had learnt its lessons from close matches earlier in the season.
“We’re learning a lot about each other, and controlling the game, and what to do in certain situations. We were a little bit better at it today.
“I think once you’re ahead on the scoreboard there’s a lot more options … if you’re chasing, it’s a lot harder to do,” Fitzgerald said.
“Definitely happy we were ahead, but we shouldn’t have given up as many goals as we did in the last quarter.”
The usual standouts such as Brett Chambers, Brent Swallow and Todd Podolczak were best on ground, but many younger Sharks stood up under the pressure when the Cats attacked late in the game.
“Patty Scanlon didn’t have the best day, but in the last quarter he was able to do some good things,” Fitzgerald said. “Billy Cannolo [who kicked three goals] was really good, and they are the future of the club.
“Luke Cannon … is another.”
The Sharks know they have nothing to lose this week against a Bombers’ side they defeated earlier in the year.
But they will have to wait and see the extent of Chris Kaye’s hand injury, while Dylan Featon will miss several weeks after hurting his ankle while training with the Calder Cannons.
Joel West and Steve Burlak are due to return either this week or for the first week of finals.
West, who missed Saturday’s win because of concussion, is a real advantage for the club.
“He can mark it and kick it, and he wins own ball in the middle. He’s not just a tap ruckman, he gives us another onballer,” Fitzgerald said.
“Jordie [Braddy] has been a lion-heart.”
The Sharks will face Broadford or Riddell in an elimination final in two weeks.
The race for sixth spot will go down to the final round after Lancefield and Sunbury Kangaroos won on Saturday against Woodend-Hesket and Romsey, respectively.
Both sides are equal on 32 points, along with Wallan.
