Calm Burns Keen To Keep Fairytale Going

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday September 1, 2007

By TIM KEEBLE

BERRY-SHOALHAVEN Heads captain-coach Trent Burns wants the Magpies to follow his lead in tomorrow's Group Seven final against Shellharbour at Mollymook Oval.

The Magpies lost to Shellharbour in last year's final but are confident lightning won't strike twice.

Ahead for the winner is a grand final showdown with unbeaten premiership favourites Albion Park-Oak Flats.

Berry are sweating on the fitness of injured fullback Lloyd Williamson, while five-eighth Jono McCormack is definitely out.

Burns said he was too nervous in last season's corresponding clash and is expecting to be far more composed tomorrow.

"Last year I was a bit edgy and nervy and we probably played like a nervous side," the former Australian schoolboys representative said.

"I learned from last year and this year I feel a lot more relaxed and I'm not thinking about it all the time. The nerves will be there on Sunday but I'll be a lot more focused and it's up to me to set the tone for the team.

"There's only four blokes left from last year's team so we've done well to get this far again. I've just got a feeling we'll be calmer and more clinical this time."

Berry split their season meetings with the Sharks and believe they will have their measure tomorrow.

After winning a play-off for fifth spot, the Magpies have survived sudden death finals against Milton-Ulladulla and Gerringong.

"It's been a bit of a fairytale but there's loads of self-belief among the boys and we still think there's improvement in us," Burns said.

"We are adding to our story with each win and we don't want the book to close this week."

Injuries kept five Shellharbour players from training during the week but co-coaches Neil Michell and Peter Ellis expect their team to be at full strength.

The Sharks are coming off a heavy major semi-final loss to the Eagles.

"We're playing cutthroat now. Lose and you're finished," Michell said.

"We're 1-1 with Berry so far and they're on a bit of a roll so they won't be easy. We just have to concentrate on our own game and tidy up a few areas from last week.

"They've got a few danger players but we can't just focus on our two or three blokes or the others will burn us.

"There's extra incentive for us because we've got a home grand final to look forward to if we get through, and we'd love another shot at Albion Park. But we can only worry about Berry."

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

Back to News Index | Back to Home