Stratford Football-Netball Club senior coach Jarryd Clohesy is one for one, leading the Swans to the 2022 East Gippsland Football-Netball League Grand Final in his first year as coach.
Finishing second on the EGFNL ladder with 12 wins and six losses, Stratford faced ladder leaders Wy Yung in the Second Semi-Final, and the odds were not in their favour.
Heading into the finals, the Swans were yet to beat the Tigers, having lost 12.12 (84) to 7.8 (50) in Round 17, 12.7 (79) to 10.7 (67) in Round 10 and 15.14 (104) to 10.4 (64) in Round 3.
They say in finals anything can happen, and Stratford showed this notion to be true, claiming their first 2022 victory over Wy Yung in a heart-stopping 12.9 (81) to 12.8 (80) game of finals football.
By quarter time, the Tigers had kicked a quick eight goals, tallying up a comfortable 36-point lead, but returning to the field, the boys in red and white upped their ante, regaining the game in such a way as if to say to Wy Yung, ‘Not a chance mate, this game is ours’.
“As a team, we played really good,” Clohesy said.
“Except the eight-goal start to them at quarter time. For the boys to realise there was a bit of a wind and to regroup after quarter time and to come out and play the footy that we know we can play was ideal.”
Clohesy is hoping the Swans can replicate what they did in the last three quarters of the semi-final for the full four quarters tomorrow.
“It is definitely, definitely the type of footy I hope to play in the Grand Final,” Clohesy said.
“Respect our opposition, whoever that may be, and from there, we work off, spread hard and play our own game of football.”
Wy Yung beat Lindenow 13.11 (89) to 5.10 (40) in the Preliminary Final, and will once again meet Stratford, this time fighting for the title of 2022 premier.
Heading into tomorrow’s game, Clohesy says the Swans will be focused on their disposal under pressure, maintaining possession of the ball and a clean game of football.
“No stupid frees, nothing to give the opposition the chance to get back in the game,” Clohesy said.
“I think we’ve got the side and the ability to win it as long as we do everything in our power to do that.”
Jack Bacon, Haydn Erfurth, Tim Hawkins and Andrew Scott are the players to look out for tomorrow.
“If Jack Bacon gets off the changes, he’s gonna be hard to handle … Haydn Erfurth at full forward (as well),” Clohesy said.
“We’ve got a lot of great boys, Tim Hawkins, Andrew Scott, two of our forwards, we’ve got a really good forward line, so if we can get it to them and they get their opportunity, they will be the ones to watch.”
Stratford faced multiple injuries throughout the season, losing players for three or four weeks, and as many as 10 players out of a game at a given time.
Persistent injuries created difficulties for the side, with Clohesy confirming the Swans have fielded “34, 35 different people over the year”.
“I think a lot of those kids coming through really stood up, one in particular Alex Morcam,” Clohesy said.
“He played one senior game last year, and I think he came third in our best and fairest this year.”
While Clohesy says his side harbours many distinguished players, Stratford’s ruckman Lincoln Toner, who was recently awarded the EGFNL’s Best and Fairest, has been an undeniable consistently outstanding performer for the Swans throughout the 2022 season.
Regan Tait and Bacon have also been two of Stratford’s best players this year.
“Our back six have been quite formidable all year as well,” Clohesy said.
In a very successful first year as coach, Clohesy says it is “definitely a pretty good feeling”.
But modesty is not in reserve when it comes to Jarryd Clohesy, accrediting Stratford’s success to the many dedicated club members and, of course, the boys donning the Swans guernsey.
“We’ve got such a good bunch of people around the club, committee members, our president, secretary, which makes my job a hell of a lot easier; all I’ve got to do is be able to coach,” he said.
“And the playing group we’ve got are quite easy to deal with, so it makes my job very easy as senior coach.”
Will the Swans fly away with the win, or will the Tigers pounce on the premiership cup? Just one more sleep and East Gippy’s best will be revealed.
