Brett Eddy (1/22) bowls against Hawthorn-Monash University before rain denied the Swans a possible outright victory on Saturday.By Ben Hope
CASEY South Melbourne finished fourth on the ladder in the final round of the first XI Victorian Premiership League, its first finals position in 20 years.
Swans coach Mark Ridgway said there was a positive mood at the club heading into their first qualifying final games this weekend.
“We are ecstatic with the win, things are good,” Ridgway said.
“It’s been 20 years since the team has made it to the finals. The team has been at Casey for five years but it has been 20 years for the Casey-South Melbourne Club so it is pretty exciting for everyone.”
In their last game before the finals the Swans were looking for an outright win against Hawthorn-Monash University but the six-point victory was enough to keep them in the top four teams.
Casey-South Melbourne declared at 9/180 in the first innings in reply to the Hawks’ 111. Last weekend Matthew Hawking (5/28) and a determined South Melbourne side had Hawthorn-Monash University 8/107 after 59 overs before the rain set in and ended the day.
The best the Hawks could muster came from Joshua Henry (23) and Simon Black (20) after openers Josh Hillier (10) and Aaron Dragwidge (12) went out in quick succession.
“I’m not disappointed we couldn’t get the outright, you can’t do much about it,” Ridgway said.
“We certainly had them made; the game was all but over.”
The Swans will train hard this week ahead of a home game against Carlton this Saturday and Sunday.
“I’m expecting us to win,” Ridgway said.
“We will go in without any preconceived ideas. If we keep playing good cricket we will win, if we don’t, we will lose – it’s that simple.”
Joining the Swans in the final eight are last year’s premiers Ringwood, St Kilda, Melbourne, Carlton, Geelong, Frankston Peninsula and Prahran.
“I think we have a pretty even competition this year,” Ridgway said.
However, when asked which was the team to beat in the finals, Ridgeway remained confident in his team’s chance at the top spot. “Casey-South Melbourne,” he said.
