David HardingEvery match a must for North
August 29th 2010 05:10
Sourced: The Mercury - The Voice of Tasmania
by Adam Smith
HE precedent was set last year by eventual premier Clarence, but North Hobart utility Cam de Gooyer admits winning the State League title from outside the top four is a huge mountain to climb.
Clarence successfully played four elimination finals in a row to capture the inaugural TSL flag last year.
However, if the Demons are to repeat history, they need to go one step further with another week added to this year's finals series.
Last week North Hobart passed the first stage when it recovered from a 42-point deficit midway through the second quarter against North Launceston to overrun the Bombers.
Today's clash against Glenorchy in the second elimination final at Bellerive is the Demons' next test.
The Magpies enter the match having knocked off the Demons in all three matches this season, but last week's victory has instilled a new-found belief to the North Hobart camp.
"We've been run over a fair few times this year. Last week was one time we have pegged back a side ourselves," de Gooyer said.
"A lot of people had written us off.
"Them [Glenorchy] knocking us off three times hasn't lowered our self-belief that we can beat them, they are under the pump to win as well. We have known from the start it is cut-throat every game.
"It is a hard ask, but if you can get through the first couple of weeks it can be anyone's ball game going into the remaining three weeks of the finals.
"We have to be in our best form for five weeks. If you are in form, you can go all the way."
After coaching Lauderdale last season, de Gooyer returned to North Hobart to concentrate on getting his body right following a frustrating year with injuries.
Having been the Demons' "Mr Fix-It" for much of the year he can play pretty much any position on the park the former Tassie Devil will again be an important cog for his team against the Magpies.
"It's been really enjoyable. It's my first season I've got through uninjured in four or five years. The body is feeling good," he said.
by Adam Smith
HE precedent was set last year by eventual premier Clarence, but North Hobart utility Cam de Gooyer admits winning the State League title from outside the top four is a huge mountain to climb.
Clarence successfully played four elimination finals in a row to capture the inaugural TSL flag last year.
However, if the Demons are to repeat history, they need to go one step further with another week added to this year's finals series.
Last week North Hobart passed the first stage when it recovered from a 42-point deficit midway through the second quarter against North Launceston to overrun the Bombers.
Today's clash against Glenorchy in the second elimination final at Bellerive is the Demons' next test.
The Magpies enter the match having knocked off the Demons in all three matches this season, but last week's victory has instilled a new-found belief to the North Hobart camp.
"We've been run over a fair few times this year. Last week was one time we have pegged back a side ourselves," de Gooyer said.
"A lot of people had written us off.
"Them [Glenorchy] knocking us off three times hasn't lowered our self-belief that we can beat them, they are under the pump to win as well. We have known from the start it is cut-throat every game.
"It is a hard ask, but if you can get through the first couple of weeks it can be anyone's ball game going into the remaining three weeks of the finals.
"We have to be in our best form for five weeks. If you are in form, you can go all the way."
After coaching Lauderdale last season, de Gooyer returned to North Hobart to concentrate on getting his body right following a frustrating year with injuries.
Having been the Demons' "Mr Fix-It" for much of the year he can play pretty much any position on the park the former Tassie Devil will again be an important cog for his team against the Magpies.
"It's been really enjoyable. It's my first season I've got through uninjured in four or five years. The body is feeling good," he said.
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