THE Blue Lake Knights will look to make the ultimate comeback this weekend when they clash with the Warrnambool Raiders in Horsham for the 2017 Limestone Coast Rugby League semi-final.
A rocky start to the season saw the Knights under-staffed due to player shortage and injury, but recent rounds have seen the Mount Gambier squad turn its year around.
With the Knights sitting in fourth at the time, a win against the top-placed Naracoorte Jets in Round 8 marked the turning point.
This was followed by the must-win match against the Horsham Panthers in Warrnambool last week.
With the Knights claiming a monstrous 30-0 victory over the Panthers, they moved up to third position and with it, earned a meeting with the Raiders in the semi-final.
Reflecting on the season’s struggles, Blue Lake Knights’ coach Todd Lillecrapp said it had been a long journey to make it this far.
“Getting numbers to the games has always been tough,” he said.
“We have been building the squad and we have slowly got more players and dealt with injuries.
“To get to the semi-final is definitely a bonus and now we just have to see if we can get through this weekend.”
Lillecrapp believes the team will look good going into tomorrow’s clash, with players returning to the side after recovering from injuries.
“Everyone is looking fit,” he said.
“We have had some players away and some injuries which have now come good at the right time of the year.”
“There are still some niggles on some blokes, but we should turn up with a reasonably strong squad.”
Last time the Knights faced the Raiders it was at their home venue on Webb Street and it was only due to injuries the hosts failed to get over the line.
“We got within a couple of points and it was only the lack of numbers which let us down in the end,” Lillecrapp said.
“I cannot see a problem for this weekend, but we’ll just hope for the best.
“We just have to complete sets and keep up our work rate, then it should all come together.”
When asked of who he expects to perform tomorrow, Lillecrapp listed a few players who will be ones to watch, but he said it is the team effort which will see them across the line.
“Chris (Driver) has just had two weeks off, so I reckon he is going to be raring and ready to go,” he said.
“Lloyd (Pearce-Raisin) always puts in a great effort and Donnie’s (Donovan Wood’s) improvement over the journey has just been amazing.
“All the players have stepped up.
“From Jay (Mariano) on the wing, to Peniel (Kasole) on the other wing – all the players are putting in that extra 10pc.
“And the hard work has shown rewards.”
If the Knights win tomorrow, they will secure a grand final berth against the Jets, who they have proven more than capable against after their 29-16 point victory in the last meeting.
“I’d like to think we can go all the way,” Lillecrapp said.
“There’s a lot of belief within the squad.
“It’s just a matter of the guys focusing and doing what we work on in training.
“If we can put it all together on the day, there’s no reason why we cannot win.”
However, it will all come down to the result of tomorrow’s game, as the Raiders have shown they are not easily put down, recording only three losses for the season, opposed to the Knight’s six.
The Mount Gambier team will need to hit hard if it is to clear the final hurdle before the big game.
And this would make it a dream come true for the Knights, as they have overcome many obstacles on their way to the semi-final.
“We have been hard up against it all year,” Lillecrapp said.
“To start the season with such poor numbers – there were plenty of games where we had just the 11 players on the field and no reserves at all.
“To finally see some rewards with a couple of good wins later in the season has been good.
“If we are able to get to the final, it will be a win in itself.
“And if we see victory there, it will be well-deserved.
“The boys have worked hard for it.”
