Port Douglas livewire Damien Williams has been anointed as his side's X-Factor ahead of todays AFL Cairns grand final against Saints at Cazalys.
Identified by rival coach Nick Braybon as "one they need to nullify", the darwin prodcut has been in scintilating finals form.
Williams, who spent two years at GWS before returning to the NEAFL with NT Thunder, kicked four crucial goals in Port's preliminary final defeat of South Cairns last weekend and five against North Cairns in the semi-final.
And Souths coach Daniel Lock has indentified him as the danger man Saints must watch out for too.
Lock could only watch as Saints then Port Douglas bundled his Cutters out of the AFL Cairns finals in straight sets this season.
Having licked his wounds after the disappointing defeats, Lock was kind enough to put the coaching hat back on one more time to dissect todays decided in six key points:
The Battle in the centre:
Its starts here and is a duel between Port's Tom Clough and Saints' Rory Walton. Both named on the ball in The Cairns Post's Team of the Year, they will be decisive in battle. Lock says: "Both are big ball winners and their head-to-head will be a good battle to watch."
Who marks Matt Walsh:
The Saints full fowrard has averaged 6.5 goal per game for the last nine years. While Port coach Brad Cooper remains coy on who will take him, Lock thinks the job will go to Ben McCartney and Declan Kelly. Lock says: "They aren't a one-man team by any means, but if Walhy is firing on all cylinders, they'll be hard to stop."
How to limit Adam Boone's impact:
Peter jarvie did the job on Souths' hulking forward Paul Smith and Lock thinks he'll get a similar assignment today. When Boone has been on song this season Port have gone to another level. Lock says: " He moves quite well for a big guy, was good on Smithy and i think this will be a quaility match up."
Who can hardness he X-Factor:
There is no shortage of talent on display today, but the Souths player-coach has pointed to two skilful forwards - Darwin product Damien Williams for Port and Saints' resident pilot Alex Macqueen - would could tip the scales back in their team's favour. Lock says: " Williams doesn't see heaps of ball, but bobs up in the forward line and hurts you. He is good on the lead but also good off the deck. And Al has a big workrate and hurts with his speed, smarts and skills."
Dealing with the elements:
A trademark Cazalys gale is sure to greet the players today, particularly early in the seniors game. As we've seen in recent weeks, the momentum ebbs and flows with the cahnge of ends and whoever can jag a goal against the tide celebrates hard. Lock says: " You want to kick with the breeze first and hopefully get a big head start, because the breeze usually drops as the day goes on."
Coping with the occasion:
Saints have made a habit of pulling out their best footy on grand final day, but Port are up for the task. Head-to-head its hard to read, given neither side has been at fullstrength when they have played previously this season. Lock says: " its going to be on of the closest games for a while. it will depend on who settles first, but I'm predicting a bit of a shoot out."
Lock's Tip:
Port to win by less than two goals and both teams scoring 90-plus points.
Last Modified on 23/09/2014 11:54