South aims to wind back flag clock

By Teo Pellizzeri

September 18 2009

Shepparton News

Shepparton South will be premier almost 10 years to the day of the club's breakthrough 1999 title if it can defeat Shepparton United in the Goulburn North East Football Association grand final this weekend.

The Southerners head to Tatura Park with a perfect threewins-from-three record against United this year and the chance to end a premiership drought that has stretched since 2001.

Coach for South's three-peat at the turn of the millennium was Paul Amadei and the manager has brought that winning touch back to the club in his return season this campaign.

But a Shepparton United team that toppled reigning premier Shepparton in last weekend's preliminary final presents a difficult task.

"We've got one more game to go and we have to find that something extra," Amadei said.

"It'll be nice and tight early on and there will be some physical stuff. I would expect United to make some big tackles and I've told our younger blokes that's to be expected."

South's leagueleading scorer Stuart Vance has not scored any of his 22 goals against United this year.

But Amadei said Vance's impact on the Blues' backline still played a vital role in helping the Southerners score.

"Stuey will probably attract the best defender, if not two," Amadei said.

"He didn't score in the qualifying final, but he took the defenders away, when he flicked the ball across goal there was (John) Stokes by himself.

"United defended well in that game, but you win by scoring goals."

The Southerners have no injury concerns for their best line-up, with premiership player Anthony Nicolaci in the mix while Vance and Connor Campbell have played in premierships with Shepparton.

"Personally I haven't thought about winning because in the end this is a team sport," Amadei said.

"I just want Shepp South to get over the line."