Campbelltown City Kangaroos coach Liam Fulton knows his team will have their hands full when they take on Thirlmere Roosters in the 2017 Group Six grand final tonight.
The Wests Tigers premiership winner says that with some former NRL players in their ranks, the Roosters will be a formidable opponent.
But he is confident his Kangaroos, who will be appearing in their first grand final in 34 years, will give it their best shot.
Fulton, in his first ever gig as a senior rugby league coach, won’t give too much away on his game plan for the game, which will kick off at 7pm at Campbelltown Stadium.
But he does admit that he has been channeling his former mentor at the Tigers, Tim Sheens.
“I didn’t even realise I was doing it but afterwards I’d think, yeah, that’s what Tim used to do,’’ he says during an interview with the South West Voice early this morning.
“Tim actually sent me a message telling me how to prepare a footy team for a grand final.
“But I am also in contact with Todd Payten and he has been giving me plenty of advice as well.’’
Which means tonight could be a battle of wits between Thirlmere’s onfield NRL contingent and the Kangaroos’ coach and his experienced connections in Sheens and Payten, who is also close to coaching first grade.
Fulton says there will be no excuses tonight because apart from one front rower he has a full quad to select his 17 for the decider.
“We will be at full strength,’’ says Fulton.
“They have very good halves, we know that, and we have a game plan.
“But it will boil down to us playing to our potential,’’ says Fulton.
“This has been a pretty good year, an enjoyable year for me and the players.’’
He doesn’t say it, but all it needs is a bit of icing in the form of a victory over Thirlmere.
