By Gary Stocks

West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson said last week, after his team finals aspirations were thwarted by a result in another game, that in football you generally get what you deserve.

The Eagles push towards the final eight disintegrated when Richmond upset top team Sydney the night before their last qualifying game against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium.

His rationale was that if the Eagles had not dropped a couple of games during the season, when in a commanding position, it would not have come down to the last round.

If there is any justice, and you get what you deserve in this brutal game, regardless of the level, the Coast to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts will chalk up a victory in the first semi-final against Trinity Aquinas at South Oval tomorrow.

All year the North Beach colts have been a top three team, finished the year in the top two but courtesy of a loss in the qualifying final last week now have to get there the hard way. It is do or die every week.

The performance of the colts squad has been one of the highlights of the year for the Beach in a year when the club has been fractured – the colts training at one venue, the A-Grade squad at another and the lower grades back at the spiritual home, Charles Riley Reserve.

It has been difficult to retain a whole-of-club connection with the Beach temporarily based at Percy Doyle Oval, but through all of that the colts have adjusted and pushed on with the business of winning games of footy.

It was disappointing to see the Brett Jones Colts bundled out last week because they, too, enjoyed a good season. It was diminished slightly by bowing out in the first semi-final, but ultimately it was a successful campaign.

Winning the premiership is always the aim, but is not the only measure of success and those youngsters developed their skills and bought into the game plan of coach Chris Blakeney and had a positive experience.

Tomorrow Craig Dalton and his talented squad put it all on the line against Trinity Aquinas, a club renowned in recent years for the depth in its under-20 depth, but who might find it difficult to match the capacity of the Tigers on this occasion.

That the game is being played at South Oval (Curtin University) might be an advantage for the hard-running Beach outfit, who should enjoy the wide expanses of the ground. Conversely, TAs might find the adjustment from the saucer they play quite a challenge.

Nick Bowe, who had some exposure to senior football this year, Joel Brown, Jamie Rudrum and Alex Csar appeal as key play-makers for the Beach while Tom DeCourtenay has been a willing workhorse in the ruck for the past couple of years.

Down back, Brennen Irvine, Jack O’Gorman, Jack Dalton and Jarrod Chapman have been resolute while the likes of Ryan Ekert, Liam Ellis and Mitch Cameron provide some fire power up front.

The Express Bins E2-Grade will also play a sudden death final and for the third time in four weeks will clash with Willetton.

The Beach held something back when they played in the last home and away game of the year, despatched Willetton in the qualifying final, but after losing last week’s second semi-final, find themselves confronting a familiar foe in the first semi-final.

Novak Smith, who assumed the coaching mantle mid-season, has done an outstanding job with the troops and again, if you get what you deserve, they win and advance to the penultimate week of the season with the dream still alive.

Paul Cavanagh, Tim Grapiglia and Andrew Padgett will again be key players for the Beach, who will play at Percy Doyle Oval at 2.30pm.

Hopefully the Beach army will be out in force at both venues to give the boys a lift.

Fixtures:
Coast to Coast Imports Phil Scott Colts
North Beach v Trinity Aquinas, South Oval, 10.40am
Express Bins E2-Grade
North Beach v Willetton, Percy Doyle Oval, 2.30pm