Coach Luke Beard has urged his players to continue the journey as the Navexa Geelong United men chase a berth in the Big V Youth League One championship series.
After sneaking past Camberwell in last week’s elimination final, United will travel to Broadmeadows on Sunday for a meeting with Hume City.
The winner will earn a berth in the best-of-three grand final series against either Wyndham or Keysborough, who will do battle in the other preliminary final.
“The team’s really enjoying what they’re doing now,” Coach Beard said. “They’re really proud of what they’re doing.
“It comes back to the way they get around each other and how they celebrate each others’ success.”
The season series between Geelong United and Hume City finished at one-all.
The Broncos handed United a 99-75 hiding in Round 7 thanks to a 42-17 third quarter.
In Round 16, Geelong United held off the fast-finishing Broncos for a 98-95 victory – one of only six losses suffered by Hume City in 2023.
On that occasion, Bailey Bruce (26 points) and Marach Marach (24 points, ten rebounds, seven assists) were the standouts, while Jack Terrill (15 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists) was also important.
“They’re a good team – they’ve been in the top two most of the season,” Coach Beard said of Hume City.
“They’ve got a couple of good players, but we’ve worked hard on our scout this week.
“Then it’s about our guys keeping the right mentality and sticking together.”
Hume City has two of the top five scorers in Youth League One – Corey Fiddes (21.2ppg) and Elijah-Taye Saifaleupolu (18.8ppg).
Both played with the Broncos Big V Championship last, with Fiddes starting and coming off the bench.
With Hume City in Championship playoff action, Coach Beard will be interested to see whether that duo suits up on Sunday.
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