Fernhill Given Lift By A 'new Mineo'
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday October 4, 2008
FERNHILL coach Alan Paine has labelled Ben Chapman "the new Mineo Bonetig" in the lead-up to today's grand final qualifier against Bonetig's old club, Port Kembla, at Balls Paddock.
Bonetig is rated the Illawarra Premier League's best player of the past decade, but Paine said Chapman deserved to be called the best for 2008."Ben Chapman in my opinion is the best player in the league - he's becoming the new Mineo Bonetig," Paine said. "He passes well, he wins balls, he's a great defender, he can score and he can play wherever I need him to. He is the outstanding player in our team."Paine said the return of Chapman, Monty Pfrengle and Ben Price from injury was the reason for Fernhill's hot finals form to date. The Foxes have won consecutive sudden-death matches against Cringila and Dandaloo - a win today would book them a spot in next Sunday's grand final against Albion Park at Crehan Park. "During the first half of the season, when we had our best players, we were leading the competition - those guys are back now and here we are," Paine said. But Paine is wary of a Port Kembla team that came within minutes of defeating the Eagles last weekend. "Port are hitting their straps - they finished up 6-4 with Albion Park, who have been fantastic all year. "Anybody who has gone 2-2 with Albion Park is going all right," he said.Port Kembla skipper Rob Cazzoli said his side would need to get on top early to shake Fernhill's confidence. "They're playing with confidence, their two wins have been against quality sides. If we can get on the front foot early, in the first 15 minutes that would be great," Cazzoli said. He confirmed Port would field a similar line-up to the side that drew 2-2 with Albion Park last weekend. The league runners-up will be without Mark Piccolini, Keiran Duncan, Ben Bartlett and Hugo Coronel today. "We haven't got many options, so we'll go in with the same as last week," Cazzoli said. "Fernhill are very structured, very quick, very disciplined and they get you on the break." Meantime, Fernhill will face Dandaloo in the reserve grade final at 12.45pm, while Dandaloo play Port Kembla in the youth grade final, which gets underway at 10.30am.
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