ORANGE Emus co-coach Andrew Logan has praised the determination shown by the Forbes Platypi to emerge as a premiership contender, before calling an end to his time as a mentor at the greens.
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Logan has been one of the driving forces behind Emus’ run of three straight Blowes Clothing Cup grand final appearances, with the 2014 defeat against Roos in Dubbo followed up by back-to-back titles at Endeavour Oval.
“I think what everyone can take from Forbes is you’ve got to take the bit between the teeth and set out to win some games,” Logan said post his side’s 14-11 win to claim the 2016 crown.
“Forbes did that, won a lot of games. We were very lucky to get away with today and that’s what you’ve got to do.
“We did it at Emus, and we don’t apologise for that. Every team in the comp should be aiming up to finish in the finals and win some finals footy, that’s what Forbes did. Credit to them, they’re a great club.”
Logan said he won’t be in the driver’s seat as the club strives for three in a row.
“Not for me, I’m done,” he said.
“That’s the end of my coaching with Emus for the moment anyway. That’s why I’m so glad we got away with it.
“Forbes, they’ve been incredibly well coached. They’ve been an incredible physical side and their defence never gives up.
“They just never go away and some sides in the comp, you get a couple of points on them and it’s easy to get rid of them, Forbes isn’t like that.
“They’ll be the strength for the next few years, I’m certain of that.”
Forbes skipper Jack Hammond was also certain the Platypi would be in contention again in 2017.
“Most of them will be around next year,” he said of his side’s crack playing group.
“We’re pretty tight knit group and we said before (Saturday), no matter the result we’re coming back to give it a shake.
“We’ve been through think and thin. Most of the squad was here last year to see the hard times. We got so close but at the end of the day, it’s not the end of the world, no one died.
“It’s hard to get to a Blowes Cup grand final, so we’re proud of that.”
He said the conditions Saturday’s game were played in made for a “bash-fest” in the forwards.
“It was very physical and very tough from both sides. The whole game was a see-saw, unfortunately for us that ended up being Emus’ way,” Hammond said.