Illawarra Cutters utility Josh McCrone is keen to fulfil a career goal of winning Grand Final silverware when he faces the Mt Pritchard Mounties at Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta on Sunday.
The Temora Dragons junior admits he has yet to experience reaching the final game of a season during his senior career and hopes to change this come full time.
McCrone notes that the team additionally needs to improve upon areas of their game if they to overcome the Minor Premiers which at times proved costly in the 18-10 win over the Newtown Jets at Leichhardt Oval last round.
“It was a tough and gritty game and I was happy enough to push out the entire eighty minutes due to some late injuries that went our way,” said McCrone.
“Personally it was tough for me to dig in the middle and then shift to both edges but I am happy we got through to the Grand Final.
“We always knew it would take the eightieth minute to win it and we weren’t far wrong there but I think we could have played a bit smarter in the wet conditions.
“Both teams defended really well and they got the rub of the green during the first half as well as getting a fair few penalties.
“We made up for it by getting our share of possession during the second half and it was a pretty even game overall.
“I am 29-years old now and have never won a Grand Final since my junior days so I’m pumped we have gotten to where we are and have a crack at it.
“It will be tough in the middle as they’re a big, skilful team with a lot of speed and skill on the edges and have been the best team in the competition for a reason.
“Mounties had a tough win themselves and will no doubt have as many sore bodies as us so we’ll need to perform against them like we did against the Jets.”
