Essendon Mazda Coach’s Comment: Ferrante praises Royals mentality

Essendon Royals Senior Men’s Coach Mick Ferrante is delighted with the position his team finds itself in heading into this afternoon’s game against Keilor Park, but he insists the job isn’t done yet.

Coming up against a tough Keilor Park side away from home, the Royals go into the game knowing that a win would put them out of sight of third-placed Sydenham Park and secure promotion to NPL3.

With Keilor Park playing for pride, Ferrante hopes that the greater motivation behind his boys, coupled with their strong form, will help them over the line.

“It’s a tough one, because you don’t know what to expect from these teams with little to play for now,” he said.

“We know that any game against Keilor Park is tough and that they’re battle-hardened, and as with any game in this competition, if we’re not up for the battle, it’ll be a tough day.

“But we have a massive prize to play for, and the boys have been playing every game like it’s a cup final, so if we continue that intensity and that mentality, I’m confident we can get over the line.”

With the prize of promotion on the line, Ferrante is keen to see his boys stick to their guns and play the entertaining football that has got them into this position, even if it is a tougher ask on the heavy fields at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve.

“The conditions will make it more difficult, for sure,” he said.

“But for us, it’s always been about our mentality. We’re hard to beat when we go to games ready to play our game and be up for that battle.

“There’s a real buzz around the group, which has been for a few weeks. But nothing is set in stone, it’s a tricky game but from what I’ve seen in training, the boys are treating it with the right attitude.”