The Roller Hawks’ goal this season has always been clear; to win the championship, even though the squad rarely verbalises it.

Talk is always centred around the how rather than the what when it comes to achieving their goal.  

Even at the beginning of the season, coach Brendan Dowler talked about potential rather than results.

“It won't be easy but there is no reason that we can't be in contention at finals time if we consistently play to our potential” said Dowler back in May.

The Roller Hawks have delivered on that, finishing Minor Premiers and giving themselves the best chance to win a title for the first time since 2012.

“We have positioned ourselves well with a chance to go straight to the grand final with a win on Friday night.”

“It’s a big advantage but we’ll need to be on our game against the team hosting the finals, who beat us in our final regular season game and will have home court advantage.”

“We’ve had a good season so far and if we can play to our potential this weekend we will give ourselves a good chance of coming away with the result the team has worked hard for this season.”

Again, Dowler uses that word ‘potential’. Perhaps to serve as a constant reminder of missed opportunities of the past and that despite the best record in the league this season, nothing is guaranteed.

“We’ve dropped games to two of the other three teams in the final four so we won’t be taking things lightly.”

After not having a game in almost a month, Dowler knows the side can ill-afford a slow start against Kilsyth.

“The draw wasn’t ideal with a bye in the last round but it is what it is and we knew that since the beginning of the season so we have to deal with it.”

“It’s not ideal travelling on the day of the game but we have to prepare as best we can and be ready to play from the tip off.”