licka talks of new attitude for finals

[ramjet21]

Licuria ready for finals test
10:57:05 PM Tue 3 September, 2002
Kevin Diggerson
collingwoodfc.com.au

Collingwood’s qualifying final clash with Port Adelaide will be the first taste of finals action for the majority of Magpies, but the experience will have added significance for reigning Copeland Trophy winner Paul Licuria.

Licuria knows first hand the build up and hype that goes with a finals campaign but has yet to step into battle after being dropped by Sydney prior to their 1998 finals series.

Now as an established star with the Pies, Licuria is not only assured of playing, but will need to be a key contributor if the club is to claim its first finals win since the 1990 grand final. And the sting of missing out in ’98 has given Licuria an extra incentive to grab his opportunity this time around.

“It was pretty disappointing but I suppose you learn from that,” he said of missing the Swans finals games against St Kilda and Adelaide


“Now in the next month I can take advantage of (playing finals). Normally this time of the year we’re recovering somewhere or at a pub, so it’s good to have an incentive. We all look forward to the finals and there’s so a lot of us that haven’t played in any so it will be good.”

With Licuria and most of his teammates yet to run out for September action, the Magpies’ final’s novices sought the knowledge of those that have faced the pressure of finals football. Licuria believes that feedback will stand them in good stead for the trip to AAMI Stadium.

“We have spoken to a few of the guys (who have played finals) and all we hear is how quick it is and how much it steps up,” he said.

“We need to be on our toes early and hopefully we can match it with Port Adelaide. We give ourselves every chance knowing that we can match their game plan. We know that when we are playing well we can match it with the top sides. We’ve had a couple of good wins there and this year we lost by a goal, so we’re pretty confident we can go over there and play good football.”

Licuria has already noticed a change in attitude and approach, with the recent form slump that has seen the Pies win one of their past four games put behind them.

“We trained yesterday and there a different feeling than there has been in the last month. Even though we lost on the weekend there was a big buzz around training,” Licuria observed.

Clearly not intimidated by the prospect of his first final, Licuria’s biggest concern going in to the game might be his search for tickets to satisfy his family that are heading to Adelaide for the game.

“As far as the family members, there all coming over so I still need to get 20 tickets,” mused Licuria, clearly comfortable and ready for the challenge of facing the Power in their own playground.

[Joel]

I'm pumped for this game. This is huge Pies fans!

JDF