LEETON-Whitton forward Cooper Sharman admits he was determined to atone for a crucial missed shot against the Tigers the previous week after helping spearhead their preliminary final win over Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong.
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The 20-year-old forward has been outstanding in his return to the Crows in this year's AFL Riverina Championship, and looms as the danger man for the Tigers in Saturday's grand final at Robertson Oval.
The Crows led by just five points against the Lions at three quarter time before a six-goals-to-one final term book a place in the decider.
Sharman missed a late set shot in the three-point major semi loss to the Tigers, but kicked two of his three goals in the fourth quarter last week to send a statement.
"The shots last week were a bit harder and on more of an angle. It (Tigers kick) was definitely in the back of my mind but I was lucky," Sharman said.
"I didn't kick them flush but they swung around and went through."
Sharman was the league's leading goal-kicker over the six week regular season, and has shown why he was considered especially unlucky not to be selected in last year's AFL Draft.
Scouts have told the diminutive, strong marking centre-half-forward to focus on his endurance and putting more size onto his 80kg frame.
He won last year's NAB League premiership alongside Crows teammate Jeromy Lucas with Oakleigh and played under former AFL premiership coach Rodney Eade at Balwyn.
He was set to play VFL with Coburg this season before the coronavirus pandemic led him back to his home club.
Sharman, who played in the Crows' 2017 grand final win over Collingullie-Glenfield Park, is one of many juniors who have returned to Leeton-Whitton this year.
Given they are likely to disband again next year, Sharman said they've spoken about taking their unexpected chance to do something special for the town.
"A lot of us haven't played together before, but we've jelled really well," he said.
"Some of us went to school together and we were mates previously. To have this one last crack before we all go our separate ways, it would mean the world to win this."
Sharman said he has been happy with his week-to-week form, where he has taken aboard the advice given to him by Eade to attack every marking contest.
"It's probably the first year of footy I've been really consistent every week," he said.
"There's been times where I've lapsed out of games, but I've managed to get myself back into them.
"Hopefully I can get back to Melbourne and play some VFL footy (next year), that's definitely the plan."
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