Carey Park coach Frank Italiano says Panthers taking on colts ‘benchmark’ in grand final clash

Carey Park colts coach Frank Italiano has heaped praise on his grand final opponents, Daniel Delaney’s Busselton side, just days out from Sunday’s premiership decider. Italiano has an important job at Kelly Park, nurturing the next generation of talent at a club so desperate for a fresh injection of it, but he said the reigning premiers were still the competition’s benchmark team. “I reckon Busselton are the best team in the business,” he said. “They’re the club we all aspire to be. They’ve got three teams in the grand final, and Daniel is a great coach. WATCH CAREY PARK V BUSSELTON LIVE AND ON DEMAND FROM SUNDAY “He’s got this team in a great shape and they’re really well drilled.” Italiano said the colts team’s run towards the final day of the season had brought life to the club, and having seen many of his colts players drift through the league side this season, he hoped the extra experience would come to the fore on the day. “It is really exciting, we’re stoked,” he said. “We have got a good young group, I think we’ve played 43 in the colts so far this year and have debuted about six in the league out of that. “It is good to have them back, but Busselton have probably got the same calibre of player, they just haven’t had the opportunity to play league. More SWFL: “It’s been good. It’s helped them grow and they have come back better players.” Callum Graham made a name for himself for being a fearless ball player when, at just 16 years old, he played three games in the league this season. Brady Leneghan added to his five games at league level last season with another three this year, while Griffin Hyde and Lachlan Emmott also featured for Brett Maguire’s side. For Busselton, Benjamin Taylor is the primary target inside 50, having kicked a massive 76 goals this season, including three in each of his three appearances against the Panthers. Mack Candy and Jack Brockliss are also names to watch, while Blake Cann and Harris Craig have some league experience. The Panthers defeated Bunbury and Busselton, both away from home, to move straight through to the grand final after finishing in third spot.