After missing the 2008 VFL finals campaign, Lower will have his chance to make amends this Friday night against the Northern Bullants at Etihad Stadium.
"I haven't really played in a Grand Final at a senior level. It's my first time so I'm really looking forward to it. I'm probably going to be pretty nervous, but it should be a great experience and I'm hoping for a win," Lower told kangaroos.com.au
Lower played a significant part in the Roosters’ trouncing of Collingwood at TEAC Oval on Saturday. The 61-point victory coming despite the Magpies’ strong contingent of AFL listed players.
“It was pretty willing early in the game and then our boys just exploded out of the blocks in the third quarter and jumped out to a handy lead. Josh Smith really got us going up forward and that win gives us a great deal of confidence going into the final,” Lower added.
A shoulder operation denied Lower a chance to play in last year’s premiership with the Roosters.
“It was a niggling injury for most of the year and it got worse after the elimination final against Sydney,” Lower recalls.
“I actually did an extra week of training with North Ballarat and had every intention to play the Grand Final but Dean Laidley made the call for me to go straight in to hospital and have an operation.”
2009 has been a disappointing year for the 22 year-old with a knee injury keeping him out of the North Melbourne side for much of the middle part of the year. After some impressive displays with North Ballarat, he was eventually given an opportunity to play the last two games of the home and away season. What followed was a dream run for the South Australian with memorable wins against the top of the table Saints and then Port Adelaide with incoming coach Brad Scott watching on.
"In 2010 I'm looking for more consistency. This year was a bit of an up and down year with injuries so I'm looking to play more senior games, but most of all get some consistency back in my game."
Lower first played for North Ballarat in 2006, and has played 46 matches with the Kangaroos affiliate.
"My first year here was the first year of the alignment, so I've had four years with them now and there's a great camaraderie because we've played in the finals in each of those seasons. We've backed up from the Grand Final last year and we all get on really well."
The former rookie was one of eight North Melbourne players who represented the Roosters on Saturday. Aaron Edwards and Michael Wundke booted four goals a piece in the match, while Josh Smith and Corey Jones were both influential up forward. Marcus White and Shannon Watt played defensive roles while Cruise Garlett got in amongst it in the mid-field.
"Most of us went and watched the Northern Bullants game so a few of the boys there were pretty excited and starting to get a bit nervous ahead of Friday," Lower said.
The team will train on Tuesday at Eureka Stadium in preparation for Friday night's Grand Final.
“To finish off 2009 playing in a final at any level is something you don’t take for granted. We don’t have a great record against the Bullants and they will have a few Carlton boys in there, but we will back ourselves and come out to play.”
