Brighton Grammar is preparing to play without star AFL Draft prospect Arki Butler in Saturday's Associated Public Schools (APS) grand final against Caulfield Grammar.
Butler had hoped to return for the decider after fracturing his collarbone on 3 July for Vic Metro against South Australia and has been given every chance of playing but the undefeated Tonners look set to have to win without him.
"We tested him and we're just waiting really, we'll give him every chance," Brighton Grammar coach Simon McPhee told Zero Hanger.
"We've picked a 23, and we've got our fingers crossed but we certainly won't risk him."
Butler's playing status has been the biggest storyline this week as anticipation has steadily built ahead of the first-ever APS grand final.
"It's footy, right?" McPhee said of the injury.
"It takes more than one, and he's an exceptional talent and our captain and a great player and young man, but it provides opportunity for someone else like Riley, who has picked up the slack.
"It's been a collective effort to overcome that, and it's been around multiple players playing roles."
Brighton Grammar has looked much more vulnerable since he has gone out of the side, given his ability to impact as a midfielder and forward.
With more midfield opportunity, bottom-ager Riley Stratford, on Tasmania's radar ahead of their entrance to the competition, has stepped up, but Xavier College got within 10 points of them a fortnight ago, while a struggling Geelong College stuck with Brighton until midway through the final quarter.
"We've had some tough games against sides that have taken it to us, so I'd like to think that has steeled us for what is coming tomorrow. Teams tend to bring their best against us, which has exposed us in some areas we've got to improve," McPhee said.
"If we don't bring our best every week, we'll be vulnerable, which prepares us for what is coming tomorrow."
Brighton Grammar took care of Caulfield Grammar by 57 points in Round 1, but McPhee said his side would not take much confidence from it given how their opponents have evolved since that game.
That match was also accidentally played with extended quarters due to a time-keeping miscommunication, which led to cramping late and the game opening up, blowing out the margin.
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"Watching Caulfield the last few weeks, gee they're good," McPhee said.
"They've got the capacity to move the ball quickly, their hands are good, they can get the ball from inside to outside and have genuine talent in all areas of the ground.
"What we know about APS footy is some teams prepare well early so you can get wins early, but Caulfield, I think we got them on a bad day maybe, but that game could have gone either way for a while."
Brighton's two key weapons on its home ground, where it plays well, are its intercepting defenders, led by Vic Metro MVP Tyson Bradley, and marking forwards, led by Josh Treacy-like forward Jake Miller.
Vic Metro train-on player Henry Thomas has also found form recently in defence, while Quentin Hofmann, the brother of Geelong's Lennox, and Harry Zerna have benefitted from the attention Miller gets.
"From our point of view, we know our marking forwards is a strength of ours, and they all help each other out - if one of them thinks they have a matchup, they'll exploit it," McPhee said.
"(Jake's) been great for us - he trains hard, he brings other people into the game, and he wants others to do well.
"Tys has had a great year. He's one of our leaders with how he influences others with his voice.
"Our backline will be under the pump tomorrow, but they have been excellent. He and Henry have led our backline excellently."
Brighton Grammar is a perennial heavyweight in the competition, winning the 2024 APS title before the introduction of a grand final, led by Brisbane premiership player Levi Ashcroft, GWS' Harrison Oliver, Richmond's Luke Trainor and Hofmann.
Adelaide's Archie Ludowyke and St Kilda's Kye Fincher are both 2025 Brighton Grammar graduates.
"It'd be awesome to win the first grand final," McPhee said.
"You'll see how much it means tomorrow by the turnout. It means a lot to a lot of people.
"The power of representing so many people will empower them, and if we can do it, it will be an amazing thing for the whole Brighton community."
