It wasn’t exactly how we had planned to book our ticket into the BBL finals, but we’ll take it!

The Purple Army have never stopped believing – every game, they turned up in high numbers, ready to support Tasmania’s Team.

They absolutely love their cricket, and are very much deserving to see the BBL trophy be brought back to Hobart.

The rest is up to us now.

This is one of the most exciting summers of cricket I have been part of, and much of it has been because we have had to play with an us-against-them mentality.

Even before the season had started, so much of the commentary through the media was that no one really rated us, nor thought we were going to be as competitive as we have been.

So it’s really good that we have put ourselves in a position where we can make the finals and push to win this thing.

It would be such a strong morale booster for the players, fans and wider state of Tasmania if we were able to achieve the ultimate glory in this year’s Big Bash tournament.

Over the last four years there have been times where we have fallen short in key moments. Pleasingly, this year, we have really turned that around.

No matter which team we play against, they know they need to bring their best because they are going to be in for a competitive showdown.

While in the end we did have to rely on the Melbourne Renegades to defeat Brisbane to cement our top four placing – our spot in the finals has been set up on the back of a consistent season with both bat and ball.

So for that, there’s no reason why we wouldn’t deserve that opportunity to advance further and face the Perth Scorchers on Thursday night.

Over the past 24 hours, I have been asked what would it mean to the Hobart Hurricanes to win the whole thing?

It’s hard to find the words; I think it would mean so much to everyone associated with the team; from the players themselves to the support staff, our wonderful fan base and right throughout the Hobart community.

To be able to show the rest of the cricket world how good this team is, by winning BBL07, would be an amazing feeling.

We seek to play every game as if we have the better team on paper, and that confidence and belief has really funnelled through the team this season.

Which was a lot harder to do at first, when you’re hearing and listening to those pre-season comments about our potential.

Just six weeks ago, many players and fans did not know who Jofra Archer was – they couldn’t believe we signed him, let alone that he might be good at cricket.

But to have seen everyone rally behind him has been tremendous, and for his sake it has been nice to silence the critics a bit.

I certainly know what that is like.

When I was at the Melbourne Stars, I would get a game here and there, and at times would perform well below my own high expectations.

I would get criticised on Facebook & Twitter, and reading those comments really played on me.

But when I came down to the Hurricanes, it really changed my mentality and sort of helped me come out of my shell both as a cricketer and person.

Everyone has their own way of dealing with public criticism – I always admire the people who say they don’t read much into what is said about them through the newspapers or on social media, but for me it’s hard not to because I am such a people person.

I like to please everyone, so for me it is hard not to take those negative comments to heart they when they are directed my way.

I have always just set out to prove to everyone that I can play this game, that I am better than they think I am or what I have or haven’t done previously.

When I can, I always look to use those opportunities as motivations to improve and get better.

This time last year, I made a commitment to myself that I would not worry about what was said about me through the media, nor would I read as many comments via social media, and just go out and play as hard as I possibly could.

That new mentality has really acted as a catalyst for me.

Confidence has always been my knock – everyone has always said I have the skill and technique to achieve great heights in cricket, but that my confidence can sometimes get in the way of that.

Now, I just back myself in to know that I am high performer when I play at my best and approach the game with the right frame of mind.

Because I know that at my best, I can not only compete at this level but I can the win the game for my team.

At 28, I understand the game so much more than I did a few years ago, and every season you’re constantly adding new strings to your bow to make you a more complete cricketer.

When I was younger I put on so much pressure on me to play, and when I wasn’t picked the coaching staff would come over and tell me why and I’d get back to training and work on those thing.

It’s great to feel more relaxed and know the team backs me to get the job done.

While national selection is not something I think a great deal of, as I’ve always been of the few those opportunities will follow through consistent excellence, I do get goosebumps talking to guys like Dan Christian who have played in club level premierships – and what it meant to them to win tournaments with some of their best mates.

It’s an accomplishment they really hang their hat on, and definitely something I have been thinking of in recent days.

I want to be able to look back in 20 years and remember the time I went to the Hobart Hurricanes and won the Big Bash tournament in one of the greatest nights of my cricket life.

I’m hopeful that we Hurricane players can make the most of the opportunity ahead of us, and make 2018 a memorable year for all of us.