It is time to find out who the media are tipping in Sunday’s Peter Jackson VFL Grand Final.
The Gospel (VFL tipster): Port Melbourne, with Galea and Rose to kick 4 a piece, with Valenti and Dwyer leading the way as well. Billy Burstin to have a blinder as well.
Samantha Landy (AFL Vic media): Port Melbourne by 14 points. It would be almost unfair for the Borough to make it this far in season 2011 without a loss only to drop the biggest game of the year: the Grand Final. Williamstown will soundly challenge Port Melbourne, as they did in Round 20 of the home-and-away season in which the Borough prevailed by just five points. But while the Seagulls have the ability to go all the way, as was showcased in their demolition of Werribee on the weekend, Gary Ayres' boys will find something extra to propel them over the line as they have done in recent weeks when they've been pushed. Best on ground will be a tough contest between gun Port midfielders Sam Dwyer and Shane Valenti, but have to go with the Liston Medallist.
Kane Hunkin (AFL Vic media): Port Melbourne by 20 points. Best on ground: Dean Galea (Port Melbourne). Port Melbourne stand one win away from capping off one of the most remarkable years of football at any competition level. Much like the regular season, the Borough have done nothing during their finals campaign to suggest they’re ready to fall. I'm expecting another tight tussle like the sides round 20 clash. However, while Williamstown will be a stubborn opponent, suited at Etihad Stadium, I predict Port Melbourne to kick away slightly in the last quarter and break their premiership drought.
Ben Taylor (WYN FM): Williamstown 27 points. After watching both Preliminary Finals and following the form of both sides, I think Williamstown are the team to beat. They accounted for Werribee with ease and would have taken alot confidence out of the win. Ruckman Will Minson is in super form. Sam Reid found some form up forward, throw in the likes of Davies, Jolley, Johnson, Howard and Tutt through the midfield, they primed to win their first flag since 2003. Williamstown are a tough hard side, They move the ball quickly from half back and up forward they have a number of scoring options. The experienced harder bodies and pace will be the difference in the end. On the bigger Etihad Stadium, they will over power the Borough in a close contest. Best on ground: Christian Howard.
Paul Hooper (3WBC): Port Melbourne for me. The Borough have been such a dominant side this year. Their depth is impressive. Willy are a great side and also deserve their spot in the Grand Final. Awesome performance in the Preliminary Final. Great to see that the two best sides are through to the Grand Final. I think we will see a very tight game but I am going with the Borough by 4-points. Best on ground will be Nathan Batsanis.
Ben Carbonaro (AFL Vic media): I think Port Melbourne will get up by 10 points, it will be a very close game as very little has separated either of the two teams during the home and away season this year. The Borough will win because they play a real team oriented style of game and although they have some standout individual players in their side, they have this year appeared to play for the jumper which is something that modern footballers are often criticised of not doing. Shane Valenti for best on ground.
Brendan Lucas (AFL Vic media): Williamstown by 8 points. Williamstown's X-factor is their pace through the midfield, they have proven they can match it with the undefeated Port Melbourne in round 20. In contrast to the small grounds the Seagulls' have played on this year, Etihad Stadium will provide the perfect surface for many of the Bulldog's listed stars to shine with their run and spread in such open spaces. With a dominant combined finals series total winning margin of 150-points, the Seagulls' could well have the edge on the Borough on form alone, but this grand final will still be tight and is set to go down as one for the ages. Best On Ground: Brett Goodes.
Sam Landsberger (Herald Sun): Williamstown by one point. Because I tipped the Seagulls to beat Port Melbourne with a kick after the siren in the pre-season crystal ball! After monstering two sides in finals with electric pace and crafty skills perfectly suited to Etihad, Williamstown is a huge chance. But really, who could pick it? Port star Sam Dwyer was awesome in the round 20 clash and looms as a danger man, even if the umpires don’t agree. Galea and Rose against their old side will be desperate to kick bags.Norm Goss: Ben Jolley (Williamstown)
Howard Leigh (Sunday Herald Sun): WHAT a dream VFL grand final between Port Melbourne and Williamstown. They are the VFL/VFA’s most traditional bayside rivals. The matching of these two great clubs has tickled the fancy of modern day footy fans and those who can turn back the clock to the grand old days of the 1950s and 1960s when their clashes were among the biggest talking points in the football world. You can’t go past the Borough who are desperate to break their premiership hoodoo that dates back to coach Gary Brice and his superb teams of 1980-82. The Seagulls last VFL premiership success was 2003 and their president Trevor Monti and chief executive Brendan Curry are banking on dream time at Etihad Stadium. Port Melbourne to win by nine points. Best on ground: Port key defender Sam Pleming who can also push forward and kick goals. Keepunchin’
Brad McGrath (The Weekly): Port Melbourne by 15 points. Gary Ayres has done a sensational job to get a non-aligned team through a season undefeated. Port Melbourne should have enough experienced players to handle the pressure that comes with this. BOG: Shane Valenti
Ross Booth (ABC): Williamstown by 15 points. AFL-listed players pace and fitness at Etihad will be a telling factor. BOG: Will Minson.
Nigel Carmody (VFL Radio): Port by 8 points. Simply, with 20 wins in the bank, you can't tip against them. Williamstown do come in to the Grand Final on a strong run of form of their own, having won four straight since their loss to Port in round 20, by an average margin of 86 points. But the Borough have an unflinching belief that I think can prevail. If the Seagulls have a breaking point, it may be down back. Port's avenues to goal outside of Patty Rose and Dean Galea must hit the scoreboard for this to be the case. It may be one of Chris Cain, Ryan McMahon or Billy Burstin who can ultimately prove the difference, even from limited opportunities. Norm Goss: We haven't seen many defenders win this award of recent so we might be due. Sam Pleming is a cool head down back for Port and can be swung forward if Gary Ayres needs to change the flow. The perfect fit for a Grand Final wildcard. If not him, it may well be another Sam - Port's Dwyer is livewire through midfield who breaks the lines while Williamstown's Reid was unstoppable last week against Werribee, with a mix of power and awareness that makes him a hard matchup for the minor Premiers.
Mark Stone (SEN): Williamstown just might win by 5 points. Both teams have very good midfielders but Willy might have just a couple of extra that can cover the ground a bit better than Port Melb. This game will be won in the middle Fanning, Pinwill, McMahon, Dwyer and Batsanis vs Minson, Johnson, Goodes, Wallis, Jolley should be a really close contest. Best on Ground – Ben Jolley.
Peter Holden (3WBC): Port Melbourne by 34 points. Whose engine room has the most ticker? The Borough, without doubt. Williamstown lost to Port Melbourne (1st) and North Ballarat (3rd) twice. I believe this shows the Seagulls can beat lower ranked sides, but just can't handle sides evenly ranked with them. Port Melbourne have been challenged again, again and again... and have come up trumps every time. BOG: Alan Jeans said it best... Ruckmen win grand finals... David Fanning.
Russell Hopkins (AFL Vic media): Port Melbourne 21 points. A champion team, undefeated all year and will be desperate to create VFL history in front of their home crowd. Best on ground: Shane Valenti (PM)
Mark Erwin (VFL Radio): Williamstown by 21 points. Games are won, especially in modern football with the press, in the midfield and with effective disposal. Port Melbourne have both of these areas covered well, but Williamstown have a dozen or more high quality midfielders. Willy's mids, including half backs and half forwards etc, have a great mix of ball winning ability and speed and skill and depth. I commend Port and what they have achieved, I just think they are coming up against a team that has the potential to beat anyone on its day. Nathan Djerkurra for BOG for me, he typifies the strengths of Willy, but is a level above the rest when he is in full flight. Skill, poise, speed, goal-kicking ability and good at clearances. If he is on-song, look out, everyone at Etihad is in for a show.
The Verdict
Port Melbourne: 10
Williamstown: 6
Last Modified on 24/09/2011 18:51