The Lower Divisions will enter their second week of finals with Semi Finals to be played on Saturday (Gipps Road Oval) and Sunday (Henson Park).
Ten clubs will contest in the eight matches to be played.
Saturday: Second Semi Final- Gipps Road Oval
Division Two- Sydney University vs UNSW/ES @ 3.15pm
Sydney University finished the regular season as the top-placed side. With this said, they will face a tough ask if they are to enjoy a saloon passage into the Grand Final against one of the surprise packets this season in UNSW/ES.
Sydney University’s last match was a fortnight ago against a non-finals contender in Moorebank. In this game they had to work hard in a low-scoring encounter, with their defence most impressive in the 33-point victory. Jason Cheah and Charles Allworth have been consistent contributors for the minor premiers.
UNSW/ES, after earning promotion on the back of their Division Three premiership have avoided any such hangover this season, as proven in their Qualifying Final victory over Nor-West last week. They held the lead for the majority of the match (35-points at half-time) before easing to a 17-point win. Ben Camilleri showed he is a valuable asset up forward with three goals. Mitchell Brown and Chris Peters were best for the victors.
Division Three- UTS vs Blacktown @ 1.10pm
UTS get their first hit-out this finals series against the side best placed to knock them off in competition newcomers, Blacktown.
UTS’ last match was an empathic 97-point win over Macquarie University. George Capozzi is a wily forward who has managed 45 goals from 14 games this year. Wesley Woodman is another who has enjoyed a strong season, being named in the Bats’ top six players on seven occasions this season.
Blacktown received a shock from Sydney University in last week’s Qualifying Final. Seemingly cruising at three-quarter time with a 29-point advantage, the Magic were held goalless in the final quarter to eventually crawl to a six-point victory. 19-year old Joshua Mann and Mark Burger were pivotal last week and will be needed again this week against a strong opponent.
Division Four- Gosford vs UTS @ 11.05am
It has been a great performance by Gosford in their first year in the Sydney competition to finish as minor premiers in Division Four. Their hardest test comes this weekend against a UTS outfit with the confidence gained from their 22-point Qualifying Final win against Penrith. UTS were well served by leading goalkicker, Adrian Dragicevic and the ball usage by Philip Bredin and Brett Knight.
The Gosford side are well-rounded and work well together around the ground. Brad Deitz is an accomplished player at this level, while Scott Burkinshaw adds run and carry. Their last match a fortnight ago was a four goal win over UNSW/ES. We will know after Saturday how they cope with the pressure of finals football.
Division Five- Sydney University vs Camden @ 9.00am
Sydney University are the competition favourites in Division Five and can justify this status with a win in the first match of the day. In their last match before the weekend off, they overcame a 17-point first-quarter deficit to defeat Moorebank. Gordon Willis was vital up forward with four goals. Jarrad Carraso has been a regular figure in Sydney University’s best players in his eight games this year.
Camden’s reserves side are the last hope for the club in the finals series after their senior Division Two outfit were defeated in the Elimination Final last week. They will enter with some confidence of reaching the Grand Final after their strong second-half showing against Saints a.f.c. Wade Passfield and Gavin Richards were strong in the win, while Daniel Flint with three goals continued his form up forward.
Sunday: First Semi Final- Henson Park
Division Two- Nor-West vs St George @ 3.15pm
It is do-or-die for these two sides who have been impressive at various stages this season.
Nor-West would be disappointed with last week’s showing given their hot streak in the latter half of the season. Coach, Don Ollington will be after a four-quarter performance as they let the Bulldogs out to a near-six goal lead at half-time before clawing back the deficit. Aaron Bayne fought manfully down back. Paul Webster will be a key player up forward for the Jets.
St George dispatched Camden from the finals race with ease last week and loom as the dark horses in this competition. They have a good sprinkling of youth and a strong forward target in Jonathan Shineberg who has averaged six goals a game in the last fortnight. Daniel Annor and Daniel Lim were impressive against Camden in a match where the Dragons extended their lead at each change.
Division Three- Sydney University vs Saints a.f.c @ 1.10pm
Sydney University ran out of time after coming home with a wet sail against Blacktown last weekend. They will be looking for a stronger start this week. James and Charlie Allworth were best for the University outfit, while Adam Clark and Rowan Barnes add much needed experience.
Their opponents, Saints a.f.c like Blacktown suffered a last quarter fadeout against Southern Power. In a carbon copy of the case above, they managed to hold on to a one-goal win despite conceding seven goals in the final quarter. Michael Dunlea continued his big season in front of goal with four majors, while Mark Kavanagh was also crucial in the win.
Division Four- Penrith vs UNSW/ES @ 11.05am
Penrith will look to bounce back after being in touch with UTS in last week’s Qualifying Final. The Rams put in a manful effort, trailing by eight points at three-quarter time before conceding four goals to two in the final term. 18 year-old Brayden Wilson has transitioned nicely into senior football.
Their opponents, UNSW/ES will prove a handful after easily defeating Nor-West by 67-points in last week’s Elimination Final. Eight goalkickers accumulated twenty-nine scoring shots to seven in a strong performance. Andrew Barclay and Ben Harding will be important again this week after strong performances against the Jets.
Division Five- Saints a.f.c vs UTS @ 9.00am
Saints a.f.c will be looking to avoid bowing out in straight sets when they face a worthy opponent in UTS on Sunday.
The Saints will be looking for more avenues to goal after only conjuring three goals in their Qualifying Final loss to the Cats. Jason King and Peter Conduit will be required to provide the Saints with the necessary penetration into the forward line.
Attack was not a problem for the Bats who managed twenty-five scoring shots in a high scoring encounter with Moorebank in last week’s Elimination Final. Ryan Armstrong helped himself to five goals, while Ben Nilsen and Brendan Limbrey enjoyed strong games.
Last Modified on 28/08/2012 12:30
