Only four matches remain in the AFL Sydney Premier Division competition, with all matches from here on in to be played at Blacktown International Sports Park.
Saturday- Second Semi Final
UNSW/ES Bulldogs vs Pennant Hills Demons @ 3.15pm
Pennant Hills did UNSW/ES a favour by defeating North Shore to allow the Bulldogs to leap into first place and rest up during the first week of the finals. Now the Demons will be keen to act as the bad guys to the Bulldogs’ cause with a guaranteed Grand Final berth on the line.
The Demons have arguably been the form side at the right end of what has been a topsy-turvy season in the Premier Division competition. Picking a favourite is hard given the evenness of the competition but the perennial finalists have done everything right so far.
They defeated North Shore for the second time in two weeks in the Qualifying Final last week by 32 points to earn their shot at their first Grand Final appearance since 2008 where they defeated East Coast (now Sydney Hills) Eagles.
Their accountable brand of football is well suited to the finals pressure. They have seasoned performers in Matthew Carey and reigning Phelan Medalist, Kieran Wright. Wright, in particular was superb last week sweeping across half-back.
Add to the mix, Damian Dell-Aquila and Daniel Witt who have been consistent performers with a new lease of life under new coach Chris Yard, and no wonder some seasoned experts have them as competition favourites. Nicholas Campbell and Luke Bilbe add grunt in key positions.
UNSW/ES are playing an exciting brand of football and boast the best attack in the league. They average twenty goals per match, and in their last match won by 113 points against Sydney University to clinch the minor premiership.
Leigh Lavery is the focal point and the Stan Milton Medalist as leading goalkicker in Premier Division. He is well supported by the likes of Josh Parmenter and Matthew Rawlinson. Rawlinson has been a superb recruit and is vastly under-rated. Playing coach, Rhys McAlister is another in that category and deserves all the accolades for constructing a side that can not only score points, but keep them to a minimum on the defensive side of the ledger.
Hayden Nichols and Joel Robbie have improved markedly this year, while Peter Kefalas and Dane Rampe loom as the most important players for the Bulldogs in the midfield battle this week. Injured duo, Jeremy Kiel and Tim Garrett are likely to return and will only strengthen the Bulldogs.
It will be interesting to see how the Bulldogs react to the pressure of finals. Will they continue the same brand of football or go into their shells against more seasoned opponents? This will go a long way to deciding the final result.
Previous Encounter
Round 4- Pennant Hills 13.9.87 def. UNSW/ES 11.19.85
Sunday- First Semi Final
North Shore Bombers vs Balmain Dockers @ 3.15pm
We have seen arguably the best and worst of these two sides over the last couple of months but expect to see both clubs’ true colours when they meet in an Elimination semi-final on Sunday afternoon.
The Bombers will be happy to see the back of Pennant Hills for now given the Demons’ have beaten North Shore on both occasions in the last fortnight. Last week saw them fall short in the crucial moments- something they won’t be able to do against a primed Balmain outfit.
There is no doubt there is class in the Bombers ranks. Brendan and Dale Fitzgerald have enjoyed strong seasons in the clinches; Sam Carruthers has been noteworthy again this year, while Nick Todd has been a good addition after crossing from Balmain.
Douglas Hadden is a top young player and often gets under the guard of the opposition. A lot will rely on their ability to kick goals. They spread the load well but lack a genuine goal kicker. Pat Brackin is one who could fill this void. They will be looking to get the ball in the hands of Tim Schmidt more often given the former Balmain midfielder’s ability to hit a target by foot.
Balmain had a couple of scares against St George but controlled for the majority of the contest. They did start slow, conceding the first three goals- something they will look to reverse this week against a good defensive unit.
As noted in the review, the big names stood up. Gerard Wilkie almost got leather poisoning while Kristian Pearson (defence) and Ben Taggart (up forward) played vital roles. Pearson, in tandem with Troy Luff, limited full-forward Nick Ryan to one goal. Luff will probably play a similar floating role again across the back-line, an aspect which Bombers coach Jon Hayres will need to negate.
Balmain have too many good names not to be an ominous danger in this competition. Craig White and Matthew Round are other profilic ball-winners in the midfield, while Josh Cass and Jackson Monk will be better for the experience after tasting finals last week.
This match should be one to watch if their previous encounter in Round 11 is anything to go by.
Previous Encounter
Round 11- North Shore 10.11.71 def. Balmain 11.4.70
Last Modified on 06/09/2012 14:56
