Past medalists, top Lynton Pym (Leading Goalkicker), Tyler Baldock (Presidents Medal) and Scott Feltus (Mail Medal) in 2010 and below Dillon Cabot (Doug Fox Medal) and Tasman Fitzgerald (Lockwood Medal) 2009
Mid West Finals Start at Wirrulla
With the season rapidly approaching its climax, one of the finals teams will exit this weekend. We recall last year pace setting Hawks and Bulldogs were ultimately pushed from premiership glory by the winner of this week’s game. The Roosters won’t be repeating last year’s heroics, but 2013 combatants could well learn the lessons of persistence and tenacity.
All eyes to Wirrulla, the first Semi Finals and League Medals counts will provide a day of intrigue.
A Grade - Western Districts v Wudinna United
Three/zip to the Tigers in the minor round, each time running away in the last quarter after a solid three quarter tussle. Both of these sides have had great patches through the season. Very well matched up position by position, so it may well come down to opportunities taken and missed.
The Tigers have been well served defensively by Jesse Hull, Damon King and Ben Smith, but it was possibly Damon King’s move forward that won the game last time. Four goals from Centre Half Forward and a marking target to assist Truman Hoffrichter in a head turning display. Districts have sometimes found their attacking moves going sideways, but addressed this against the Maggies on the bigger Wudinna Oval. Will they be able to find the same space at Wirrulla?
The run and carry of Brayden King is critical, with the ever reliable Tiger midfield Scott Feltus, Dylan Beinke, Wayne Moroney always winning plenty of possession. Jerel Fromm has been enormous in Ruck and also around the ground. The return of Thomas Lee allows flexibility in defence to allow either Jesse Hull or Damon King to head forward to assist Kade Gill and Matt Carey.
The Magpies have had a chequered run to the finals to say the least. A 40 plus goal thump last week at the hands of Central Eyre is not an ideal preparation for a finals assault. They will improve this week with the return of a dozen players.
Izaac Boylan has had a great year, playing for is school in Adelaide at Centre Half Forward, it is likely that he will be called upon to assist the mighty Mark North in ruck. Nick Wedding, Josh Boylan return to provide direction and marking power, Heath Zwar, Tyson Jackson and Josh Mitchell love the hard won ball around the centre. Jack Wilkins forward smarts have been outstanding, last time kicking six of the eight goals against the Tigers, and helping the huge workload of Eugene Wauchope. Darryl Marshall is good forward and back, with Dallas Waters in arguably career best form.
Overall winning form is good form, Districts have the edge here, and the Tigers also appear to have a more settled line up. If they can create goal scoring opportunities from in front rather than wide out, the Tigers should progress to a Preliminary Final, but this will be no easy game. The Maggies will need to convert their opportunities and hold a good lead going into the last quarter if they are to take the honours.
B Grade - Wudinna United v Central Eyre
The Maggies hold the seasons advantage leading two wins to one, but significantly the Bulldogs win was last week, by seven points. Another well matched game, albeit with Centrals not having to field an A Grade, but they also have next weeks A Grade game to think about, will they risk players here? Returning players will boost Wudinna United this week.
Both sides boast seasoned campaigners who revel in the tighter finals conditions, Jeremy Wagner, Justin Schultz, Kerron Cummings for the Bulldogs, Brenton Wedding, Kym Tree and Craig Brands for the Magpies. Chris Foster is in outstanding scoring form, and will be looked to again, Todd Matthews leading from the front along with the evergreen Jon Beard will see plenty of ball forward for the Centrals side. Will Wade O Brien line up this week? Possibly the difference if he does! No doubt a heated debate around the selection table between A Grade coach Peter Cock and the B Grade coach Wade himself.
Always a hard tip between these two clubs, but maybe the Wudinna United extra experience in recent finals will help them over the line.
Colts - Central Eyre v Elliston
Elliston have done well in a last gasp qualification to the finals, but they a facing a Central Eyre side that has shown a real improvement and progression over the year. The Bulldogs have potent goal scoring ability in Taylor Schmucker and Kane Grocke, and a hard working running midfield in Brandon North, Connor Dowden and Brandon Waters. Mac Heath and Joe O Brien are prolific on the wings or half back, and Brett McComb probably the best ruckman in the League. For the Roosters, Guy Hutchison is just outstanding, and EP Rep again this year, he is a class act. Great seasons from Rex Martin, Tristan Ryan, Oska Richards and Mitch Hamlyn sees the Roosters with great potential in future years.
An edge to the Bulldogs in the size stakes, and for this reason the Centrals boys are favourites to progress
Medal Counts
The League medal counts follow the A Grade match. Always so much interest in the coveted Mail Medal, won by Jake Bruce in 2012. He has enjoyed a stellar season in 2013 and must start as one of the major chances, but he will share votes this year with Kane Sampson, Clint Winter, Ty McKenna, Jared Sampson, Lachlan Heath and others as Centrals have dominated most other sides. Are there just too many good players at Central Eyre? One side that haven’t been brushed aside by the Bulldog tide is the evergreen Hawks, another minor premiership and another season of consistency. The Dylans – Dylan Kelsh, Dylan Cabot and Dillon Montgomerie will poll well, Nick Schumann has dominated games during the year, Cody Colbung must be under notice later in the year. The Tigers will rate highly, Scott Feltus has won the Flow FM Most Valuable Player award, always a good pointer to the medal, and what a season he has had. Shannon Horgan, Jerel Fromm and Dylan Beinke will command votes. The Bombers have been lead by Jason Henderson and Izaac Halman, both outstanding ball winners and use it well. Simon Webb is a proven poller and maybe Julian Dickson. Wudinna United have been well served by Dallas Waters, despite wonderful games, plays deep in defence which is often not a great place to win votes, Henry Zwar, Mark North and Tyson Jackson will get votes, but all have missed games. Elliston have some real chances, Adam Hurrell is a standout along with Tom Rumbelow. Always amongst the thick of the action and great ball users, Adam Haarsma and Jay Williams have been excellent when, playing, but have also missed matches.
Promises to be an interesting evening celebrating the elite players of the competition.
Counts will also be held for the Montgomerie Medal and Lockwood Medal, B Grade and Colts respectively with presentations to follow.
Here’s to a great day of entertainment at Bomber land!
Last Modified on 16/08/2013 17:12