Mid West 2nd Semi Finals
Key players from both clubs-:
1. Hawks in form ruckman, Dylan Kelsh, having a huge influence this year.
2. Prollific possession winning Bulldog, Jared Sampson, highly skilled and mobile.
3. Dual Mail Medalist, Central Eyre's Jake Bruce. Who will have the unenviable task of chasing him on Saturday?
4. West Coast Hawks Coach and key midfielder Dillon Montgomerie, much rests on his shoulders to win the midfield battle!
5. Central Eyre's champion water boy, Rob Bruce, bobbing up again!
The Mid West Finals series moves to Kyancutta this weekend as the top teams battle for the first right of entry to the big dance. We already know that there will be new premiers in the A and B Grades this year, so who will enjoy a week’s rest and recuperation, along with perhaps outright premiership favouritism?
West Coast Hawks vs Central Eyre – A Grade
Congratulations must go to the mighty Hawks, another minor premiership, but their celebration silence is deafening, they know the heavy lifting starts now! Hard to remember when two clubs have dominated the competition more than the Bulldogs and Hawks this year, in fact the only time that they have been challenged is when they play each other. So much to like about the football of both clubs, 10 goal quarters seem to come on demand, and so mean defensively. The ledger is two to one Hawks way, no game particularly close, the stakes are much higher now. This time last year the same two clubs lead the competition only to be usurped by a surging Roosters outfit. This disappointment still lives large with both clubs so there is no skylarking amongst players or supporters, they know that one of them will come out of this year with a finals pressure question mark hanging firmly over their head!
Hawks appear much tougher than many younger teams of the past. The free advice to the opposition is more regularly offered nowadays by the Hawks where they have often received it in the past. Players such as Kirk Montgomerie, Schumann and Sargent are able to get under the skin and guard of opposition which is exactly what is needed this time of year. Defensively the Hawks are outstanding, Damien Johnson, Tyson Montgomerie, Trav Brown, Derick Freeman are seasoned campaigners and outstanding team contributors. The centreline run of McInnis, McEvoy, Schumann, Sargent, Dil Montgomerie is exciting, they win so much of the football and are devastating with their ball use. Welcome back to Brent Bascombe, desperate to feel success again after an unsuccessful assault on the Ashes with Merv Hughes and a few keen cricketers, also to Sutherland back after a lay off. Dyl Kelsh will win plenty of ruck contests and his around the ground work is excellent. Colbung has had a ball on a string throughout the second half of the year and will provide Bulldog headaches yet again, similarly the elusive Day. Highly likely that Cabot will have a run with role on Mail Medallist Jake Bruce, few other players who can do this job as well as Dillon. Nath’ Johnson and Danis complete the forward line that is highly productive.
Bulldogs appear also to have the firepower to take this game away. Defensively they have been kings all year, McKenna has dominated half back and roamed far and wide. He may need to stay closer to position this time around, Lochy Heath, Lowe, Hayden Heath have taken all before them in a rebounding defence lead by the welcome return of Wade O Brien, having enjoyed a couple of years recreational leave to the forward line.
The centreline of this Bulldog machine is just outstanding; Mail Medallist two times in succession Jake Bruce, the mighty Jared Sampson, leading goal kicker Winter, finals specialist Ryan Sampson and ruck duo Polkinghorne and McComb will see the ball heading Bulldogs goal wards aplenty. Up forward Kane Sampson stands out like a beacon, and must be held by the Hawks, fail to do this and suffer serious consequences. Marty Grocke is a clever campaigner and thrives in the higher intensity games of finals. Chapman enjoys skills that so many others can only dream of and Kane Grocke has become a great target with his strength and height belying is younger age.
These are the two most successful clubs in the history of Mid West, six premierships each, and Hawks 63.33% finals win record to the Bulldogs 52.63%, both the highest amongst all clubs. Hawks love Kyancutta, having played three finals there for three wins; the Bulldogs are one win and one loss in finals here. Despite the success, they don’t play each other too often in finals, Hawks winning the second semi last year by nine points and Bulldogs winning the 2007 Grand Final by 16 points the last two finals encounters. Central Eyre have played only 32 players in the A grade over the course of the year to West Coast Hawks 37.
A Bulldog player has been reported in each of their losses to the Hawks, is this a crack under pressure or just an anomaly? No side can afford time with players off the ground, even less so in finals. No doubt this aspect hasnt escaped the Hawk hierarchy! To the Bulldogs, a Kyancutta home ground advantage.
So a winner? Bulldogs are at home, space and familiarity but the Hawks will enjoy the larger ground and the lighter speedsters will run hard. Both sides are fit and will be very close to full strength. With no certainty, the Hawks will start as a slight favourite in a match that can truly go both ways. No club wants to face off in the prelim final!
Wirrulla v West Coast Hawks – B Grade
The Bombers enter this match is great form, knowing from a fair way out that they would be playing this match. Two weeks ago eclipsing the Hawks in emphatic fashion - 12 plus goals. It will be closer this time around as players return to the fray. The Wirrulla forward line boasts enormous goal kicking strength, Pym, Dudley, Troy Olsen, Perry. Can they all be held? Look out for Milty Holmes, Saul Webb, Cabot around the centre and Johnson, Lawrie (Ben and Daryl) and Blumson in the back half. The Hawks will rely on younger run to help them through, Angus McInnis, Galliver, Mohi and Johns are stars of the future, McGilvray and France provide forward targets, and a strong backline of Trezona, Miller and Johnson. Simon Tucker has enjoyed another dominant year, and is well supported by Feltus.
Wirrulla appear very focussed this year and the benefit of not fielding an A Grade, although they have played a settled side for most of the season. The Hawks will compete for most of the match but may struggle to maintain the intensity of Wirrulla all the way. The Bombers to qualify first for the Grand Final.
West Coast Hawks v Wudinna United - Colts
Over the season two matches to one to the Hawks, and each game close. These two have enjoyed quite a rivalry. The Hawks have perhaps the edge is size but the Maggies maybe an edge in speed. Gallivers Jaxon and Dion are having great years Montgomerie, Edmonds, Legovini, Squire, Tucker are class players, the dangerous Harry Goosay up forward. The Magpies are lead by Lockwood Medalist Wilkins back this week, Jerichos, Ian and Adam, Petty at half back, Buckham and Douglass around the centre, and welcoming back North and Habermann this week. Elliott’s long kicking will be a factor,
The larger ground may well suit the Hawks along with final hardened experience, and they will start slight favourites, but this will be close.
Last Modified on 23/08/2013 16:25