We are set for a captivating first week of finals action with both matches featuring opponents who have played each other twice for a one-all win-loss record.
Both Premier Division Finals will be played at Henson Park, while the Lower Grade Finals will be played at Gipps Road Oval, across Saturday and Sunday.
Qualifying Final
North Shore vs St George- 3.15pm Saturday @ Henson Park
North Shore had their destiny in their own hands when they took on Manly last weekend with a week off and the minor premiership up for grabs.
To put it simply, North Shore were strangled to death by the defensive pressure from the Wolves from the opening bounce. It was clear Manly was the side most up for the local derby and kept North Shore to three scoring shots in the first half.
North Shore had an early taste of finals football and should be better for the experience. Statistics don’t lie and their attack as it stands won’t win them a premiership. They have the sixth best attacking record and outside Daniel Roberts who was kept goalless on the weekend, lack a genuine goal kicker.
You could throw Sam Mason into a goal kicking category but the big man plays more up the ground. Their defence is the better part of their game and the return of Chris Murphy helped to add some steel across half-back. Dale Fitzgerald and Charlie Callander are accountable players who help add to the Bombers list.
Big finals series are required from Sam Carruthers and Jared Shattock. They are the best two players arguably in North Shore’s side.
St George have had their own battles in the last fortnight against two strong opponents in Manly (draw) and Pennant Hills (16 point loss).
They were always playing catch up against the Demons and will need to take a step up against more seasoned finals opponents.
As mentioned, they have a well-credentialed midfield but arguably lack the out-and-out star in the middle. It will be interesting to see if Terry Mudge rolls the dice with the injury-prone Declan Donohue. He is the big bodied leader that the Dragons need up and running if they are to go deep in September.
They have plenty of runners in David Lycakis, Daniel Cox and Blake Guthrie, and have added Dominic Killworth as that ball-winning inside midfielder. The contested possession count will be key in finals and there are still question marks whether they can win that stat on a consistent basis.
They arguably boast the best forward line (only behind Pennant Hills in points for) with Paul Sain, Nick Ryan and Jason Saddington three of the best contested marks in the league.
Murphy will either play on Ryan or Saddington, with Roberts a key match-up for the Dragons. Sain will try and stretch the Bombers defence and will relieve one of the better young ruckmen going around in Jordan West.
Previous Match-Ups
Round 10 (22/6/13)- St George 11.7.73 def. North Shore 4.11.35
Round 2 (13/4/13)- North Shore 20.8.128 def. St George 8.9.57
Prediction
St George have too much artillery and are likely to put on too much scoreboard pressure as opposed to the Bombers who will rely on their midfield to win their fair share of the ball.
St George by 20 points.
Elimination Final
Pennant Hills vs UNSW/ES- 3.15pm Sunday @ Henson Park
Are the Demons back or will UNSW/ES love affair with finals continue? They are the questions leading into a do-or-die Elimination Final this Sunday.
Pennant Hills returned to the winners list after a tough month in style with a 16-point win over St George at Mike Kenny Oval.
The Demons were back to their attacking best, kicking over 100 points for the eighth time this season.
Ranga Ediriwickrama and Matt Carey- their main two players this finals campaign- both led from the front for the Demons with four goals.
Damien Dell’Aquilla has had a stellar month in the absence of a number of stars. Widmer, Richardson, Angel and Carey were among a host of stars to miss football during this time after the Demons went on a mid-season run of nine consecutive wins.
They have a well-seasoned list under Chris Yard and loom as the dark horse of this competition. Brant Jack and Luke Bilbe are hardened bodies and have key roles in the middle and up forward respectively.
Matt Thomas is an accountable defender and has added to their list since his return to the club. He could get a key role on a mid-sized forward like Jeremy Kiel or Matt Rawlinson, both of whom represented AFL Sydney in this year’s representative campaign.
There is no doubt they can kick a winning score, but can they defend one on Henson Park where goals can come freely?
Seb Parker led the defensive unit but his likely absence will put more reliance on the likes of Kieran Wright and Daniel Witt. Wright is a well-renowned rebounding defender and opposition coach, Rhys McAlister will no doubt have put some work into quelling his influence.
The Bulldogs are in a different position to last year when they finished first and won their two matches to claim the title. This time they have to win four games to defend their premiership.
They lost some great names from last year’s premiership side, in particular Dane Rampe and Sam Tagliabue. Ian Carroll, Tim Garrett and Steve Benjamin were three of the defensive unit to call it quits.
Replacing those names is a tough gig and the Bulldogs have been a bit more inconsistent than what they would have liked.
McAlister is one of the best playing coaches going around and his troops will be ready and they will need to be.
Max Collett is such a pivotal player in the middle. The senior representative vice-captain will go against the likes of Aaron Crisfield and Alex Goodall in the centre duels.
Hayden Nichols has come on another level and will rotate through the middle alongside Joel Robbie and skipper Pete Kefalas.
Rawlinson and Kiel add the talent and will need the ball in their hands if they are to hit the scoreboard.
Down back, McAlister and Ryan Plant are the main men. They are good users of the ball and will take key forwards. Up the other end, Henry Mason is the predominant forward and has been a strong addition in the absence of the leading goal kicker from last year (injured), Leigh Lavery.
The Bulldogs won their last clash less than a month ago by over one-hundred points but no way known will the result be as big this time with a number of key Demons back.
Previous Match-Ups
Round 16 (10/8/13)- UNSW/ES 18.9.117 def. Pennant Hills 2.7.19
Round 8 (1/6/13)- Pennant Hills 13.17.95 def. UNSW/ES 10.8.68
Prediction
Pennant Hills could do some real damage this finals and with a tough midfield could out-bully the Bulldogs on-ball brigade this weekend. If they keep Mason, Rawlinson and Kiel quiet, the Demons are well on the way to victory.
Pennant Hills by 15 points.
Other Observations in selected Finals Matches to be played this weekend
Division Two
Moorebank were firing up forward last weekend thanks to the advice from a well-respected coach in the area. He was again asked to attend club training this week as the side looks to keep their run going against Sydney University this Sunday in another do-or-die clash.
Can Manly keep their unbelievable club run against Western Suburbs in the second Semi Final? Manly have been largely unchallenged this season but will face a tough ask against Western Suburbs who were impressive against Sydney University last week.
Division Three
Nor-West had a last gasp victory last weekend and there is a lot of confidence in the club if their Facebook page is anything to go by. They face Gosford who were considered one of the form sides but now face elimination if they lose this week.
Blacktown Magic with centurion goal kicker Ash Moeller will be strong favourites against Randwick City for a stream lined passage to the Grand Final.
Division One
UTS in this grade are the highest remaining senior side for the club. They play a physical brand of football and will be looking for more silverware in a competition they dominated for many years before promotion to Premier Division. They may start slight favourites against Holroyd-Parramatta who are likely to miss exciting young gun, Jordan Pidgeon.
UNSW/ES have re-found their mojo in recent times but will find the going tough against one of the surprise packets in St George who have impressed many after being promoted due to their premiership in Division Two.
Last Modified on 28/08/2013 13:40
