Central Eyre coach Peter Cock. His side was the first to qualify after squaring the season ledger with the Hawks two all, but the last time by a solitary point only in the dying seconds of the match, so not much of an advantage to defend!
West Coast Hawks coach Dillon Montgomerie. Needs to overcome more than the solitary point deficit! The Hawks havent won a final at the Elliston Oval since 2001, that is 12 years, quite a hoodoo for a club with the highest finals winning percentage in Mid West!
See the Fixtures/ Results section - Match Centre - Selected Teams for team line ups likely for the match. This will be amended to the final 21 players when final lists are lodged.
2013 Mid West Grand Final
A Grade - Central Eyre vs West Coast Hawks
It almost seems fitting that the two bolters through the season will settle the premiership between them, so much at stake, redeeming disappointing 2012 memories for only one of them. What a contest this promises to be after one point separated the sides in the 2nd semi in a true classic. Stakes are even higher this time around!
Firstly a Mid West history lesson: Premierships Central Eyre 6, West Coast Hawks 6. All finals win rate Central Eyre 53.85%, West Coast Hawks 62.5%, both the best amongst all clubs. Head to head in 2013 - Central Eyre 2 wins, West Coast Hawks 2 wins. A remarkably similar record of the two most successful clubs ever in Mid West. The last three finals games between these two was the recent one pointer, the Hawks by 9 points in last years 2nd semi, and prior to that, the 2007 Grand Final, where the Bulldogs prevailed over an undefeated Hawks by 16 points, at, well in fact it was Elliston.
Always something happening when these two meet, a player count called by Central Eyre in 2010 against the Hawks (the colourful descriptors between each other best not printed here), eventually settled by the SANFL, red and yellow cards, reports, just two proud clubs who will not back off at any stage.
The trip to Elliston is a true neutral venue, wonderful surface and setting but what a finals graveyard it has been for the Hawks! 1 win from 5 games, maybe the fresh ocean fragrance mesmorises them? The Bulldogs faring better with 2 wins from 4 games here, but of course the most recent finals visit ending in the 9 goal 30 behind disaster - 2012 Prelim Final loss to the Roosters.
The Bulldogs have enjoyed the weeks rest and will have a close to full list. Hearts go out to Tom Freeth who broke down with a serious knee injury during the season. A question mark exists over Mark May also with a knee from the reserves match last week, but he will be given every opportunity. The Hawks are less settled with several changes likely, Cody Colbung, Derick Freeman and Joe Danis are all big ins from the Preliminary Final side. Nobody really knows what part of the planet the elusive Brent Bascombe is presently, but he would be so handy here and now! It is understood that Joe McInnis's arm injury is actually a break, therefore he is a big out, his run and goal sense opens up so many games, no doubt that Joe will have more Grand Final opportunities in the future, but will be devastated to miss this.
Bulldog coach Peter Cock has been thinking long and hard on this one. He has plenty of keys at his disposal, maybe a few road trips for goal kicking practice at the venue may help, second year at the helm of Central Eyre and has them flying. Dillon Montgomerie is in his first year of senior coaching at the Hawks, and brings many years of experience at high levels of country football. Picking the side for a Grand Final is one of the toughest jobs a coach has.
Match ups abound, versatile Wade O Brien, probably the best full forward in the League against the king of full backs Derick Freeman, the tussle alone could decide the game. EP ruckman Dylan Kelsh will have his hands full with the double teaming of Tim Polkinghorne and young gun Brett McComb. Kane Sampson won the Best on Ground Medal in 2007, dominating from Centre Half Forward, and he just continues to lead the way. Travis Brown likely to get the job here and must use his run to make sure Kane has to follow him too. Centreline duals are the elite of the competition, Mail Medalist Jake Bruce will be challenged once again by Dillon Cabot, nothing surer! Not many have an engine to go with Jake for a full game, but Dillon is one of the few. Allow Jake 25 to 30 possessions at Elliston is gifting Central Eyre a premiership cup, and 25 to 30 possessions is a quiet day! Jared Sampson, Clint Winter, Tyler Chapman Micah Van Loon, Lochy Heath are all class, great ball winners and importantly, users. The Hawks boast Dillon Montgomerie, Jake Sargent, Cody Colbung, Kirk Montgomerie and Nick Schumann. Both of these midfields are quick and prolific, setting up highly productive forward lines. Kirk Montgomerie has settled down to a more family based lifestyle with his lovely long term lady, and he has enjoyed a great season for it. Dance floor social injuries at this time of year are now only remembered rather than lived!
Welcome back Steed Sutherland to the Hawks, a match under the belt and his marking ability is a must for Elliston, Ty McKenna has been outstanding all year and will use his leap and judgement to great advantage, probably as Steed’s direct opponent. For the Dogs, Ryan Sampson just loves the hard tough finals games, his in tight ball winning ability is legendary. The strength and experience of Martin Grocke and Matt Beinke will be even more important on the smaller venue. The half back line of the Hawks include Tyson Montgomerie and Damien Johnson, both Grand Final veterans and repel loose opposition attacks quicker than they come in. This is the first line of Hawks attack. Lance Appleby, Jake McEvoy and Marc McEvoy are youngsters whose stars are rising, this is a big occasion for them.
This promises to be one of the very best Grand Finals in recent history, both play an exciting brand of football and both will go to the ground expecting to win. So who will be toasting success?
The Hawks love open spaces, but will need to adapt to the smaller ground, shallow pockets mean less than pin point passes are eaten by defenders of both sides. Central Eyre appear to have an edge in the height and strength stake, this is important in grabbing contested marks. Tackling will be quick and ferocious in the tighter confines, neither of these sides are frightened of this, either giving or taking tougher treatment. In a game where the result will not be known until very late, I suspect the bigger stronger bodies of the more settled Bulldogs to hold the cup aloft at 5pm after an enormous battle.
Last Modified on 05/09/2013 13:17