Grand Final Preview
Manly-Warringah Wolves vs Pennant Hills Demons- 3.30pm Saturday at Blacktown
After one of the closest AFL Sydney seasons in recent history, the Grand Final will feature two evenly matched sides, one with the best defensive record, the other with the best attack in the competition.
Manly have impressed everyone in their first year in the Premier Division competition, only losing three games this season. During the regular season, they only conceded on average 54 points a game in a stunning statistic.
Manly head coach Leigh Brain has the players understanding their individual role, renowned for their pressure acts and hard running both ways- a brand similar to what the Sydney Swans have made famous in recent years.
Pennant Hills have flair and can attack from all angles. They averaged 101 points a game in attack and have multiple avenues to goal. While they only boasted two players in the AFL Sydney Team of the Year they have a number of players who have that X-factor.
Chris Yard took the side on a golden run during the middle of the year, and tapering in the back-half of the year that could well prove to be a master stroke. Yard’s management of a number of sore bodies has ensured that the Demons will be close to full strength.
It has been a different finals series for both clubs. Manly finished the season minor premiers, had the first weekend off, and controlled their Qualifying Final against St George to earn a golden pass straight through to the Grand Final. They should be fresh but are they lacking that genuine finals hit-out?
The same can’t be said for the Demons. They blew UNSW/ES away after half-time in an impressive Elimination Final performance before arguably their closest shave against North Shore in Semi Final weekend. They trailed for most of the match only for a late flurry to see them home by a single goal.
Last weekend against St George they had a two to three goal break for most of the match. In an enterprising affair they eliminated St George from the finals race with a 21-point win. It has been a bruising finals campaign and it will be interesting to see if they have the gas in the tank to run with Manly.
Their run is symbolic of the Balmain Dockers last year, who came from fourth to make the Grand Final. With four points in it at three-quarter time, the Dockers slowed while the extra legs in the Bulldogs helped them to a seven-goal win that sealed the premiership.
Match Analysis
As noted in the opening, the match should see a contrast of styles which makes the battle in the midfield all the more important.
Both sides have class players and many rotation options who can go through the middle. Aaron Crisfield and Damian Dell’Aquilla both have the ability to win clearances and don’t shirk any physicality.
James Dunn was best for the Demons last week in a break-out performance for the eighteen year old. He has an accurate kick, speed and good defensive skills. Another defensive mid option is Matthew Thomas while Ranga Ediriwickrama has electrifying speed and can rotate through the midfield while spending most of his time up forward (four goals last week).
Manly- Warringah have Craig Pridgeon who can play as a defensive mid-fielder. There are strong users of the football with genuine leg speed in David Stroud and Connor Pettersson. Jacob Graham will start in the ruck and is one of the more under-rated players in the Manly- Warringah lineup.
Since his return he has been very impressive and can be dangerous going forward. Sam Widmer will need to follow him down and also make him accountable the other way.
There are also injuries that have effected both midfields. Alex Goodall was named as the All AFL Sydney midfielder but is out through injury. A strong poller for Manly at Phelan Medal Night, Gareth Benbow will also be out.
You can’t forget the Phelan Medalist Tyrone Armitage. Manly’s ace has had an incredible season and made the transition to top flight football with aplomb. He was named vice-captain in the Team of the Year and has led his side superbly. With an accurate left-foot kick, he has strong defensive skills but also the ability to kick goals across half-forward. Matt Thomas could well get the important job on Armitage.
Pennant Hills would be well-served stopping Manly’s launches off half-back. Lachlan Kilpatrick has played a fair bit of football across here for the Wolves and is a classy and evasive player. Nathan Bosschieter and ex-Swan listee Jack Lynch are also players that the Demons will need to lock down on when their side doesn’t have the ball.
Anthony Robertson is another player who has gone to the next level this year. He has good skills and a strong centre of gravity and was the best player in the AFL Sydney Development Representative squad this year and is also the reigning Manly Best and Fairest.
It goes without saying that goals will be crucial in building pressure so all eyes will be on the duels inside 50. Hayden Washington is back from suspension and will be the key forward for the Wolves. The left footer who crossed from North Shore over the off-season has been switched into the forward post and has impressed many with his presence. Daniel Witt might get the job on the dangerous forward.
Up the other end, Luke Bilbe is a hulking forward who has strong contested marking ability. He will also relieve Widmer in the ruck. Wils Brassil who has played Reserves football with the Swans this year could get the job, or may it be Daniel Pearson?
Manly- Warringah have shown they haven’t been intimidated by any occasion so far this season. A good start will be pivotal to their chances. For Pennant Hills, the question will be if they have the legs. Again a fast start along with rotating players will be top of Chris Yard’s mind.
All in all, it should be a cracking Grand Final between two deserving sides.
Prediction
There is an eerie similarity to last year in terms of where both sides have made their way through to the Grand Final. Manly like UNSW/ES finished minor premiers courtesy of a last round win, while Pennant Hills have had to grind their way through all the finals matches.
Manly-Warringah are in the box seat to claim the title and start deserved favourites to cap off a Cinderella story this year.
Manly- Warringah by 10 points
Highlight of the Match
Ranga Ediriwickrama breaking two tackles and kicking the goal of the match from a tight angle. Either that or a speckie over two Manly defenders.
Rod Podbury Medalist
David Stroud off the half back might get under the guard of Pennant Hills given the notoriety of Pettersson, Robertson and Armitage and seems primed for a big game.
Last Modified on 18/09/2013 15:27
