Division One
Southern Power vs UNSW/ES Bulldogs- Blacktown 1pm
Southern Power will start short-priced favourites in the Division One Grand Final against UNSW/ES.
The Power will be seeking their first Senior Grade Grand Final win since 2010 and will be hoping for a better outing than the previous two years where they finished runner-up. Albeit both were against a rampant Manly-Warringah side that now features in the Premier Division Grand Final.
UNSW/ES on the other hand have had a fantastic finals campaign after finishing fourth with seven losses in the regular season. They have won three finals matches and could well spring another upset this weekend.
The Power have class players on every line, headlined by Snow Medalist Stuart Brierty on the wing. The Bulldogs can ill-afford to let Brierty get in open pastures such is his pace. Daniel Turner is also dangerous on the flanks and has a raking left boot.
Veteran Alan Fritsch is back for another tilt at the premiership and kicked four goals in the Qualifying Final win over UTS Bats.
Andrew Craig was the Snow Medalist last year and will be a key player in the ruck and rotating deep forward.
In what has been a tight finals series in Division One, UNSW/ES has not blown away any side but have some impressive scalps under their belt in St George, Holroyd-Parramatta, and UTS last weekend.
Fletcher Rowe was best last weekend and is a versatile tall. Cameron McKinlay is one who has impressed in the Premier Division Bulldogs outfit, while Tim Garrett is a player who has a lot of Premier Division experience down back.
It would be a fairytale story if the Bulldogs won for Troy Luff. Luff is well-known in Sydney football circles, not only for his 155 games with the Sydney Swans but also his AFL Sydney career post-Swans.
The 42 year-old is still seeking that elusive first premiership in his career, and Saturday will be his ninth attempt on Grand Final day.
He turned back the clock with a five goal best-on-ground performance earlier in the finals campaign and despite admittedly slowing down, knows his way around an AFL field. He and 401 game veteran Brett Roberts will add much needed experience when the going gets tough.
Prediction: Southern Power are well-primed for this match and should have too much class for a plucky Bulldogs side. Power by 21 points.
Best on Ground: Andrew Craig. He is a class player and for a big man has good agility and marking ability around the ground.
Under 18 Division One
Pennant Hills Demons vs UNSW/ES Bulldogs- 10.50am
It is fitting the best two Under 18 sides face off for the Premiership on Saturday.
Both sides only lost two games in the regular season, with both also boasting very similar attacking and defensive records.
Pennant Hills will have the psychological advantage having defeated the Bulldogs in the Qualifying Final a fortnight ago by 40 points. That day, the Bulldogs were kept goalless after half-time.
Expect this match to be a lot closer given the class individuals in the Bulldogs line-up.
Abe Davis is a highly-credentialed youngster that will have every chance of being drafted. Others that should gain attention from Pennant Hills will be Tyler Roos and Jordan Foote. Luke Towell and Luke Irvine also have impressive records in the junior competition.
On the flipside, Pennant Hills are a well-balanced and well-coached side.
Brad Watson and Nick Hey are elite users of the ball, while Daniel Preen is a key forward who finishes very well.
Prediction: You have to love the balance in Pennant Hills' line-up. They have got a good mix of under-age players and those who have played under a similar system from last year. They will be challanged though. Pennant Hills by 8 points.
Best on Ground: Abe Davis. Although he may play in a losing side, cream rises to the top and Abe if he gets off the chain is an elite user of the ball and has the ability to win his own ball as a good-sized utility.
Under 18 Division Two
Manly-Warringah Wolves vs Holroyd-Parramatta Goannas- 8.45am
Holroyd-Parramatta have a herculean task to try and overturn their 73-point second semi-final loss to Manly-Warringah in their Grand Final clash this weekend.
The Goannas saying that can take confidence out of their return to form against Macquarie University in the Preliminary Final last weekend.
Mitchell Bleesing will be a pivotal player for the Goannas, as will Christopher Wolfe up forward. Wolfe kicked four goals against the Wolves in a lone hand up forward in their loss mentioned above.
The Wolves are again impressive in the second-tier Under 18 competition and will be looking to go one better after falling to Southern Power in last year's decider.
They have a more experienced list and have only lost one game this season. Tom McCaffrey (pictured) as made a good impression in the Premier Division line-up this year, and along with Mitchell Bell are the main two players that the Goannas will need to quell.
Prediction: It is hard to see anything other than a Wolves victory such has been their dominance this year. Needless to say Holroyd-Parramatta need to start fast out of the blocks. Manly-Warringah by 55 points.
Best on Ground: Tom McCaffrey- A good-sized player who can hit the scoreboard will always be dangerous in Grand Finals. Won a Rising Star Nomination in Round 13 and will be a great Wolves player for years to come.
Last Modified on 19/09/2013 10:44
