And in the blink of an eye over half the competitions are in finals this weekend. It’s not often you can say that almost any of the five sides left in each competition can win but this year almost every competition is wide open.
Division Two
Qualifying Final – Saturday 29th August at 3:30pm at BISP - Blacktown Magic v Manly-Warringah
2014 runners-up Blacktown Magic will be looking to go one better this year and they begin their finals campaign with a matchup against Manly-Warringah, the side they defeated in last years Preliminary Final. The Magic finished the home and away season in 2nd with 12 wins including defeating Saturdays opponent on two occasions. They come into this match off the back of four successive wins and with quality players returning to the side during this period, will be a major player come the real pointy end. Moeller and Polkinghorne are just two of many to keep an eye on.
Manly-Warringah however have mixed their form of late but are proven September performers, something that will hold them in very good stead again. Impressively, the Giants are the only reserve grade side in the Division Two finals which shows the depth of the club. If anything, the depth of players at the Giants is deeper than in previous years meaning this side have a real chance to go one better than they did in 2013.
Prediction: Blacktown to prevail in a tight one. Magic by 10 points.
Elimination Final – Sunday 30th August at 3:30pm at BISP - Moorebank v Penrith
It’s all or nothing for the Magpies and Rams in the final game of the weekend and one thing for sure is that no inch will be given. With all the focus on the sides above them, Moorebank have flown under the radar somewhat and are primed for a big end to the season. Well structured, the other finalists will be very wary of the abilities. Penrith on the other hand were touted as near unbackable favourites in the preseason but have limped to finals in 5th place. That said, none of the sides above them will take anything for granted and Camden could well rue their final round slip up which allowed the Rams into finals.
The sides have matched up twice so far this year with the ledger at 1 win each. Their most recent match was a 9 point win for the Magpies at Rosedale two weeks ago which should prove a good guide to this important clash. It wouldn’t surprise if the winner of this match claims a few more scalps along the way.
Prediction: Tough hard footy but the class of Moorebank to come to the fore. Magpies by 35 points.
Division Three
Qualifying Final – Saturday 29th August at 1:20pm at BISP – Sydney University v Penrith
The Students commence their finals campaign off the back of five straight wins including a last start walloping of the bottom placed UNSW/ES as well as victory over minor premiers UTS earlier this month. They will be one of the real fancies with just the three losses this season and as their depth is well know so a big chance to claim another AFL Sydney premiership cup. They boast solid wins over the Rams in both their matchups to date and would be confident of making it three. Former Premier Division star Gabe Robbie up forward will prove a handful.
Penrith on the other hand have had somewhat of an inconsistent season to date. After a strong start to the year, they have had patches where a number of back to back losses stopped them from being a genuine minor premiership contender. They returned to the winners list last weekend with a 2 goal win over Nor-West after dropping three of five matches prior, concerningly two against sides outside the top 5. In the middle of this though they weren’t far off this weekends opponent (3 goals) so aren’t without a chance. If they can get the ball forward with regularity though they must be a big chance with Mitch Stevens, Ben Robinson and Jake Shelley kicking over a ton of goals between then this year!
Prediction: The depth of Sydney Uni will be on show. Students by 25 points.
Elimination Final – Sunday 30th August at 1:20pm at BISP – Pennant Hills v Western Suburbs
4th v 5th pits two sides who faced each other just last week up against each other once again. And last week’s result couldn’t have been more comprehensive for the Magpies who won by more than 8 goals in a win that may have surprised a few. Pennant Hills had arguably been the form team of the competition the previous five weeks with a victory over minor premiers UTS amongst that streak so would have gone into the match with plenty of confidence. They were brought back to earth with a jolt however as the experienced Magpies led from start to finish to score arguably their best win of the season and stamp themselves as a genuine chance. The experienced side has come a long way from the one which had only two wins to its name in late June.
For the Demons to win, the equation is quite simple, they will need to shut down key forward Matthew Eurell who has booted 48 goals for the team this year. The fact he didn’t play in last weeks victory adds more weight to the Magpies chances.
Prediction: It will be a tight one! The Demons by 3 points in an upset.
Division Four
Qualifying Final – Saturday 29th August at 11:10am at BISP – Holroyd-Parramatta v Wollondilly
Its a case of déjà vu for these two sides who meet each other in consecutive weeks after playing a thrilling match last Saturday. Holroyd-Parramatta claimed a 3 point win in this clash and held off a fast finishing Knights outfit. A very similar match can be expected this weekend which will highlight the improving quality of the Division Four competition.
Reigning Division Four Best & Fairest winner Daniel Hockey is all class and will set the Knights up well while on the flip side, the diminutive Jordy Pidgeon for the Goannas is an excitement machine and has huge influence over his sides chances. He along with another former representative player Adam Byrne is decent arsenal for Division Four. No doubt both sides will look to nullify these stars which will be influential in the final result.
The Goannas have claimed a 9 point and a 3 point win over the Knights this year but their record in recent years in senior finals is poor at best and they will be looking to get that elusive victory over last years runners up who started the season as the side to beat.
Prediction: A nail biter. Wollondilly to win in an extra time thriller by 7 points.
Elimination Final – Sunday 30th August at 11:10am at BISP – Manly-Warringah v Campbelltown
It’s been a tough year for Campbelltown following the withdrawal of their Premier Division side however a return to finals action for the club, albeit in Division Four, presents a great opportunity for the Blues. They were probably expected to finish much higher when this side became their seniors but the Blue scraped into finals last weekend on percentage after results fell their way. They boast arguably the best player in the competition in Peni Mahina who is the sides barometer. If Mahina gets 30+ possessions, the Blues will be hard to hold out.
Their opposition comes in the form of Manly-Warringah which is an impressive feat for the clubs 3rd grade side. Depth will be their issue being their bottom grade but they entered finals with an outstanding win over Camden away from home last weekend which knocked the Cats out of finals. In the two sides earlier meetings this year, the Giants have scored big wins over the Blues including a 14 goal demolition in July so will fancy their chances to make it three and bundle Campbelltown out of the competition.
Prediction: A great effort by the Giants to make finals however the class of Campbelltown will shine through. Blues by 21 points.
Division Five
2nd Semi Final – Saturday 29th August at 9:00am at BISP – UTS v UNSW/ES
Its a battle of the Eastern Suburbs in the opening match of the weekend with the victor the first team to progress to the Grand Final.
Minor Premiers UTS sat back last weekend while their opponents comfortably accounted for Penrith in the Qualifying Final. The teams have met twice this season with both claiming a victory each, the most recent a 5 goal Bats victory at Village Green.
Its been a tough year across the board for the Bulldogs club and one of the few shining lights has been their Division Five side. Unfortunately this light may be dimmed if the Bats midfield can get the ball forward with four of the Bats players having kicked 23 goals or more each this season.
Prediction: Might be a tough day at the office for the Dogs. UTS by 30 points.
1st Semi Final – Sunday 30th August at 9:00am at BISP – Penrith v Pennant Hills
Penrith come into this after being comprehensively outplayed by the Bulldogs last week while Pennant Hills were impressive when they ended Holroyd-Parramatta’s season. Wily veterans Yard and Hare to name a few, wound back the clock last weekend for the Demons and if they can do that once again they will prove hard to hold out. Kevin Kirk will again shoulder the load up forward for the Rams.
The sides have only met once this year, in Round 2 which saw a 2 goal win to the Demon’s so wont know alot about each other.
Prediction: A straight sets exit for the Rams. Demons by 17 points.
Women’s Division Two
2nd Semi Final – Sunday 30th August at 2:15pm at Henson Park – Gosford v Auburn
A second semi that at the start of the season would have shocked most. For one side though, a Grand Final berth is assured which is a great effort from two young clubs.
The Wildcats came from the clouds to seal a maiden minor premiership and have been building nicely this year. After losing their opening two games of the year, a finals place might have seemed like a pipe dream however just the one other loss for the remainder of the year see’s them as the side to beat. They boast numerous representative players which will hold them in good stead for the big games.
Auburn also have been a real surprise packet this season. They dropped two of their final three home and away matches to lose the minor premiership but they are well aware that richer rewards await. The loss of Lael Kassem this year has been significant but hasn’t slowed them down and they have added superstar youngster Haneen Zreika who wins plenty of the football.
Prediction: Gosford’s rep experience will be pivotal. Wildcats by 14 points.
1st Semi Final – Sunday 30th August at 12:00pm at Henson Park – UTS v Penrith
The Shamrocks can probably hardly believe their eyes. Their third consecutive season when they take on Penrith in an elimination final at the same venue! They sit 0 and 2 on that scorecard and will be looking to get one back this year.
Penrith on the other hand would probably say that its been a below par year so far. That means nothing though once finals starts and they are there and despite their position, must be one of the top two flag fancies. Renee Tomkins was absolutely superb in the ruck last weekend and must be shut down. A booming kick, that territory gain is vital in this competition. With the likes of Vella, Camilleri and Perrett running through the middle its a potent side.
Many would have thought that this match up in finals would be a likely Grand Final however for one team it will be season over come Sunday afternoon.
Prediction: The Rams are building at the right time. Penrith by 22 points
Last Modified on 28/08/2015 13:54
