We are now down to four teams and this week will determine the first team into the Premier Division Grand Final while for either Manly-Warringah or St George it will be season over.
East Coast Eagles vs Pennant Hills Demons – Henson Park - Saturday 3.30pm
Old time rivals East Coast and Pennant Hills will do battle in the 2nd Semi Final at Henson Park for a place in the Grand Final.
After losing their first game of the season, the Eagles have gone on a 15 game winning streak, dominating all opponents along the way to claim the minor premiership. They have had two weeks rest now after they had the bye in Round 18 and should be fresh for the final few games in 2015.
Pennant Hills were impressive in their win over reigning premiers Manly Warringah last Saturday, their first finals Premier Division victory over the Giants. The Demons defence was a highlight of the game restricting the Giants to only four goals for the match, their lowest for a very long time.
The Eagles have won both encounters against the Demons, in Round 4 on a boggy Mike Kenny Oval as well as in Round 11 at Kanebridge Oval by 61 points. Pennant Hills were still in the match at three quarter time but kicked 5.12 in the Round 11 matchup and if they want to beat East Coast, accuracy in front of goals is vital.
KEY MATCHUP: Trent Stubbs vs Tom Angel
Trent Stubbs has shown how good a player he is kicking 59 goals from the midfield whilst racking up 30+ touches almost every week. You would expect to see his name around the top of the leader board on Phelan Medal night. Tom Angel will most likely go head to head with Stubbs while they are both in the middle of the ground. Angel has had a career best year in 2015 and is in the running to claim a spot in the Team of the Year after being named one of the nominees.
Prediction: Eagles class to prevail. East Coast by 34 points
Manly Warringah v St George Dragons – Henson Park- Sunday 2.30pm
Both sides depth will be tested this week after injuries and suspension’s from last week.
The Giants were very disappointed with last weeks loss to Pennant Hills and will enter this 1st Semi Final without two of their key players. Gareth Benbow and Brayden Fowler will both miss this match after being suspended in last weeks loss and are huge outs at both ends of the ground for the reigning Premiers. The likely return of Angus Buncle and possibly Ryan Wearne to the backline goes some way to the loss of Benbow while Tom Pyle should also return giving more ruck depth against the exceptional Jordan West. The Giants will really need the ever consistent Connor Pettersson to perform as well as their fringe players to step up to win this one.
The Dragons weren’t convincing last week however still got the job done against Sydney University in the Elimination Final. St George will also be missing players this week, most notably representative player Bryce Addison who suffered a leg injury in last weeks win. Alexander Wynn should be a welcome return to the young Dragons side who are looking to make their third straight Preliminary Final. Nick Ryan burst out of the blocks last week and if he can kick another 4 goals it will go a long way to a Dragons win. He has strong support in the likes of veteran Declan Donohue and Nathan Kenny so its a dangerous forward line capable of kicking a big score. St George have been thereabouts for a number of seasons now without taking the next step but this is their big opportunity to make a statement to the competition.
St George haven’t defeated Manly in 2015 after defeats in Rounds 6 and 14 however the Manly side they will face this week is considerably different to that they faced in both those earlier meetings.
KEY MATCHUP: Jackson Pola-Smith vs Travis Martin
With Fowler out, Manly will look to youngster Jackson Pola-Smith to shoulder the goal scoring load so the Dragons likely match up here will be influential. After only kicking four goals last week as a team, Pola-Smith will need to lead from the front to kick Manly a winning score and if Martin can keep him quiet and to under a couple of goals, the Dragons will be in with a big shot to knock out last years premiers.
Prediction: Dragons by 4 points
Last Modified on 11/09/2015 15:03
