This Saturday’s 2015 EDFL grand final has all the ingredients of a classic contest.
Cora Lynn – the immovable object versus Bunyip – the irresistible force. The current champions the Cobras who are undefeated this year playing against the Bulldogs who have won 14 in a row.
Two teams at the top of their game. It doesn’t get any better!
Cora Lynn joined the EDFL in 2005 and is seeking its third EDFL premiership after winning its first EDFL flag in 2008. The Cobras were the 2014 West Division premiers. Bunyip who joined the league in 1982 will strive for its fourth EDFL premiership having won flags in 1990, 2000 and 2012. It will be the first time Cora Lynn and Bunyip meet in a grand final.
Last time they met: Round 3 – Cora Lynn 10.12.72 defeated Bunyip 4.10.34
Leading goal kickers in 2015
Cora Lynn
Ryan Gillis 72, Jackson Dalton 40, Nathan Langley 36, Anthony Giuliano 33, Daniel Uzarevic 28.
Bunyip
Matthew Ross 38, Jack Blakey 34, Adam Rakip 31, Brad Walker 20, Kris Fletcher 18.
Both sides enter the game in ripping touch after pushing aside their opposition last week with contempt in their respective preliminary finals. Cora Lynn won by 46 points over Neerim South and Bunyip by 63 points over Nar Nar Goon. Both have a suite of well performed midfielders. The Cobras boast Ricky Clark, Sean Marchetti, Nathan Gillis, Brady White and Jeremy Monckton who will match up against Michael Whyte, Kris Fletcher, Jeb McLeod, Brad Walker and Jake Buckingham.
Bunyip may yet have a card up their sleeve in Gippsland Power star Tom Papley should the Bulldogs have a change of mind and opt to play him.
Cora Lynn will field a team not to dissimilar to that that dismembered Koo Wee Rup in last year’s West Division grand final. The renaissance of Bunyip - the 2012 premiers - has largely been due the return to the club of Zac Vansittart, Brent Heus, Shane Smith and Brad Wolfe in concert with the recruitment of key defender Lachlan Petch, ruckman Bernie Jones and midfielders Kris Fletcher, Dean Fitzgerald and Jake Proctor.
Cora Lynn have displayed the better attacking power this year and Bunyip the superior defence to make it all the more mouth-watering contest.If the game is in the balance at three quarter time Bunyip will be the popular elect as it has finished off it games much better this season. On the premise Cora Lynn will be up and about early and able to build up a lead and Bunyip perhaps a bit tired having only a six day break and having to play in 26 degree heat last Sunday the Cobras must be the favourites – but only just.
RESERVES
The minor premiers Cora Lynn met Warragul Industrials in the final home and away round. On that day the Cobras held the Dusties to only two goals won by 36 points. This time around the result is sure to be closer because the Dusties will be bolstered by key defenders Damien Dawson and Drew Davey, promising wingman Michael Lynn, tough midfielder Troy Hemming, key forward Troy Kneebone and its leading goal kicker Ben Unstead. Warragul can enter the game with optimism as it has won its two finals over Nar Nar Goon and Bunyip with real authority. Cora Lynn’s strength is its ruck division led by Brad Starkey with support from joint 2015 Gerard Heenan medallist winner Justin Markulija, Nick Helsby, Kevin Van Der Berge and forward Alex Kors-Jones while around goals Caiden Slivarich, Corey Rowe and Shaun Ross have kicked 94 goals between them. The Cobras look to have a mite more skill and pace and this is likely to be the difference in a match that looks like it will go down to the wire.
U/18s
The ladder leaders Buln Buln will go into clear favourites against Ellinbank. The Lyrebirds will field a team with over half a dozen players to have had a taste of senior experience this year which will hold it in good stead. The Eagles have been the fairy-tale story of the finals making the grand final after finishing in eighth position. Buln Buln will field Charlie Park the competitions leading goal kicker and tall utility Nick Castle the U/18 Bill Cumming medallist for the league best and fairest this season. With the strength in defence provided by Riley Steenholdt, run through the middle by co-captains Mitchell Park and Jack Martyn in tandem with goal kicking half forwards Jake Pierrehumbert and Jack Nuttall, the later who was dynamic last week bagging four goals the Lyrebirds will take a power of beating. To add the Ellinbank’s challenge it has to fly in five players who were at an interstate school camp. What the Eagles have displayed is a terrific worth ethic and all over team balance in their three final victories. Ruckman Sean Masterson in an emerging star, Blake Notman, Dylan Armour and Michael Pandolfo will offer plenty of resistance behind the centre, Tom Robertson provides a good target up forward with support from two U/16s Lachlan Pratt and Joel Paredes while rover Tylet Hotckin knows how to find the ball. A victory for Ellinbank looks a bridge to far and Buln Buln runners up in both 2013 & 2014 are favoured to hold the cup aloft in their third successive attempt.
U/16s
In the fourths Koo Wee Rup who finished the home and way season in second position with meet Buln Buln that finished fifth. The Demons produced an upset when a behind in the dying seconds in last week’s preliminary final put an end to Longwarry’s flag aspirations. Demon ruckman Josh Smith, centreman Mitch Cammarano, ruck rover Travis Bindley and forward pocket Mitch Tribuzi are players to watch while for the Lyrebirds defender James Ireland, on ballers Sean Symes, Brandon Allen and Reece Campbell are quality players in the making. Half forward Hayden Baker has dash and skill and his last quarter last week was remarkable and in no small way gave his team a passage into the grand final.
EDFL GRAND FINALS AT CORA LYNN - Saturday 19th Sept
U/16s - Koo Wee Rup v Buln Buln
U/18s - Buln Buln v Ellinbank
Reserves - Cora Lynn v Warr Industrials
Seniors – Cora Lynn v Bunyip
Seniors - Cora Lynn v Bunyip
Game start times
U/16s - 8:30 am
U/18s - 10.17am
Reserves - 12.15pm
Seniors - 2.17pm..
Netball
A Grade — 2:30PM
Nar Nar Goon v KWR
B Grade — 1.15PM
Poowong v Dusties
C Grade — 12.00 NOON
Ellinbank v Dusties
D Grade — 11.00am
Ellinbank v Bunyip
E Grade — 10.00am
Dusties v Ellinbank
F Grade — 9.00am
Ellinbank v Dusties
GROUND LOOKING IN GREAT CONDITION
Last Modified on 18/09/2015 10:39