NEWS: Grand Final spots up for grabs in both Men’s and Women’s Div 1 semis this weekend
WITH the top two positions in both the Men’s and Women’s Division 1 competitions having been confirmed well over a month ago, it’s highly expected that all those teams – Barwon and Geelong Rangers in the Men’s and Drysdale and Deakin in the Women’s divisions - will advance through to next week’s Grand Finals. Nonetheless, their respective opponents this weekend will surely have other ideas.
Newly crowned MEN’S DIVISION 1 league champions Barwon SC will host 4th placed Surfside Waves at Grovedale Reserve on Sunday at 3pm.
Although Barwon accumulated an astonishing 47 competition points from a possible 54 in the 2017 regular season and will be heading into Sunday’s semi-final the overwhelming favourites, the Ocean Grove side will be keen to cause a major boilover.
Across town, meanwhile, the in-form second placed finisher Geelong Rangers hosts old rivals Breakwater Eagles at Myers Reserve at the unusual starting time of 2:45pm.
Rangers have been in ominous form of late, overtaking the Eagles into second spot on the ladder in Round 15 and not looking back since.
In the WOMEN’S DIVISION 1 competition, the two way battle for the league championship continued right up until the final round of the regular season last Saturday, when Drysdale was able to defeat third placed Surf Coast 3-0 and stave off the eventual runners-up Deakin Ducks.
On Saturday, Drysdale hosts the fourth place finishing Barwon SC, which managed to scrape into the Finals’ Series after disposing of the previously fourth placed Kardinia College last weekend.
The game will be staged on Saturday at Howard Glover Reserve, with kick-off set down for 3pm.
It is expected to be Drysdale SC’s last ever home game at the East Geelong complex, with the Bellarine club expected to finally make the move to its own facility at the Drysdale Multi-Sport Complex in 2018
In the other Women’s Semi-final, Deakin Ducks host the third placed Surf Coast FC at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus at 3pm.
It has been incredible year for the Coasters, making the Top Four Finals’ Series in their first year in the local elite division, after gaining promotion from Division 2 last year.
Nonetheless, the Duckettes will be in no mood for any sentiment as they strive to secure back-to-back Grand Final triumphs. Defeating Surf Coast on Saturday will be the first step in achieving that goal.
PHOTO: The 2017 Men’s Division 1 champions – Barwon SC. Will the Blue and Whites capture the coveted double or will Geelong Rangers redeem themselves for their stumble in last year’s Grand Final? (Photo: Evra Photography)
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.