It is also the biggest day of football for Longwarry since they joined the EDFL - for it also has U/16s & Reserves teams playing for the flag today.
Longwarry has never won a senior EDFL flag. They last played in the grand final in 2014 when it lost to Buln Buln when the league was split into East and West divisions. Nyora won its last EDFL flag in 2007 when it went back to back premiers. Unusually both teams did not play in the finals in 2017 and have never played each other in a grand final before.
SENIORS – NYORA v LONGWARRY
Head to Head in 2018
Round 6 – Longwarry 10.10.70 lost to Nyora 12.3.75
Round 15 – Nyora 9.14.68 defeated Longwarry 7.9.51
Qual Final – Nyora 9.4.58 defeated Longwarry 6.7.43
TOP 5 LEADING GOAL KICKERS PER CLUB
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NYORA
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LONGWARRY
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Ben Schultz 57
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Daniel Fry 75
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IIan Osman 50
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Brendan McHugh 49
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Aiden Cumberland 17
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Cory Lenders 34
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Ben Hallas 14
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Riley Rundell 21
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Ryan Spooner 13
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Ben Cuckson 12
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Nyora has been both the big improver and pacesetter this season. It has played with incredible self-assurance all year. Similar to last season’s premiers Catani it has managed to put the score on the board when it counts. Rosebud recruits forward Ben Schultz and midfielders Ryan Spooner and Rhys Bancroft have all produced the goods. On baller Dylan Heylen and ruckman Nick Carrigy along with coach, veteran and key defender Fia Too Too have all been outstanding.
The strength of Longwarry sits with its balance, pace and ability to attack quickly down the corridor. The composure and ball winning ability of centreman Russell Lehman has been instrumental. He has received tremendous support from Brodie and Riley Rundell, Kane Oldham, Corey Lenders and Jake Delphine. In defence Aaron Serong, Cole Cook and Ken Towt never play a bad game. Another strength is their flexibility with Ben Cuckson, Leigh McDonald, Josh Bourke, Aaron Serong and Towt all with the ability to play at both ends.
The ruck clash between Nick Redley and Nick Carrigy shapes as crucial. If either side can find a player to be a forward x-factor it could make the difference because In all three meetings the defence has dominated. The Crows speed of ball movement has worried all sides except the Saints.
Wisdom suggests Nyora - who have accounted for Longwarry in all three clashes this season should win the 2018 premiership. But it shapes as a heart stopping game!
RESERVES – LONGWARRY v ELLINBANK
The minor premiers Longwarry will enter favourites but based on results over the last fortnight this match could go either way. In the Qualifying final the Crows beat the Dusties by 23 points and in the Preliminary final Ellinbank beat the Dusties by exactly the same margin. Longwarry’s strength this season has been due to its strong ruck division led by Ryan Wouters, Dylan McLaren, Braydon Munroe and Ric Salce with experienced forwards Glenn Browney and Paul Williams showing they still have plenty to offer. The Eagles were fantastic last week. And while on experience Kristian Bingham, Neale Parke and Toby Wallace provide plenty across their lines while Ash Scott, Jayson Barwick, Jaxon Notman and Jimmy Scammell. the later who has been on fire with 11 goals in his last two games is sure to trouble to the Crows defence.
U/18s – CATANI v NEERIM SOUTH
Minor premiers Neerim South finished the home and away season undefeated but lost the Second Semi Final to Catani by five points. The Cats should be better for last weeks match against Buln Buln. It won emphatically and can enter confident it can seek revenge against the Blues this time around.
Among the Neerim players playmakers in a very well-balanced side are ruck rover Rhys George, who last week won the Bill Cumming Medal for league best and fairest, ruck Lachlan Guy and midfielders Justin Lockett and Josh White. Its leading goal kickers Cooper Clancy (40) along with Adam White (36) and utility Corey Peterson will all have to be closely watched by the Blues. Expect Catani Co-Captains Jason Cox and Liam Adams to provide plenty of drive along with Kiam Rose who has read play superbly behind the centre in both finals games and Lennard Edward-Hayes and Lauchlan Gregson, the later who kicked over 100 goals in the home and away season to trouble the Cats defenders.
U/16s – LONGWARRY V WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS
Longwarry upended the minor premiers Warragul Industrials in the Second-Semi Final by nine points. The Crows field 2018 Ian Cooper Medallist Bailey Stephens and leading goal kicker Angus Adamiak. Stephens has pace to burn and is one to keep an eye on for those to arrive to Western Park early. Ruckman Harry Stephens and defender Bailey Osseweyer have been consistent all season and utility Brodie Bould impressed with three goals against the Dusties when moved forward two weeks ago. This season the Dusties have shown to have a lot of contributors led by its ruck division of Brayden Hefford, Oliver Marek, Darcy Whelan and Nathan Mazza. Forwards Luke Kinder (45 goals) and Aiden Keady (25) are sure to play a big role in the result.
SELECTIONS
U/16s – WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS v Longwarry
U/18s – Catani v NEERIM SOUTH
RESERVES – LONGWARRY v Ellinbank
SENIORS – NYORA v Longwarry
Last Modified on 12/09/2018 11:08
