29 August 2019
Semi Finals
Huge weekend of sport in Mid West with Saturday / Sunday 2nd and 1st semi finals held on the same weekend for the first ever time. Thankyou to Central Eyre /Warramboo and Wirrulla as hosts and to everyone involved with large distances to cover. Mid season two week break paid back now! Football and Netball executives are anxious to hear feedback on this format for future programming, two weeks off at July holiday period vs a solid weekend of footy/netball at the start of finals? Please speak to your club delegates.
Those mighty Hawks have scooped 1st entry to the Grand Finals in every grade, a fantastic achievement in anyone’s language, and a huge congratulations to the club. Through pretty much unscathed too so they will be watching with interest this weekend as other contenders scrap it out.
Centrals may have been much closer however struggled for injury during the match, many sore bodies, Jake Sampson, Tasman Fitzgerald two keys amongst the wounded. Second chance for the proud Bulldogs though and they fight on. The Hawks too strong in the reserves against the Bombers and margin larger than most pundits would have predicted. The Magpies put up a great resistance against the Hawks Colts, perhaps the Hawk bigger bodies prevailing in the end.
First Semi’s saw a classic finals affair with the Magpies holding sway for so much of the match everywhere except the scoreboard, 4.16 to 4.0 at the half break. The good crowd was always expecting a Tiger surge at some point, but that didn’t really come until the last quarter where they rushed home with five goals to two, but just could not bridge the gap. Maggies seven point winners, convincing in general play but a repeat of scatter gun goal kicking hereafter will see them sentenced to sadder post season activities. The Wudinna United reserves out to a three goal lead at quarter time and holding on there after as the ‘dogs came at them. Several players playing Saturday and Sunday at the kennel, perhaps taking its toll late, but an entertaining match for the crowd, Magpies by two goals. The Bombers took out a hard fought match against a brave Roosters in the colts, no quarter given by either side. Elliston in it until very late in the game. Wirrulla will look forward to the Preliminary Final knowing that they are well in this.
Preliminary Finals
Looking to the Preliminary Finals, Wudinna United represent in all three games so may prepare like a normal round. Opponents Central Eyre, Wirrulla , Wirrulla in A, B, Colts.
Centrals head into the match with the season head to head two wins, Wudinna United one. The round three match up at Warramboo saw the ‘dogs pulling away in one of their better performances this season. Centrals also finished the season strongly but injury concerns are now to the fore! The Bulldogs boast one of the very best trainer’s departments on the EP, and they will be working overtime.
Interesting sideline here, Bulldog champion Kane Sampson was playing under 16s at the formation of the new Mid West FL in 1988, and he is still playing 31 years later, lacing his boots for his 491st match of Mid West football (presently A Grade 388, B Grade 26, Colts 76) then add to that 42 interleague, EP etc, what an achievement! (Thats 532 games for anyone not carrying a calculator or flat batteries/no sun/too hard etc!)
Business to do for the 'dogs however, they need a full complement as the Magpies are surging! Jesse Stringer dominates the middle and fed by Ty McKenna, big time players and a big time game here. Jake Sampson is captain courageous, tough and hard he must be given every chance to play. Clint Winter a silky mover and damaging with every possession, finished the year in master touch, Tasman Fitzgerald offers a big target and long accurate kicking, finals designed player. Kane Sampson himself may need to spend time around the mid field again, he is a tower of strength and so often the go to man when something needs fixing. Like the speed and guile of Corey Waters back in the side, he adds class whenever he is near the ball.
The Maggies are lifting. Cody Boylan played a complete game last week, dominating the ruck and wonderful when it hit the ground. Dan Foster a wonderful move to the backlines, where he is able to show others what it means to hit targets, stunning to watch this man in action. Host of productive mids, Matt Greatbatch, Remi North and Izaac Boylan all in great touch, Key forward and back positions are well covered with Ian Jericho and Jonty Seal, Mark North and Henry Zwar productive forward targets, suddenly the Maggies are looking very formidable.
Centrals have proven over the distance that they are masters at this time of year and would normally start this as warm favourites, they seem to hold a mental edge over their neighbour! Concern exists with those players who headed to the sidelines during the second semi final for other than a normal rotation rest, can they come up with no extra week’s break this year? Magpies have had the six day break but seemed far less bruised and battered? This may well be close until the end, maybe Wudinna United to prevail after a hard fought contest.
In the reserves Wirrulla have also commanded respect over the past decade, regular grand finalists and indeed premiers, no pesky A Grade coaches stealing players, and a great mix of age and youth. Craig Johnson will be a key forward, who can hold him? A Graders Taylor Schmucker, Julian Dckson, Barney Watkinson, Callan Roe likely starters. Wudinna United have finished the year well, Mont medal winner David Moyse a big thorn for the Bombers to address, Euge Wauchope a go to target forward along with Greg Barns and Darryl Marshall.
Bombers will start slight favourites, but must be leading early as the young Magpies will likely finish strongly.
The Magpies and Bombers will go at it in the colts also, both strong clams on this one. Key Magpies include, Phoenix and Ezra Foster, Brad Lymn, Jack Petty, Cainton Standley-Grace. Bailey Joseph and Jesse Foster enjoying great years. There is height at the Magpie nest and these fellows are exciting to watch in full flight. The young Bombers will be very pleased with their endeavour last week, good effort for a whole team willing to contribute. Will Mac Best get home after completion of college commitments? Darci Best winning plenty around the middle, productive marking talls Tait Johnson, Jesse Pittaway, Locky Bezzene, and with Zac Watson cleaning up from the back, the Bombers look great. Fraser Gum is a younger player with a huge future.
Hard to pick this one, the Magpies probably slight favourites.
Grand Final appearances on the line at Elliston, so the footy will be desperate and tough!
Last Modified on 29/08/2019 19:02