By Ben Carbonaro
Port Melbourne and North Ballarat will be the combatants in what should hopefully be a great spectacle to help celebrate Victorian football’s 150th year.
Prior to the main game, a showcase of some Australia’s best young footballing talent and draft prospects will square off in the TAC Cup Grand Final with the Murray Bushrangers and the Dandenong Stingrays.
Having both games at a venue such as Telstra Dome will provide great opportunities for both of Victoria’s elite football competition to showcase what they have to offer.
Despite the AFL grand final being played the following day, AFL Victoria CEO Peter Schwab is confident that fans will be treated to some high class football.
“We think it’s unique and it’s a great opportunity to bring both games to a great stadium like Telstra Dome,” he said.
“Not everyone gets a ticket to the big game on Saturday so it’s (a) great opportunity to come along to see some fantastic young talent in the TAC Cup and the VFL.”
Both Port Melbourne and North Ballarat have been two of the competition’s dominant sides leading into the finals series, both underpinned by strong home records.
Each side is stacked with talent, eventually spread across the ground with power forward Adrian Bonaddio and Roosters captain defender Shaune Moloney both needing to perform under the immense pressure associated with grand finals.
The two teams have had only one previous meeting back in round 10 at Teac Oval, with the Borough victors by 21 points and midfielder Corey McGrath was best on ground. Last year’s Todd medal winner Sam Dwyer continued to impress at senior level as he kicked four goals.
While Borough coach Gary Ayres would be able to draw confidence from this, it’s a different story in Grand Finals and both teams will be looking to assert their dominance of the game early.
Prior to the big game, some of the greats of Australia’s premier state football competition will honoured with in a motorcade.
Former glamour forward Fred Cook will participate in the motorcade and that he is among the competition’s greats to be given an opportunity to relieve the glory days/
“I was always proud of my career at Port Melbourne and for it to be rejuvenated for this big night it’s fantastic,” Cook said.
Action gets underway at Telstra Dome from 7:40pm and for the first time ever, ABC TV will cover the competition’s first ever night grand final.
Last Modified on 23/01/2009 16:48
