Saturday 14 September at GIRGARRE
TIME
|
AGE GROUP
|
MATCH
|
10 : 15
|
Under 18
|
Nagambie v Violet Town
|
12 : 05
|
Reserves
|
Murchison v Avenel
|
14 : 05
|
Seniors
|
Merrigum v Stanhope
|
With Murchison storming their way into the Grand Final last week Merrigum and Stanhope are left to slug it out in this week’s Preliminary Final. Sam Saracino sets the scene.
Merrigum need to regroup to front up against one sided domination on Saturday and a last quarter goal fest on Sunday partnered the near-record crowds and Spring sunshine of the first week of the 2013 Netafim Finals Series. Sam Saracino takes a look at this week’s Semi Final action.
Preliminary Final Saturday 14 September – Merrigum v Stanhope at Girgarre. 2.05pm start
Merrigum need to quickly regroup after their semi final hiding last week to face up to a rampaging Stanhope in the battle to challenge the impressive Grasshoppers in the Grand Final.
Stanhope has been in amazing form during the finals with comprehensive wins against Lancaster (Elimination Final) and Nagambie (First Semi-Final). On the other hand, Merrigum has played in the one final for a 72 point hiding to the team it finished level on points with for the minor premiership. Only percentage separated Merrigum and Stanhope for second and third position at the end of the home and away season.
The only meeting between the teams this year resulted in the Bulldogs’ first loss of 2013 at Stanhope. The inclusion of Matt Johnson, Thomas Hams and Steve Stroobants in the latter part of the season has made Stanhope a significantly better team. Brendan Dillon, Adam Auld, Craig Emmett and Thomas Hepburn were other players to play really well in the win against the Lakers. Another strong point of the Troy Auld coached team is the ability for several players in the team to play in a variety of positions. This makes the team a little more unpredictable and harder to match up on.
Merrigum has had a wonderful year coming from not winning a game in 2011 to winning nine games in 2012. The club has worked really hard to get its house in order off the field and I have no doubt this has transpired to the team’s improving results on the field.
Coach Christian Barnett has done an outstanding job of leading the team. Joseph Nabalarua, Anthony Mann (four goals), Shane Sali, Anthony Cooper, Graeme Giles and McNamara Medallist Joshua Pell all tried valiantly to lift the team after a poor start to the game against Murchison. The game was over as a contest by quarter time with the premiership favourite bursting out of the blocks with 11 to 4 goals in the first quarter. The Doggies need a big game from Josh Stammers (if he shakes of a hamstring complaint) and proven Goulburn Valley Football League player Ramadan Yze. In addition they can’t afford any passengers like last week or season 2013 will be over for the Bulldogs.
For mine the experience and evenness of Stanhope will be enough for them to book a spot in the 2013 decider at Tatura Park on Saturday week.
Last Modified on 16/12/2014 10:17