It is almost impossible to argue, particularly given the results of last weekend’s preliminary finals, writes David O'Neill
The Peter Jackson VFL premiership will be decided this Sunday by the best two teams in the competition, destined for one hell of a finale.
In an action-packed season, the Casey Scorpions, Port Melbourne, Werribee and Williamstown all loomed as genuine contenders for the flag at different times.
But the Box Hill Hawks and Geelong have stood above them all.
After finishing the regular season in first and second position on the ladder, the Cats and the Hawks lifted their games to new levels in last weekend’s preliminary finals.
The Cats were devastating on Saturday against Williamstown, piling on the pressure to cause countless turnovers and making the Seagulls pay with some of the best transition football of the year.
All the big guns fired in the demolition. Shane Kersten and Josh Walking bagged nine goals between them, while Billy Smedts, George Horlin-Smith and Jordan Murdoch proved why this might be their last finals campaign at VFL level.
But just as the Cats were installed as warm favourites for this week’s grand final at Etihad Stadium, on a surface likely to suit their run-and-carry style of play, the Hawks responded with their own eye-catching performance.
Though the Werrribee Tigers held on for longer than the Seagulls the previous afternoon, they too were banished by some scintillating football from an unstoppable opposition.
Led by Shane Savage (five goals), Mitch O’Donnell and Mitch Hallahan, and cameos from a big-man brigade that includes the versatile Luke Lowden, Sam Grimley and Jonathon Ceglar, the Hawks simply pounded the Tigers into submission.
But despite both sides hitting top form, there wasn’t a hint of arrogance when the respective coaches and captains met for the Grand Final press conference at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
Instead of talking up their own premiership chances yesterday, Geelong’s Matthew Knights and Box Hill Hawks’ Damian Carroll were more inclined to heap praise on each other.
“They’re a quality club, a quality football side and deserve their status as favourites,” Carroll said of Geelong.
“We do take some confidence, although it’s been a long time since we played them, that we have been competitive against them in matches this year.”
“I think we’re in as good as position as we can be in terms of injuries to our list at Box Hill and also Hawthorn, so we’re certainly ready for the challenge.”
Knights was equally complimentary of the Hawks, labeling them an outstanding football team.
“I was lucky enough to get along and have a look at Box Hill on Sunday and even just their first 10 minutes was some pretty intimidating football.
“They blew Werribee away quite convincingly in the end and I thought were running out the game strongly.
“They use the ball beautifully and we expect they’ll have a few players to come into that team this week.”
With Geelong’s AFL side and Box Hill Hawks’ affiliate Hawthorn set to do battle on Friday night, eligibility rules will have almost no impact this weekend, a fact Knights said would add to the spectacle.
“We’re really pleased that the best possible players will run out on Sunday and that’s the way it should be.”
“For the supporters of both clubs to be able to come here and see what will be a great game is really exciting for football.”
Due to Friday night’s match, both teams aren’t expected to settle on their final line up for Sunday’s blockbuster until as late as Saturday morning.
Last Modified on 18/09/2013 12:56