BITS VS GLENMORE
Mission impossible, that is what Glenmore are facing in the 2nd Semi this weekend as they take on the undefeated BITS side that have brushed away everything the opposition has thrown at them this year.
Glenmore will give themselves every chance of causing a major upset having got within 5 goals the last 2 times they have played the Saints, but the worrying thing for Glenmore is that historically BITS save their best football until finals. They have a knack of having everybody fit and raring to go when it comes time to finals and I wouldn't expect anything to be different this year. The Saints also have the extra motivation of losing the last 2 grand finals, Glenmore are equally motivated after taking home the wooden spoon last year.
Don't get me wrong Glenmore haven't got themselves to second on the ladder this year without being a good football team, and when the 1st siren goes on Saturday they have the same chance of winning the game as BITS do. The key for Glenmore as it has been all year is their midfield, they have youth, speed and clean hands that will worry the Saints midfield, and if they can starve the BITS midfield of the football then they will be a real chance.
If BITS are able to win their fair share of the football and get it forward, then they have goal kicking fire power that has the ability to run riot and kick a big score. Glenmore need to keep the contest tight, they cannot afford to get themselves in to a shootout as attacking and defensive wise the bigger bodied BITS players hold the edge.
The game presents intriguing match ups all over the ground, who will have the daunting task of manning John 'The Animal' Beriouti. The Animal won the game off his own boot last time they played, at the same time kicking is 100th goal for the season. Who from the Saints will take joint Bernie Gottke medallist Tyson Payne who has loads of speed, endurance and courage. Other players the opposition team will have to pay close attention to include Darcy Payne, Cam Imrie, Adam Dickenson, Daniel Hunt.
Hoping that the game will be a tight contest, but it would not surprise me if the Saints come out in the 1st quarter and put the game beyond reach for the Glenmore, I hope I am wrong and instead the contest is tight and it goes down to the wire, only time will tell.
While winning will require effort from all 22 players, I have singled out a player from each team that I believe holds the key to their team and could be very influential in defining Saturday's result.
BITS - Adam Dickenson
Glenmore - Darcy Payne
Prediction: BITS by 47 points
Previous Results
Round 4 - BITS 21-16 (142) defeated Glenmore 13-4 (82)
Round 8 - BITS 16-9 (105) defeated Glenmore 12-12 (84)
Round 13 - BITS 15-5 (95) defeated Glenmore 10-10 (70)
KICKING GOALS WITH RAZ!!!