Mackay.AFLQ.com.au preview the Under 17 Mackay Isuzu UTE Cup Friday night Qualifying Final between the North Mackay Saints and Eastern Swans.
#FootyInParadise
Minor Premiers the Eastern Swans will take on cross town rivals the North Mackay Saints in the Friday night Qualifying Final, with the winner to progress to the Grand-final.
The Swans hold the upper hand when it comes to head to head, winning four of their previous five encounters against each other this season. Their most recent match, the Swans ran out 25-point victors at Rogers Oval where Harrison Arnold led from the front booting 5-majors in a dominate display.
However, finals is a different beast and both of these sides full of young men are playing on footballs second biggest stage (biggest Grand-final day) Friday night footy, with all looking on.
Both sides boast numerous stars but finals takes a full team contribution along with calm, disciplined footy.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Swans: Lachlan Bulmer, Harrison Arnold, Matthew Stewart, Bo Saunders & Braden DeAngelis
Saints: Fraser Steele, Ryan Villalba, Angus Johnston, Mitch Sutton & Bailey Manuel-Isaacs
North Mackay midfielder Ryan Villalba was a stand alone warrior in the Round 18 match up at Rogers Oval, with the hard running rover trying his best to lift his side to victory with an inspired fourth quarter. Villalba will key to a Saints victor and Swans midfield will need to watch him closely.
Swans Coach Ian Bulmer has his side playing an attacking style of football, with a play on at all costs in the last few rounds of the season.
The likes of DeAngelis, Bulmer and co love to move the footy quickly but finals footy won't be that easy and the likes of Jayde Mellross, Felix Hadok-Quadrio will need to assist the previous mentioned quintet.
For the Saints, Manuel-Isaacs, Johnston, Steele will all need to continue their good 2015 seasons and will be looking for further support from the likes of Sam Filewood, Liam Byrne, Riley Park, et cetera.
PREVIOUS THREE MATCHES
Rd18 - Eastern Swans 12.7 (79) def. North Mackay 8.6 (54)
Rd15 - Eastern Swans 9.5 (59) def. North Mackay 7.12 (54)
Rd10 - North Mackay 14.11 (95) def. Eastern Swans 6.9 (45)
In season 2015 when these two sides have gone head to head the Saints have averaged 8.6 goals per game and the Swans have averaged 10.3 goals per game against the North Mackay. Though away from their home ground against the Swans, North Mackay have only averaged 6.25 goals.
With the match at the neutral venue of the Magpies Cricket Ground, the Saints will home to overcome their home sickness early if they are to beat the Eastern Swans.
An interesting match, definitely worth heading to Glenella to watch the next generation of senior stars go head to head for a place in the 2015 AFL Mackay Under 17 Mackay Isuzu UTE Cup Grand Final.
Match Details
Eastern Swans Vs. North Mackay Saints
7:00pm first bounce
Magpies Cricket Ground, Glenella
Mackay.AFLQ.com.au Predictor
Using our state of the art Marbig 97640 Electronic Calculator, we have the final score prediction based on results from season 2015.
Eastern Swans 12.9 (81) - North Mackay 8.6 (54)
Please note this a prediction base of results froms eason 2015
Photo by Hayley Kennedy: North Mackay Saints player looks to snap around the corner at goal during their match up against the Sea Eagles earlier in August.
Last Modified on 02/09/2015 14:04