Mackay.AFLQ.com.au preview the Under 15 Mackay Isuzu UTE Shield Preliminary Final between the Mackay City Hawks and the Whitsunday Sea Eagles.
The winner of this epic encounter will face the North Mackay Saints in the 2015 Grand Final.
If form lines were anything to go by then the Mackay City Hawks go into this match as the heavy favourites and will be looking to key player Adam Fedor to lead the charge.
Fedor has had a fantastic season and has been the standout Hawk all season.
Unfortunately the Hawks lost Isaac Lange and Jacob Lambert to season ending injuries and we wish them all the best in their respective recoveries.
However, Fedor hasn't been a lone warrior all season as Hawks Wayne Rogers, Jayden Stanley and Jay Churchward are also key contributors. Stanley and Rogers are the Hawks two most damaging forwards and have kicked 20 and 28 goals for the season respectively.
Stanley on the other hand has played a more defensive midfield, running role and sets up a lot of the Hawks attacking raids.
Though the Hawks won't have it all their own way with Sea Eagle Joshua Norris one of the most influential players in the competition and has been well supported by fellow Sea Eagles Mitchell Healey, Jake Kennedy and Jhoem Paulson.
Whitsundays, however don't boast one key forward with numerous avenues when going for goal. This will be something the Hawks must be mindful of with accountability a key message that must be delivered pre-game.
HEAD to HEAD Results in 2015
Rd 15 - Mackay City 6.12 (48) def. Whitsundays 5.3 (33)
Rd 9 - Mackay City 9.7 (61) def. Whitsundays 8.2 (50)
Rd 6 - Whitsundays 6.1 (37) def. Mackay City 4.11 (35)
The head to head count is in Mackay City's favour, winning the last two times when each other faced one another. Without reading into the encounters too much, it would seem the key to slowing the Hawks down is high pressure which is evident in the Round 6 and 15 matches, with the goal to behind ratio.
KEY TO WINNING
It is a final, so the pressure going to be up and it isn't just another game or another final, it is the Preliminary Final between two proud clubs. It will be a high paced, intense on field clash but the game may well be won off field in the coaching box and go in the favour of whichever coaching box can stay the calmest throughout the four quarters.
Match Details
Mackay City Hawks vs. Whitsunday Sea Eagles
9:30am first bounce
Harrup Park
Saturday 5th September
Last Modified on 07/09/2015 12:14