Whitsunday vs. North Mackay
8:10am
Harrup Park, Mackay
Saturday 12th Septmeber
They have done the hard yards, the Saints that is. North Mackay finished the regular season in third position and have been playing their season on the edge.
The Saints were too classy for the Hawks in the Elimination Final and in last weeks Preliminary Final, North Mackay continued their September march with somewhat of an easy win over the Sarina Demons. An impressive statistic from the first two weeks of finals for the Saints, they kept their opposition to a slender 2 goals each time.
It has been the Saints attacking flair that has been talked about throughout the season but it will be their defensive unit that will be tested most in the Premiership decider.
Whitsunday are starting heavy favourites and rightly so, the 2015 Mackay Isuzu UTE Trophy minor premiers are on a winning streak that dates back to Round 3, when they lost to their Grand-Final opponent at home. However, from here the Sea Eagles have soared to 13 straight victories and looking to make their 14th straight the one to remember.
Season 2015 has been a season to remember for the young Sea Eagles boasting both the competition best and fairest player and leading goal scorer in Ethan Boyle and Jayden Clark respectively.
Credit where credit is due, the Whitsunday Sea Eagles have travelled just over 2,100km to play the home and away season plus the Qualifying Final, they will do the trip one last time taking their total season travel near two and half thousand and they not complained once about the travel.
So, will the travelling Sea Eagles complete a near perfect season or will the Saints spoil their road-trip?
THE KEY POINTS
1) Ethan Boyle #21 for the Sea Eagles won the Under 13 Best and Fairest Medal for the competition on Sunday and he was relatively unknown to opposition teams. However, they now know who he is and will be a-part of their plans. Boyle is a smart, agile inside midfielder who is very quick over his first 5-10metres. Tough to match up against the well-balance Sea Eagles midfielder and State Representative Brody Morris may just ge the job and if it happens it will be a Dangerfield versus Fyfe type match up.
2) Goals in finals are like gold, you do have to kick them to win games. That's why each sides key forward will be key going into this match. Under 13 Leading goal kicker Jayden Clark (Sea Eagles) and North Mackay's Jonte Upton. Both players won't go head to head on the paddock but their influence will be key, who ever can have the greater impact will give their side the advantage.
3) Depth will be the key, star players like Brooke Laffan, Brody Morris, Jonte Upton for the Saints and Callum McMurdo, Ethan Boyle and Jayden Clark for Whitsunday have been the talk all season. However, a hand full of players from each side do not win Grand-Finals. Every player that pulls on their clubs respective jersey is important and will play an important role.
4) Adapting to the greasey conditions. With the early Grand-Final, comes the early morning greasey conditions in Mackay. In the Preliminary Final the football was like trying a bar of soap and whichever side can slow the intensity down and hit targets will win this game.
PREVIOUS RESULTS
Rd 16 - Whitsunday 10.5 (65) def. North Mackay 5.2 (32) @ Airlie Beach
Rd 13 - Whitsunday 5.4 (34) def. North Mackay 5.2 (32) @ Airlie Beach
Rd 10 - Whitsunday 2.4 (16) def. North Mackay 0.2 (2) @ Zeolla Park
Rd 3 - North Mackay 5.7 (37) def. Whitsundays 4.1 (25) @ Airlie Beach
Whitsunday have a 3-1 record against the Saints this season, with the Saints struggling to kick more than 5 goals in each of their games. The last start victory over the Saints in Round 16 will give Whitsunday the mental edge in this clash. Though the Sea Eagles have won all head to heads bar one, by the slimmest of margins, points everything to a tight tussle.
THE 'X' FACTORS
Whitsunday Sea Eagles - Max Steele #15: He is one of the most influential players on the paddock for the Sea Eagles, sitting second on the club goal-kicking list and one of the most consistent players all season. Steele has played 12 of a possible 14 matches this season and is quite versatile and can play in numerous roles, usually a link half-forward. Keep an eye on this Sea Eagle.
North Mackay Saints - Lily Tarlinton #12:This young Saint is relatively unknown to the competition, coming back from a serious long term injury. However, Tarlinton is one of the most skilful and agile players across the Mackay Isuzu UTE junior competitions. One of the up and coming female stars of Australian Football, Lily has an uncanny ability of kicking goals and can play the role of small forward or outside midfielder with ease. Keep an eye out for this Saint.
THE FINAL SAY
Picking a winner on Grand-Final day is a tough task, both sides boast numerous stars and each team deserves to be in this years Grand-Final.
On paper, the Saints literally have more depth, with 9 more players to select from but getting the right balance of smalls, mids, talls etc will be the headache for North Mackay. The Sea Eagles boast two of the competitions best players but the travelling for the young side will be something the team would be wary of.
However, it is a Grand-Final and both coaches must talk about the opportunity at hand and make sure they make the number one focus, FUN.
The side that enjoys the big day the most, will in the end take home the premiership cup.
Photo by Hayley Kennedy
Last Modified on 14/09/2015 12:15