North Mackay vs. Eastern Swans
11:00am
Harrup Park, Mackay
Saturday 12th September
SUMMARY
This is the game, as we all know that will decide who the Premiership Under 17 side of season 2015 will be, a match that no one should miss. North Mackay blew the Swans of the field in the Qualifying Final but the young men in red and white were able to bounce back in impressive fashion defeating the Sea Eagles by 79 points in the Preliminary Final last weekend and will be primed for the Grand Final.
LAST MEETING
The last time these two sides met was in the Qualifying Final in week 1 of the Finals Series where North Mackay marched to victory on the back of an impressive 7 goal to 2 second half.
Tyler Morris was instrumental for the Saints, by far the best player on the ground and setting the match up with his blistering speed off half-back and quality delivery in fast to his forwards. Ryan Virgo (Saints) and Harrison Arnold (Swans) were the two most influential forwards on the ground, kicking three goals respectively for their sides
Final Score: North Mackay 11.5 (71) def. Eastern Swans 5.9 (39)
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
2015, Rd 18 - Eastern Swans 12.7 (79) def. North Mackay 8.6 (54) @ Rogers Oval
2015, Rd 15 - Eastern Swans 9.5 (59) def. North Mackay 7.12 (54) @ Zeolla Park
2015, Rd 9 - Eastern Swans 12.10 (82) def. North Mackay 8.11 (59) @ Rogers Oval
2015, Rd 4 - North Mackay 13.9 (87) def. Eastern Swans 11.6 (72) @ Zeolla Park
2015, Rd 2 - Eastern Swans 18.6 (114) def. North Mackay 2.7 (19) @ Zeolla Park
2014, GF - Eastern Swans 10.12 (72) def. North Mackay 8.6 (54) @ Harrup Park
2014, QF - Eastern Swans 12.8 (80) def. North Mackay 7.5 (47) @ Harrup Park
2014, Rd 17 - Eastern Swans 9.14 (68) def. North Mackay 10.6 (66) @ Harrup Park
2014, Rd 14 - North Mackay 13.9 (87) def. Eastern Swans 12.8 (80) @ Rogers Oval
2014, Rd 12 - Eastern Swans 14.5 (89) def. North Mackay 8.5 (53) @ Etwell Park
2014, Rd 7 - Eastern Swans 13.10 (88) def. North Mackay 5.8 (38) @ Zeolla Park
2014, Rd 5 - Eastern Swans 18.6 (114) def. North Mackay 6.5 (41) @ Zeolla Park
Over the last two seasons, finals included when these two teams go head to head the Swans have won 10 times and the Saints have won 3 times.
The most interesting result was last years Grand Final and no doubt quite a few of the Saints players involved in this years Grand-Final played in last years. Though if trends are true to the Under 17 premiers, over the last few seasons the Qualifying Final winner has gone on to win the premiership.
However, the previous head to head is heavily in the Swans favour, with the young men in red and white knowing they can get the job done but last years Grand-Finalists also know they can play the Eastern Swans of the paddock with their chip it around style of play.
KEY MATCH UPS
Braden DeAngelis V Angus Johnston
Two very good users of the footy and set up their sides attacking raids. DeAngelis (Swans) will be beaming with confidence after taking out the Trevor McCann Medal at the Under 17 vote count and this will give the Swans an extra boost as well. Johnston has only played 6 games for the Saints Under 17's in the Isuzu UTE Cup this year, with the young Saint plying his trade in the seniors for much of the year. We would expect these two to go head to head in the midfielder with Johnston playing a more defensive, rebounding role and DeAngelis using his agility and pace as a weapon going inside forward fifty for the Swans.
Harrison Arnold/Lachlan Clarke V Riley Allen/Ryan Virgo
Whichever sides tall/small combination can gell together and impact the scoreboard early will give their side the upper hand. The Swans combination of Arnold and Clarke has returned 52 goals this season, with Allen and Virgo returning 36 goals. If these combinations can stay out of each others way and work together, this match up will heavily decide who the premiership side will be.
Riley Dreghorn V Liam Byrne
As all games are, they are won if you are able to get your hands on the football first. That is where the rucks will come into play and the advantage Dreghorn (Swans) or Byrne (Saints) can give their midfielders. However, the centre circle ruck taps should be fifty-fifty, it will be the around the ground stoppages and which ruckmen can push forward and impact the scoreboard. Work-rate will be the key, who ever can get on their bike the quickest will be pivotal.
Last Modified on 14/09/2015 12:15