The track will be ideal, the weather clear but not too hot, with the excitement bubbling and young men ready to strut their stuff on the big stage – all is in readiness for a fantastic culminating day to the 2011 AFL Sunshine Coast Juniors season – Grand Final day.
So we have the two teams of the under 16’s second semi final back on the main stage for Grand Final in Noosa Tigers v Caloundra Panthers. But a big question remains from the semi final was that game an aberration for the Panthers or are the Tigers the real deal? Predictions were abound in the lead up to that semi final that extra time and possibly then down to “Golden Point” would be required to split these two teams, but that wasn’t to be as the Tigers had a most comfortable win 14.11.95 to 7.9.51.
Does a week’s rest favour the Tigers or for Caloundra is best out having a hard game last Sunday likely to stand them in better shape? Last week against a most competent team of Demons the Panthers picked up a 21 point win 13.8.86 to 9.11.65 to again discover their mojo.
Why a draw predicted for the Tigers V Panthers semi final – well the two prior games were both that 6.9.45 – round 10 and 8.14.62 – round 15 was the action in those games. Another draw? Well I suppose lightening doesn’t strike three times in the one place!
Tuesday night’s League Best & Fairest recognised Caloundra Panthers player Elliot Escott-Kenny as the standout player in this competition and the Panthers will again need a big game from E-K. Help will come from far and wide this time out for the Panthers as they have plenty of players who can and will rise to the occasion in #26 Lochlan McBride, #21 Daniel Henderson, #29 Jamen Warren, #37 Ben Francis, #14 Jayde Stower and to be truthful the list goes very deep.
Likewise with the Tigers their depth is also extraordinarily deep in talent that is capable of having a huge impact on this game. Big ruckman Jake Strong was recognised as his club’s highest B&F vote getter with 16 votes, so his leadership on Sunday is paramount for the Tigers. Others who will give great support are #17 Monty Reeves (11 B&F votes), #7 Jed Brain (7 votes), #6 Nelson Daugalis, #3 Nat Turner, #1 CJ, #2 Jai Fitzpatrick, #12 Zac Threadgold and the list goes on.
For goal kicking needs neither teams list is huge with players who continually kick bags full of goals, this may be a reflection that on more occasions than not games played at this level of footy are more defensive or a lot harder around the pill, not allowing an individual forward to shine as easily.
Panthers Jakob Richardson loves kicking goals and with 40 this season he is the highest goal kicker to take the field in this game. A bag of four he kicked against the Tigers in round 15 shows he is capable of getting amongst them. Elliot E-K is the other Caloundra player of note kicking goals with 25 this season. Hard on baller/forward Rhys Buchholz has 22 goals, Lachlan Broadstock 16, Luke Harris 15, Daniel Henderson 14 and Josh Peters 13. Others in Tom Hedley and Bradley Dale love to get amongst the two flags when opportunity presents and with ten each for the season they certainly show that the Panthers have many avenues to goal.
At the other end for the Tigers Robbie Rusan is the one to sneak in and out for a goal he has 39 as his season tally to date. But they are not as prominent with mega goal kickers, next is CJ Rutherford 15, James Bain 14, Jimmy Gotts 14, with then Reeves, Mark Braithwaite and Luke Fulton getting the occasional one.
The two draws of rounds 10 and 15 clearly indicate with 6 and 8 goals as totals kicked that both these teams can go into lock down mode and defence and stoppages with tight manning up is how their games are played.
In the second semi final we had a five point ball game to the Tigers at the main break and it was only the second half that we have seen in three games of footy between the two teams that we had one side able to play free flowing footy and make the score board tick – that day it was the Noosa Tigers with 9 goals to 3 in the second half. Jimmy Gotts got five that day and over a full season that is as high tally as any individual from these two teams has managed. Robbie Rusan also of the Tigers v Nambour & Hinterland in round 16 also snared a bag of five.
So what do we expect a quality track, fast footy, most competitive around the loose ball and stoppages, two teams highly committed to the process and a couple of coaches that will look to play their ace from up their sleeve – what that may be will be the intrigue and potential game breaker.
This game is set for 1.30pm and is the final game in season 2011 and I have no doubt will be a most fitting finale. Surely it couldn’t produce a third season draw between these two teams?
Last Modified on 15/09/2011 12:29