Greetings Footy Heads and welcome to the business end of the season!
A lot of ups and downs this year across all divisions. Probably the biggest surprise packet has been the player numbers, or lack of them at times! While not everyone struggled, some formerly dominant teams struggled to get the bodies on the park . We saw plenty of matching as is the honourable thing to do, not to mention a few too many forfeits!
Now that we’re in the business season I don’t think anyone will be wanting to risk turning up short and all bets are off with regards to matching. If your club has made it this far, you’re a big chance to go all the way and I think everyone in Division 1 especially will be thinking just that.
Here are my predictions for the first week of the #AFLOFinals
Division 1
Hawks v Roos
Premiership favorites at the beginning of the season, the Hawks found themselves in a bit of a hole in the middle of the season with only 1 of the Big 3 available. He may kick some massive goals but he also needs supply. In August Dullard and Killa returned and they went back to their winning ways, despite an ugly loss at Guelph, they even clipped the wings of the Swans in Ottawa in the final round, locking themselves into the number 3 spot along with it..
The Roos started the year with a big after a 2013 to forget. Bolstered by the arrival of the likes of Cuzner, Lake and Kenna to join forces with JR, Hazzy and Emile they were sitting on 4 or 5 games without a loss but it all went down hill from there. Sneaking a win over the Hawks on a Friday night was probably their saving grace in the second half of the season and kept them in the finals race. Lacking for numbers and having lost Lake mid season, a win over the Wildcats in Round 12 got them the much needed 4 points to secure a spot in the September action.
This game is probably the easiest one to pick of the Division 1 games as it is clear the Hawks have a bit more class across their ranks. I am not sure who the Roos will match up on Shutts but he’s bound to give them a handful. Even if you can contain him, then you have Stirling lining up behind him to receive the footy. The Cuzner’s and JR’s can drop back all they like but I predict the Hawks will blow the Roos out of it early and cruise the remainder of the game.
Phantom Prediction – Hawks by 10 goals
Rebels v Swans
A surprise packet early in the season, I don’t think anyone would have imagined the Rebels would finish without a loss in the Home and Away season. But they did it and fairly convincingly. Some new arrivals in Prendergast and Murdoch bolstered the ranks to help the likes of Fabbri, Karavias, King and Winks. Their depth seems to be very good across all lines.
The Swans have also been blessed with some new arrivals in Stafford and Crimmins who’ve given them some much needed depth to their spine while guys like Walsh, Powell, Woods and Shaughnessy have been great contributors. Some may say they’ve had it a bit easy with only 3 games in Toronto. They will argue they travel the most of any side in distance. Fact is if they want to win a Grand Final they will have to win it in Toronto!
Keeping in mind the Rebels played the Wildcats, Roos and Eagles in the final 3 games they are well overdue for a serious test and this week it is coming.
The Swans have Kozlowski, Strom and Shaughnessy returning on a high from North Wind duties, this should be a fast paced game!
Tough to pick a result but credit where credits due, the Rebels are undefeated and I think they will sneak a win out of this one.
Phantom Prediction – Rebels by 3 goals
Blues v Gargoyles
The Blues were quite possibly the talk of the town early in the season and there were big expectations that they would go far this year. While the season is nowhere near over for the Blues, they certainly have been up and down over the course of the season. They definitely play their best footy when the likes of Doc, Willsy and Shorty are in the side and after a few years out of the September action; those guys will be ready to go.
The Gargoyles are known for having strong Canadians and proud of it. They are going to need all over them to stand up and stand tall this week as they probably have some of the lesser known Aussies in the competition. Tyson Dyer has been a welcome arrival but not played often enough. He is going to need to fire this week and take some of the pressure off of Kerm who needs to be within 30m to kick his goals.
Another tough one to call, I think it could go either way. The Blues have beaten the Gargoyles twice this year. First in Guelph in Round 1 and again in Toronto in Round 12 and the most recent wasn’t pretty. I think its going to be a hard hitting and close affair but it will be the Blues will get the over the line. The Gargoyles just don’t have the Aussie class to match the Blues – or anyone fast enough to man up Shorty now I think about it.
Phantom Prediction – Blues 20 points
Division 2
Rebels v Dingos
Tough one to call as the Dingos are out of the Division 1 Finals so will likely have a few that are still able to play Division 2. That said, the Rebels being in the Division 1 Finals can pick and choose between Divisions this week. It all comes down to availability!
I believe during the season these two clubs had one win each when playing each other which makes it even harder to choose.
Phantom Prediction – Dingos because they are Reigning Premiers
Blues v Demons
Equally tough game to predict a result on for similar reasons as the previous game; the Demons have no Division 1 team in the Finals but the Blues do. Who is available and who is not?
I think I will have to flip a coin on this one!
Phantom Prediction – Demons 10 points
Women
Swans v Wildcats
The Wildcats travel to Ottawa to take on the Swans in what will no doubt be a difficult game. They have key players in Danielle Comolli, Jodie Fluit and Candace Kwan returning to the team while the Swans have their stars returning from Australia. The likes of Emma Dickinson, Aimee Legault and Holly Costanza will certainly be welcome returns to their side.
I have heard whispers that the Cats may struggle to get big numbers up the 401 for this one but are still keen to take on the Swans for a shot at a Grand Final berth. Not sure if they can get the job done with the travel requirements though.
Phantom Prediction – Swans by 20 points
Blues v Demons
In previous years, this would have been an easy one. Erin Loughnane and the Demons to win it easy! But Erin is not there anymore, or is she? I can never seem to get a straight answer from my contacts but I do know she hasn’t been featuring in best and goal kickers a lot lately.
The Blues are much improved and strung together 3 wins in a row this year, the first wins in a few years so making the finals at all is a great achievement. Can they take it to a Preliminary Final? Difficult to say but they definitely can do it!
Phantom Prediction – Blues 10 points – the Demons run is over!
AFLO Awards Night Predictions
Division 1 B&F
Some may recall I predicted Matt Dean to win the Division 1 B&F last year throughout the season and in the end, I was right on – I should have given out odds on it. So this year I thought I would put
This year may not be so clear-cut with a lot of new Australian’s coming into the league. No offence Canadians, it isn’t your fault but the new Aussies always stand out to the umpires as they don’t know who they are.
Dullard was away for a lot of the summer so it could be hard for him to win another. Prendergast of the Rebels may have been a chance but missed too many games with injury, same with Dyer of the Gargoyles.
My Top Predictions of players to do well are
Stafford of Swans – kicked a few bags, regular in their best. Stand out for Swans
Shorty of Blues – kicked a few bags, regular in their best
Shutts of Hawks – kicked lots of goals, regular in their best.
Karavias of Rebels – played every game, always gets plenty of football.
Doc of Blues – arguably their best, gets lots of footy and kicks goals.
Honourable mentions to Cuzner and Lake (Roos), McKay (Dingos), McDowall (Wildcats) and Winks (Rebels)
Division 2
While I do not intend to alienate or exclude Division 2 Players and Phantom Fan Club Members, I just feel that this winner is too difficult to pick. I will say it will be a Rebel, Dingo or Blue though? These clubs have the most consistent numbers for Division 2.
Women’s B&F
Considering that the Demons forfeited 2 games and Erin missed a handful, it is very unlikely for her to win the B&F this year. This opens it up to quite a few and one would think the Swans and Wildcats would be leading the charge. Then I remember that the Swans had 3 forfeits during the season which will significantly reduce their best players chances. Still, I think there’s a big chance for a couple of them. Here are my Top Predictions for the Women’s Division.
A. Legault of Swans – Captain of the Northern Lights, dominant player.
Comolli of Wildcats – always featured in their best this year
Dickinson of Swans – former Rookie of the Year and quality midfielder
Fluit of Wildcats – always in their best and kicks a lot of goals
Nicholls of Blues – one of the Blues leaders and always in their best
Honourable mentions go to Ennor and Valaitis (Demons), Bodashefsky (Blues), Costanza (Swans) and DeBrabandere (Roos)
Well Footy Heads, that is it! Round 1 FINALS FOOTY is here and I for one cannot wait! Next week will be only 4 games, then 3 then its over! For those who have made it this far, congratulations but the real stuff is only just starting! Good luck everyone
- The Ghost Who Handballs
Last Modified on 06/09/2014 11:42