By KEVIN HILLIER - Division 1 Seniors
THE main event is about to begin and the big question is - can anyone seriously challenge the might of the reigning premiers and halt their charge to a fourth consecutive flag.
If I had that answer, and the Powerball numbers for this week, I would be a rich man.
On their day any of the four challengers could cause an upset.
The inconsistency of their performances makes it very difficult to make a case for any of them.
This weekend Spotswood or Altona will bow out after the elimination final, and I won’t be surprised either way.
When Spotswood take the game on and run, they are as good as any, especially when they back it up with hardnosed tackling. The club has unearthed a group of young players with talent, cheek and footy smarts. How they handle the pressure of finals footy will dictate Spotswood’s story.
Altona fall down up forward, and kicking big scores have not been their go this season, until the last few weeks. Coincidentally Mitch Turnbull is back from overseas and his presence has made a very big difference on the scoreboard.
Both encounters this season have been low scoring affairs with 10 goals being enough to win.
Burbank Oval won’t favour one side over the other.
I think it will be a close, tight typical finals game, Spotswood has a bit more X factor with their young brigade, and that gets them over the line for me by about three goals.
In the qualifying final the two coaches, Paul Chapman and Steve Kretiuk, will be wondering the same thing I am. Which version of their team is going to turn up?
If the Districts team that is indecisive and conservative runs out, they are gone. If the team that played in the last quarter against the Warriors two weeks ago is there from the start, they are almost unstoppable.
Hoppers Crossing has gained a reputation of failing in the big occasions, and believe me this is one. If the Warriors don’t handle the pressure and retreat into their shells, another season could slip between their fingers.
They have had a week off to recover physically, and reflect mentally, on what is required.
Are they up to it?
There was some injury factors involved in their last meeting with Werribee. This is a whole new ball game but is it a new Hoppers Crossing?
Deer Park will be hoping for a bruising encounter and I think it will be.
These two might meet again in the preliminary final who knows, who cares. This Saturday is all that matters for the moment, and I am tipping Hoppers Crossing.
Last Modified on 15/08/2016 14:47