VWFL fans get another taste of finals footy this weekend, as Kew and Pascoe Vale do battle in the Division One Semi Final. James Szabo previews the clash.
The dominant Kew side go into the battle as outright favourites, after a perfect year of 15 wins from as many games.
The Bears finished on top of the ladder with a whopping 56 points, which was 20 more than their upcoming opponents this Sunday.
Kew had a number of percentage boosting wins this season, including a 103-point victory over Diamond Creek and a 17 goal win over Redan. They also didn’t allow an opponent to score more than three goals against them in any game this year.
Clare O’Donnell, Gabrielle Mahoney and Michaela Harding were the most consistent performers for the Bears this season, all playing well throughout most games of the year.
Mahoney also topped the goal kicking tally with 37, while Shaylee Taylor (33) and Ashlee Kate Bruce (22) were all key contributors to the scoreboard throughout the season.
Opponents Pascoe Vale will go into this finals series with a good level of confidence after finishing second on the ladder, however they face a tough task after being defeated by Kew in last week’s final game of the home and away season.
The Panthers lost five games for the season, including a 56-point loss at the hands of Kew last round.
Pascoe recorded some memorable victories throughout the season to earn their spot in the double-chance Semi Final, and were led by their stars of Rachel Gastin, Bridgette Aparo, Jessica George and Aleisha Casley – who also won the club goal kicking award with 21.
The side will need those stars to lift if they are to have a chance at knocking off the unbeaten Bears.
While the winner of the Semi Final earns an automatic spot in the Grand Final, the loser will be forced to play a cut-throat Preliminary Final against the winner of this week’s Elimination Final between Darebin and Whitehorse.
This clash looks to be a much tighter contest, which both teams finishing the season on equal points and a record of eight wins and six losses.
Darebin will go into the do-or-die game as slight favourites after beating Whitehorse twice throughout the year.
The Falcons won the first game back in round eight by just 11 points, before extending the winning margin against Whitehorse four rounds later by six goals.
Darebin were helped by the consistent performances from Tamara Olcorn, Shannon Egan and Julia Chiera, who all played a big part in the Falcons success.
The team were also blessed with a good spread of goal kickers over the home and away season, although Emily Whitfield booted the most with 13.
Whitehorse go into the game in great form, after winning five of their last six games. The side also impressed many fans by beating second placed Pascoe Vale twice throughout the home and away season, giving them confidence coming in to the finals series.
The Colts had a number of players step up at different stages throughout the season, which has been one of the side’s great strengths this year.
Some of these included Grace Dillon, Rosie Dillon, Adriana Piva, Ebony Nixon and Phoebe Dammersmith, who were the most consistent performers.
Rosie Dillon and Ebony Nixon also tied for the most goals this season with 13 each.
The game is set to be a tight, enthralling contest, with no side keen to end their season early.
The Elimination Final between Darebin and Whitehorse starts from 1pm this Sunday, September 4 at Coburg City Oval.
The Semi Final between Kew and Pascoe Vale starts from 3pm this Sunday, September 4 at Coburg City Oval.
Photo: Russ Canham
Last Modified on 01/09/2016 01:11