NEWTOWN & Chilwell and St Joseph's played out a cut-throat semi-final last year before St Joseph's progressed to the preliminary final.
Much has changed in the past year, the Eagles leapfrogging their arch-rivals to go into tomorrow's qualifying final as overwhelming favourites.
The Eagles stocked up this season, while the Joeys looked destined to miss a top-three berth before they scraped in against North Shore last week.
Twice this year the Eagles have had the Joeys' measure - no result more glaring than in Round 13, when the Joeys were dismantled at home.
If the Eagles are able to control the stoppages through Sandy Robinson, their forward line of Brad Ottens, Jay Bett and livewire David Nye will do the rest.
They have even had the luxury of throwing in Ryan Gamble, a former AFL footballer at half-forward, behind the footy.
The depth of the Eagles has long been pivotal but the inclusion of serious class with two former AFL players plus Jarrod McCorkell and Ryan Normington has made them stronger.
TIP: Newtown & Chilwell by 16 points.
KEY PLAYERS
SANDY ROBINSON
Best on ground last time the two sides met, the ruckman comes up against Peter Street, who was absent that day.
DALE CARSON
Has transformed himself into one of the league's best key defenders and has the height and speed to take on Brad Ottens.
Last Modified on 08/01/2013 07:15
