Both sides have had a week off to prepare for the second semi final which has made for a big build-up after the Doggies inflicted the Blues with their first loss of the season a fortnight ago in their Round 18 clash at Epping Recreation Reserve.
he result has certainly made for a wide-open premiership race with North confirming it is a genuine challenger to the Blues in the fight for promotion back to the top flight.
Epping has no doubt been the dominant side of the home and away competition – winning 17 consecutive games by an average of 44 points leading up to its final round defeat. It hasn’t exactly been an easy draw for the Blues either, having to play each of its fellow finalists three times during the regular season.
Its experienced campaigners have all had superb seasons with Daniel Moore, John Kreuzer and Jarrod Tilley all enjoying extremely successful 2012 campaigns, along with Daniel Santoro who has slotted straight into the senior side.
The return of Luke Lirosi from Coburg has also given the club’s midfield a significant boost and his ability to sneak forward for a goal has been valuable – booting 19 goals for the season which includes multiples on seven occasions.
Down back the side is rock-steady and concedes an average of only 62 points a game – ranked first in the competition. The loss of Brenton Keating will be felt, with Matthew Garland again expected to play a less attacking role this weekend to mark Division 2 leading goal kicker, Shane Harvey.
On the plus side, the Blues are expected to regain Adrian Totino after the star midfielder/forward missed the final two home and away games with a hamstring injury – his presence sorely missed in Round 18 when the Blues could manage just five goals in heavy conditions.
North Heidelberg certainly knows what is expected in September having regularly played at the pointy end of the season when in Division 1 and won’t be daunted by the extra finals intensity.
Leigh Gray has his side playing its best football at the most important stage of the season, with the Doggies heading into the finals series on the back of five consecutive wins by an average margin of 106 points.
It’s not an effort that has gone unnoticed, with Gray named the AFL Victoria Northern Region Coach of the Month for August.
The form of Harvey has certainly played a huge part in North’s top-two finish, while the performance of Dave Florance in Round 18 will have Doggies supporters confident of another win on Saturday and progression straight through to the Grand Final.
The ruckman was instrumental in North’s last up win over the ladder-leader – clearly beating Kreuzer on the day to give his on-ball division first use from the middle. With Jason Dean also a chance to return, the Doggies certainly have a ruck brigade to trouble anyone in September.
This clash certainly has all the attributes of being a finals match to remember.
HEAD TO HEAD IN 2012
Round 18: Epping 5.5 (35) def by North Heidelberg 8.7 (55)
Round 12: Epping 17.13 (115) def North Heidelberg 15.8 (98)
Round 5: North Heidelberg 12.10 (82) def by Epping 14.8 (92)
