Finals footy has arrived in Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1, kicking off with two enormous fixtures this weekend at Preston City Oval.
Qualifying Final: Bundoora vs Montmorency
Bundoora
Ladder: 2nd (13-4; 133.86%)
Leading goalkicker: John Jorgensen (45 goals)
Most times in best: Luke Collins (11), Sam Lloyd (9), Brent Marshall (6)
Montmorency
Ladder: 3rd (12-5; 146.16%)
Leading goalkicker: Patrick Fitzgerald (67 goals)
Most times in best: Liam Wale-Buxton (13), Mitch Honeychurch (11), Sam Binion (10)
Two of the most prominent chasers to minor premiers Heidelberg this year are set to clash in what could be a highly entertaining qualifying final.
Bundoora jumped into the second spot in the final round of the season and although the change did not matter much ahead of their match on Saturday, it’s a small reward for their incredible form in recent weeks.
The Bulls have won their last four matches, including impressive victories over Greensborough and Montmorency, and are set to make a big impact in this year’s finals series.
Although he will be unavailable due to suspension on Saturday, co-captain Luke Collins’ season has been brilliant. His prolific ball winning ability as well as his clearance work continues to stand out for Michael Ryan’s side.
Giving him some help in the last month has been Sam Lloyd who’s influence in the middle has led to multiple inside 50 entries for the Bulls. He’ll have another big role to play this week without Collins beside him.
The Bulls have three players inside the top 11 of the competition’s goalkicking leader board. John Jorgensen has been in career best form, kicking 45 majors, which included six against the Magpies in Round 15, while big tallies from Kyle Green (34 goals) and Danny Younan (29 goals) prove they can be threats to this Montmorency backline.
Following a sixth placed finish last season, the Magpies have had a much-improved 2022 campaign and at one point, looked destined to finish the year in top spot.
But a shaky last couple of weeks will make Garry Ramsay’s a little weary this weekend as the Magpies look to reassert their authority on the rest of the competition.
A catalyst towards Montmorency’s rise this year has been the recruitment of Liam Wale-Buxton. The ruck has been outstanding all season long, quickly becoming a dominant force both in the middle and inside 50.
But in what will be a massive blow for the Magpies premiership chances, Wale-Buxton is likely to miss the remainder of the season through suspension, leaving a big hole to be filled for the rest of the side.
Montmorency are far from a one-person team however with Sam Binion and Mitch Honeychurch’s midfield presence being a vital avenue to goal for the Magpies.
One man who has been the beneficiary of the impressive duo’s work has been Patrick Fitzgerald. The veteran has kicked 67 goals and hasn’t been kept goalless this year on the way to winning his second leading goalkicking award.
The Magpies have lost five games this year and the Bulls have been the cause of two of them, having won both their high scoring encounters this season by nine and 22 points respectively.
A high-octane and intense encounter between both teams could be again on the cards on what’s expected to be fine conditions at Preston City Oval on Saturday.
Elimination Final: West Preston-Lakeside vs Greensborough
West Preston-Lakeside
Ladder: 4th (9-7-1; 95.07%)
Leading goalkicker: Ahmed Saad and Aidan Tilley (31 goals)
Most times in best: Adam Valeri (9), Alex Federico (9), Max Dreher (9)
Greensborough
Ladder: 5th (8-8-1; 115.93%)
Leading goalkicker: Zak McCubbin (32 goals)
Most times in best: Jack Johnston (9), Nick Riddle (8), Tom Bell (8)
The growing rivalry between the Roosters and the Boro is set to add another chapter to its book as both sides look to keep their 2022 finals run alive.
It’s a familiar tale for the Roosters who, after finishing 2021 as minor premiers, will have to take the long route if they’re to claim a third consecutive premiership.
This season has seen others step up to the mantle in the absence of some of their star players, none more so than Ahmed Saad who suffered a season ending injury midway through the 2022 campaign.
In his place, Aidan Tilley has done more than a fine job to keep the goals coming for the Roosters, kicking 31 majors and playing all 18 games this season.
Usual suspects such as Alex Federico, Max Dreher and Adam Valeri have continued to produce some impressive performances throughout the year.
The biggest bolter for West Preston-Lakeside would be ruck Matthew Harman, with the 24-year-old quickly establishing himself as one of the most in form big men in the competition.
With a new coach in Saade Ghazi taking the reins this year, the Boro have had an up and down season but ultimately did enough to secure yet another finish in the top five.
Their defence has again been the main attraction for the 2019 minor premiers, with Jack Johnston and Nick Riddle leading the way.
Ex-Frank Rosbrook Medallist Tom Bell has taken his game to another level up forward with 28 goals, whilst Zak McCubbin has also provided crucial majors for the Boro this season.
The emergence of the younger players in the side have also been at the forefront of some of the Boro’s triumphs this season, with Jordan Smith and Angus Seivers both standing out as star senior players of the future.
In their three meetings since the 2019 grand final, both sides have claimed a victory alongside a heart stopping draw earlier this year, proving no love has been lost between these two rivals.
Almost exactly three years ago, this was the match-up to determine the premiers in the topflight but as it stands, one of these two sides will have their 2022 campaign cut short on Sunday.
