All is in readiness for a massive Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 grand final as the top two sides in the 2022 competition battle it out for premiership glory.
These two teams will meet again in Saturday’s after they played one of the most incredible matches of the season two weeks ago in the second semi-final. With both sides unable to be separated at full time, it was a Josh Minogue set shot after the extra time siren that sailed through the big sticks to give the Tigers their first grand final appearance since 2016.
The Bulls would only have to wait an extra week to confirm their spot in the big dance, after comfortably taking care of Montmorency in last week’s preliminary final.
Finishing the season as minor premiers and having yet to taste defeat since April, the Tigers are expected to be the favourites in this clash.
Heidelberg possess a mouth-watering midfield with two-time Coaches MVP Matthew Smith, 2021 Frank Rosbrook Medallist Lachlan Wilson and star ruck Sam Gilmore all producing outstanding seasons.
Add on top of that the likes of Tom Schnerring, Brayden Sier and Benjamin Nikolovski and it’s no wonder why Danny Nolan’s men have had such a brilliant campaign so far.
Josh Minogue has led the way up forward for the Tigers this season with 51 goals, but they still have plenty of attacking weapons in their arsenal, with nine players kicking 10+ goals this year, helping them average the most points per game in the regular season (104.3).
What might go against the minor premiers is their lack of playing time in the last couple of months. They had a shortened game in Round 17 due to adverse weather and since then have played just two matches in four weeks.
But based off their season thus far, the Tigers are well placed to take out their first premiership in six years.
Heidelberg prevailed over Macleod on that day with Lachlan Wilson picking up the best on ground medal in just his fourth career match. Sam Gilmore is the only other member of Saturday’s 22 that played in that grand final.
Victory again on Saturday would not only see the Tigers win their 21st premiership, but it would also be their 20th Division 1 flag, the most in league history.
Meanwhile, the Bulls will be quietly confident they can take it up to the Tigers having pushed them right to the edge in that second semi-final.
Bundoora have gotten things right in the backend of the year, winning six of their last seven matches which included a comprehensive victory over Montmorency in last week’s preliminary final.
They’ve been driven by some impressive talent throughout the 2022 campaign, with Sam Lloyd leading the way, producing some incredible form of late to be named in the best in all six wins.
The inclusion of Neville Jetta throughout the finals series has been massive in the back half while Hamish Shepheard has been superb in the ruck.
John Jorgensen and Daniel Younan have been a difficult pair to beat up forward, the duo have kicked 85 goals between them this season and will hope to reproduce their excellent form on the big stage.
Despite their impressive form and some close contests, Bundoora are yet to defeat Heidelberg in three attempts this year and are the only team they are yet to claim a win over in 2022.
The Bulls have had to wait five years for their chance at another premiership, with the 2017 Grand Final their last appearance, where they defeated Macleod by three points.
Bundoora have won the previous three grand finals that they’ve appeared in and if they were to defeat the minor premiers on Saturday, it would be their fourth Division 1 premiership in just 11 years, completing a remarkable turnaround for a Bulls team that finished second to bottom in 2019.
Regardless of the outcome, we’re set for a huge battle between the best two sides in the NFNL in what has the potential to be one of the more memorable grand finals in league history.
