THE two best performed teams in Division 3 will contest the Grand Final at Epping Recreation Reserve on Saturday, with Thomastown and Reservoir to square off for the 2014 premiership.
Since May, these two rivals either side of Mahoneys Road appeared to be a class ahead of the rest of the field.
This was eventually confirmed after Reservoir defeated South Morang by 36 points in the preliminary final at Epping on Saturday. The win was set up with a seven-goal to nil opening term – from which the Lions never recovered.
South Morang seemed to have a secure grasp on third spot on the ladder for most of the season, but was unable to bridge the gap between themselves and the top two sides.
And, apart from Ben Mowlam limping off during the game, Reservoir appears to have come through last week’s game unscathed.
The preliminary final win would have been a great relief for Mustang coach Ross Terranova, following their dismal showing a week earlier against Thomastown in the second semi-final at Shelley Reserve.
Given the 12-goal margin in the second semi-final a fortnight ago, the Bears will be firm favourites to win their first flag since 2008. That was a second division flag under current coach Dean Sinclair.
Sinclair hinted that minimal changes will be made to the side that won so convincingly a fortnight earlier.
But Tyson Trinchera made a strong case when best for the Bears reserves in the preliminary final loss. Ben Fitzgerald has also shown excellent recent form, while Chris Higgins and Joe Merlo are experienced senior competitors.
While it may appear to some that Thomastown already has the flag in the bag, a quick glance at last year’s Division 3 finals series might suggest otherwise.
Panton Hill romped home in the second semi-final against Watsonia, but won the Grand Final against the same team by the barest of margins – trailing with just minutes left on the clock.
Of course, Reservoir will need to improve greatly on its last clash with Thomastown – an effort described as “very poor and undisciplined” by the club in last week’s edition of The Northerner.
Brent Lovett went off injured in that game and is a chance to return after missing the preliminary final. Meanwhile, forward Leigh Sullivan was a welcome return last weekend for the Mustangs after missing the previous two matches.
In their recent meeting, the Bears won the contest at both extremities of the ground. Their defence – led by Luke Fellows and Andrew Lozanovski – easily swept the ball out of the danger area.
And they also converted a high percentage of forward 50m entries into scores. It will be a challenge for the Mustangs to blanket Thomastown’s multi-pronged forward line that includes Jacob Osei-Duro, Michael Khoury, Osama Saad and Chris Leo.
The return of Khoury and Leo in the latter part of the season has made the Bears more a more potent scoring outfit.
When Reservoir won their Round 10 clash against Thomastown – still the club’s only loss of the year – it was Khoury’s first game for Bears in 2014 and he was goalless. Leo didn’t play that day – with Jacob Osei-Duro being their main focal point with five goals.
Ash Flavel and David McGregor combined for nine goals on that afternoon in a game which the Mustangs controlled before the Bears made a belated charge.
Given that both teams have dangerous forwards, the midfield battle will be significant. Bear David Folino was outstanding in the previous final – ably assisted by James Mercuri and Daniel Chadwick.
Matthew Cupo adds grunt and Dylan Fuller some outside run to Thomastown’s on ball brigade.
Reservoir will be looking for Daniel Couwenberg, Liam Ryan, Joel Buckley and Danny O’Sullivan to provide precision delivery to their forwards.
The head-to-head record in 2014 favours Thomastown, with the Bears holding a 3-1 advantage.
All three of the minor premiers’ wins have been by big margins. In Round 3 they claimed an 83-point away win, before winning by 50 points in Round 16 and 75 points in the second semi.
The weather looks like being conducive to good football and the contest should be highly entertaining.
RADIO: A live radio broadcast of the Division 3 Grand Final between Thomastown and Reservoir can be heard on 88.6 Plenty Valley FM.
DOWNLOAD: A high-definition digital download of the game can be purchased at 
www.northernfl.tv from Thursday. The price of the digital copy is just $20.
