South Morang faces Banyule in the highly anticipated 2017 Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 Grand Final at the Whittlesea Showgrounds.
The Lions and Bears always looked likely to progress, but it was tough work for South Morang to get there, winning a tight preliminary final over fierce rival Epping.
Metaphorically speaking, Banyule has driven down the highway to get to the grand final, while the Lions have hacked their way through the jungle.
South Morang had to fight hard to stave off finals-hardened Epping to win by eight points to qualify for the grand final.
The Blues began the year with some patchy form, but finished the year strongly and will feel disappointed that they narrowly missed a shot at the title. But there were some plusses with many youngsters emerging through the year.
Although South Morang has fallen at the preliminary final hurdle in each of the past three seasons, it won its only Division 3 grand final appearance back in 2011.
Banyule is playing in its first NFL finals series and has progressed to the main event under new coach Pete Davey with some good performances from some star recruits.
Most notable has been goal kicker James Kroussoratis, but Riley Keath, Kieran Malone and Matthew Yarwood have all been major contributors as well. And Scott Gumbleton returned this year to be a star.
The team seems to have settled in recent weeks after a few injuries and cases of player unavailability.
Add to this a talented group of emerging youngsters – such as semi finals star Michael Edwards – and the Bears have the recipe for premiership success.
Nicholas Biscontin would be a welcome inclusion into the team if fit, while Jye Keath excelled in the reserves preliminary final. Otherwise, few changes are expected after such an impressive second semi final win.
South Morang will be keeping an eye on the fitness of Tye Hall, Raafat Rachrache, Mitchell Dickson and Matthew Trim. Hall last played in the regular season, while the other three were withdrawn from the preliminary final after playing the previous week.
Tactics should play an important role in the outcome. The Lions look almost certain to put Jake Potter on James Kroussoratis. Potter kept him to three goals in Round 13 and only two in the recent final.
Likewise, expect the Bears to run Adam Barclay on Anthony Capeci – a move that paid dividends two weeks ago. The other query is – does Banyule need Kroussoratis to kick a bag? Or can they rely again on a large spread of scorers as it did two weeks ago?
The midfield battle will be critical. Kieran Malone, Daniel Kelly, Devin McDonald and Michael Edwards got the job done a fortnight ago for the Bears against South Morang’s quartet of Luke Shelton, Mitch Dickson, James Hewson and Harry Whybrow.
The Lions may consider running Bojan Marinkovic with Michael Edwards; and perhaps giving Mitch Buckley more centre-square time to add grunt in the middle.
Way back in Round 5 at R.J. Brockwell Oval, South Morang jumped Banyule before the Bears fought back and drew away to win by 34 points – their first ever win over the Lions. South Morang then replaced their coach and numerous mature aged recruits exited the club.
Most would’ve tipped on the Lions to win the flag at the end of the home and away series. They had blown the Bears away by 51 points at Mill Park Lakes Reserve in Round 13 and entered the finals on a 12-game winning run.
But the second semi final result at the Whittlesea Showgrounds was in stark contrast to the previous result. The Bears ran away with the game in the third term and led late by 55 points before the Lions finished off with the final three goals.
South Morang fans will be hoping that they can emulate the efforts of Watsonia last year. The Saints recovered from a terrible second semi final display win a tight preliminary final, then went on the claim the flag.
But the Bears seem to have struck form at the right time. As the team that “drove down the highway”, Banyule may be selected by most tipsters. But teams that had to “hack through the jungle – do it the hard way” have won their fair share of grand finals.
LIVE STREAM: A live stream of the Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 Grand Final between Banyule and South Morang can be viewed on the Northern Football League Facebook page, while a broadcast can be heard on 88.6 Plenty Valley FM.
DOWNLOAD: A high-definition digital download of the grand final can be purchased at www.nfl.sportscastcloud.com.au seven days after game. The price of the digital download is $22.00.
SEASON STATS
BANYULE
15 wins – 2 losses
Points For – 2051, Average For – 121
Points Against – 1060, Average Against – 62
Average Winning Margin – 70
Average Losing Margin – 30
Leading Goal Kicker – James Kroussoratis (76)
Most Times In Best – Scott Gumbleton, Riley Keath, James Kroussoratis (8)
SOUTH MORANG
16 wins – 2 losses
Points For – 2014, Average For – 112
Points Against – 1040, Average Against – 58
Average Winning Margin – 65
Average Losing Margin – 35
Leading Goal Kicker – Alex Colaidis (38)
Most Times In Best – Tye Hall (10)
HEAD TO HEAD IN 2017
Second Semi Final: South Morang 12.8 (80) def by Banyule 17.14 (116)
South Morang
Goals: L. Shelton 2, M. Dickson 2, B. Marinkovic, A. Capeci, N. Johnston, B. Brown, D. Caruso, J. Hewson, M. Trim, R. Rachrache
Best: D. Watson, J. Potter, H. Whybrow, J. Hewson, D. Caruso, J. Mellerick
Banyule
Goals: S. Gumbleton 3, M. Italia 3, J. Kroussoratis 2, K. Malone 2, S. Downes, M. Edwards, M. Yarwood, R. Keath, J. Smith, R. Loton, D. Kelly
Best: M. Edwards, A. Barclay, R. Keath, S. Gumbleton, M. Italia, D. Kelly
Round 13: South Morang 16.19 (115) def Banyule 9.10 (64)
South Morang
Goals: A. Capeci 5, A. Colaidis 5, B. Marinkovic 2, L. Shelton, M. Dickson, D. Caruso, R. Rachrache
Best: A. Capeci, A. Colaidis, J. Hewson, L. Shelton, T. Hall, B. Power
Banyule
Goals: J. Kroussoratis 3, D. McDonald 2, M. Yarwood, K. Malone, J. Smith, R. Keath
Best: S. Gumbleton, A. Fulton, R. Loton, J. Clark, D. McDonald, J. Keath
Round 5: Banyule 15.12 (102) def South Morang 10.8 (68)
Banyule
Goals: J. Kroussoratis 5, M. Edwards 2, M. Yarwood 2, A. Barclay 2, S. Downes, R. Keath, K. Malone, D. McDonald
Best: N. Biscontin, J. Kroussoratis, A. Barclay, R. Keys, R. Keath, D. McDonald
South Morang
Goals: P. Harrison 3, K. Maghamez 2, A. Capeci 2, B. Brown, D. Caruso, L. Shelton
Best: J. Potter, M. Buckley, L. Shelton, N. Johnston, T. Hall, P. Harrison
