The race for the premiership steps up a gear as two epic matches await in the opening week of the 2013 Division 3 finals series.
Panton Hill, Watsonia, Thomastown and Reservoir will fight out this year’s post-season, all with the same hope – to secure this year’s premiership and earn promotion into Division 2 in 2014.
On the back of 10 consecutive victories heading into the finals, Panton Hill is the highly fancied premiership favourite and opens its finals campaign in Saturday’s second semi final against Watsonia at Shelley Street Reserve.
The Redbacks have been near unstoppable throughout the home and away season, winning 14 of 16 matches and finishing with a whopping percentage of 213.09.
They conceded just 833 points during the regular season, at an average of just 52 points a game. But to label the minor premiers as a defensive side would be incorrect given they comfortably scored the most points of any team in the competition.
With a midfield that has been bolstered by a number of fresh-faced youngsters since September last year, Panton Hill looks to have all the makings of a premiership side. It also goes into this year’s finals campaign with great confidence against its fellow contenders, having recorded a 6-1 record against top four sides this season.
The revival of Watsonia has been one of the feel-good stories of 2013, with the Saints going from wooden spooners to premiership contenders in the space of one year under playing-coach Lochie Dornauf.
They head into the finals series in hot form, having won six of their past seven matches with their only loss a two-point defeat to Reservoir in Round 16.
After being touched up by 64 points in their first encounter with Panton Hill, the Saints certainly closed the gap in their most recent meeting when they succumbed to just a 21-point defeat in Round 10.
With players of the calibre of Dornauf, Matt Crompton, Tony Hogg and dangerous forwards Jeremy Bennett and Brody Ricardi – the Saints will feel they have enough star quality to upset Panton Hill on Saturday.
They will be refreshed by a bye last Saturday and, given their underdog status, won’t be burdened by the same amount of pressure being heaped on Panton Hill.
The first semi final will be played between Thomastown and Reservoir on Sunday afternoon, also at Shelley Street Reserve, where the loser will have their 2013 campaign ended prematurely.
Very little has separated the sides in the home and away season, with the form of both sides fluctuating at times throughout the year.
Thomastown heads into the encounter in winning form after booting 10 goals to one in the final quarter against Heidelberg West last week to record a 64-point win – thanks to nine goals between Michael Khoury and Tristain Harrower.
The performance followed a disappointing draw to St Mary’s in Round 18, a result which ultimately cost it second spot on the ladder and a double chance in the finals series.
Reservoir had its four game winning streak ended by Panton Hill last Saturday, but will be buoyed by its first half where it remained within two points of the Redbacks at the main break.
After a mid-season lull where it won just three games between Round 4 to Round 13, the Mustangs have found form in the back half of the season which makes them a genuine threat during the finals series.
Both matches between Thomastown and Reservoir during the season have been thrillers, with the ledger shared at one win apiece.
Reservoir won the first encounter in Round 6 after breaking away late to win by 19 points, before Thomastown won the return fixture by five points in Round 13. On that occasion, the Bears led by 35 points before the Mustangs charged home to fall just short.
