The first place in this year’s premiership decider is up for grabs, while one of last year’s grand finalists will have their season ended in this week’s semi finals.
MONTMORENCY v BUNDOORA – Saturday @ Preston City Oval
For the first time since 2010, league powerhouses Montmorency and Bundoora will meet on the finals stage when they clash in the Division 1 second semi final at Preston City Oval.
Following two previous outings in 2013 which have both been game of the year contenders, this huge contest will see the winner claim the first place in this year’s Grand Final on September 21.
Great interest will be focused on Montmorency who will be looking to overcome a poor September record at Preston when as it begin its 2013 finals campaign.
A 15-3 win-loss tally in the home and away season gave the Magpies a second successive minor premiership, with the side winning its opening 13 matches of the season before a late lull.
The off-season departures of Dean Limbach, Kayne Pettifer, Aisake O’hAilpin and Michael Steven did nothing to stop the Magpies this year, with recruits Ryan Willits, Rowan Nayna, Mark McKenzie and Harley Ryan all fitting in well to life at Montmorency Park.
Willits in particular has been a standout and is sure to be a leading contender for the club’s best and fairest award, as well as league team of the year honours. He has been one of the dominant ruckmen in the competition and has booted 29 goals in 18 matches.
Perhaps his biggest challenge for the best and fairest will come from gun midfielder Ryan Jackson. In his first year as captain, Jackson has continued to amass huge numbers and has also booted 30 goals.
The Magpies forward line has functioned well with Patrick Fitzgerald and Ben Walton both surpassing 50 majors in the home and away season, but it has been their backline which is been the backbone of the club’s success.
Led by Shane Tennant, Craig Flint, Michael Fitz-Gerald and Daniel Coghill, the Magpies have restricted their opponents to an average of just 75 points per game – ranked No.1 in the competition.
Bundoora heads into this clash with great confidence, particularly given its four-goal win over the Magpies when the sides last met at Yulong Reserve just four weeks ago.
It was the back four of Trent Barbero, Ben Shelton, Brent Marshall and Neil Gloury who were superb in that victory, while Cameron Cloke and Gary Moorcroft combined for nine goals up forward.
It dominated the opening three quarters of its qualifying final against Heidelberg last Saturday, leading by 51 points at the last change before clinging on to win by 10 points.
Matthew Dennis put in a blinder and racked up disposals and contested marks all over the field, while Cameron Cloke threatened to rip the game apart early on and finished with four goals.
The Bulls will go into Saturday with injury concerns, most noticeably to Brayden Shaw and James Lord who both left the field early in last week’s win.
The prize for the winner of the second semi final is a week’s rest ahead of the premiership decider, while the loser faces a very tough task to bounce back against one of last year’s grand finalists, in either Heidelberg or Northcote Park.
HEIDELBERG v NORTHCOTE PARK – Sunday @ Preston City Oval
Regardless of the result in Sunday’s Division 1 first semi final, one of last year’s grand finalists will have their 2013 premiership ambition cut short.
Heidelberg and Northcote Park reacquaint themselves at Preston City Oval in a highly-anticipated clash that will propel the winner into next week’s preliminary final and eliminate the loser from this year’s finals race.
Having played off in the past nine Division 1 Grand Finals, Heidelberg finds itself in a first semi final for the first time in its decade of dominance. Prior to last weekend’s defeat to Bundoora, its last loss in its opening final was way back in 2006 – a year it went on to win the premiership.
The Tigers trailed the Bulls by 51 points last weekend and despite a spirited final quarter fightback – sparked largely by Jason Kennedy’s four goals – fell 10 points short of their fading opponent.
The usual suspects toiled manfully for the Tigers, with Kennedy, Mark Lynch, Danny Nolan and Blair Harvey all amongst their side’s best – however, there is no doubt a number of stars will look to improve this week after having their colours lowered last Saturday.
Despite plenty of supply with the breeze in the second quarter, Heidelberg’s forward line didn’t fire, with talented youngsters Chaz Sargeant and Jordan Treloar unable to impose themselves on the contest. As such, it was defenders Kennedy and Brad Miller who were thrust into attack to give their side a forward presence.
Mark Favrin looked lively throughout, but the Tigers missed the explosiveness of Lance Oswald who was consigned to watching from the sidelines as he battles to overcome injury.
Northcote Park sent a firm reminder that it is a genuine threat to again come from fourth place on the ladder to claim the flag.
In their first game back on Preston City Oval since last year’s Grand Final triumph, the Cougars annihilated Eltham in a 60-point result in last weekend’s elimination final.
Led by a dominant display by captain Bronik Davies and supporting roles from Daniel Ledda, Nick Carter and Shaun Lorenzini, the Cougars were never threatened in windy conditions.
Mitch Papas made a successful return from a long injury layoff and was the most dangerous forward on the ground with four goals. He and Koden Colman again look a handful inside forward 50m, while the ruthless attack on the football by Patrick O’Connell and Wade Demasi ensures Northcote Park’s smalls have plenty of crumbs to feed on.
Despite leaking some heavy scores in the back end of the season, the Cougars’ defensive unit kept the Panthers to just 16 scoring shots, with Damian Galofaro and Julian Violato doing a number on the ever-dangerous James Kroussoratis and Paul Currie.
Heidelberg has controlled both home and away outings between the sides this season. It claimed a 38-point away win under lights in the opening match of the year, before leading from start to finish in a three-goal victory at Warringal Park in Round 10.
