Division 2 culminates this Saturday at Preston City Oval with Fitzroy Stars and Whittlesea playing off for the right to play with the Northern Football League’s elite in season 2014.
Fitzroy Stars have the psychological edge heading into the premiership decider, having beaten the Eagles in their two previous encounters this season. That includes a 51-point triumph in the second semi final– which was driven by an 11-goal last quarter at Lalor Reserve.
After falling at the second last hurdle to North Heidelberg in 2012, the Stars have already progressed one step further in 2013 and will be hoping for their maiden premiership in only their sixth season in the NFL.
Captain and 2012 Division 2 Best and Fairest Lionel Proctor has once again produced an excellent season, playing every game and should once again figure prominently in the Division 2 vote count on September 16.
However, it is not only Proctor’s work which has taken the Stars this far. Midfield dynamos Alex Isailovic, Malcolm Dow, Kaelun Brown and Jai Burns have formed one of the most potent midfields in the competition.
They are able to frequently give opportunities to forwards Patrick Davis, John Hayes, Corey Wanganeen and David Welsh. At the other end of the ground, Justin Settle and Jake McCauley are well equipped to take on Whittlesea’s equally potent forward line.
The Eagles have not had an entirely convincing finals series, but have earned their spot thanks to a 23-point preliminary final victory over North Heidelberg at Eltham last week.
After finishing on top of the ladder with a 16-2 record, the Eagles were outplayed by the Stars a fortnight ago and will look to send departing coach Peter Bugden out with a bang and seek the best retribution possible when it matters.
Andrew Fairchild became the second player to reach 100 goals in season 2013 on the last kick of the preliminary final, and will be Whittlesea’s go to man in the forward line. With support from Paul Harrison and Lucas Hobbs, Whittlesea will favour themselves to kick a big score.
If the Eagles are to win, they must address the midfield battle and not allow Fitzroy to engineer their run and carry on the outside. Ruckman Jeremy Page will need to put in a big game and feed his midfield brigade, in order to prevent the Stars midfield from overwhelming the Eagles as they did in the second semi.
The Eagles’ defence will also have to be on their game, with many of the Stars goals in the aforementioned final created through crumbing opportunities. The defence, marshalled by Dale Saddington, will have to work together to prevent Fitzroy’s high scoring ways, having conceded well over 100 points each time they have played the Stars in 2013.
After the thrilling conclusion to last weekend’s Division 3 Grand Final, the Division 2 decider has a lot to live up to, and these two sides are the best equipped to provide us with another thriller.
HEAD TO HEAD IN 2013:
Second Semi Final: Whittlesea 14.12 (96) def by Fitzroy Stars 22.15 (147)
Whittlesea
Goals: A. Fairchild 5, L. Hobbs 3, R. Dyson 2, M. Webb, T. Behan, P. Harrison, B. Briffa
Best: A. Fairchild, S. McAuliffe, B. Toll, J. Page, C. Horman, L. Hobbs
Fitzroy Stars
Goals: B. Sibosado 5, C. Wanganeen 3, P. Davis 3, P. Hood 3, J. Hayes 2, M. Dow 2, L. Proctor, K. Brown, J. Burns, J. Brennan
Best: K. Morgan, J. Wanganeen, M. Dow, C. Thorpe, D. Walker, B. Sibosado
Round 14: Fitzroy Stars 17.11 (113) def Whittlesea 13.13 (91)
Fitzroy Stars
Goals: J. Hayes 4, P. Davis 4, D. Welsh 2, A. Isailovic 2, B. Sibosado 2, K. Brown, P. Hood, L. Proctor
Best: B. Sibosado, A. Isailovic, L. Proctor, D. Walker, J. Mc Cauley, J. Hayes
Whittlesea
Goals: L. Hobbs 5, P. Harrison 2, T. Behan , R. Dyson , B. Gray , A. Fairchild , N. Andrews, C. Horman
Best: N. Stefanile, L. Hobbs, D. Saddington, S. McAuliffe, R. Dyson, G. Heenan
Round 7: Whittlesea 19.14 (128) def Fitzroy Stars 18.12 (120)
Whittlesea
Goals: J. Page 4, A. Fairchild 3, N. Stefanile 2, L. Hobbs 2, B. Toll 2, R. Dyson, S. McAuliffe, M. Webb, J. Atkins, L. Deards, B. Briffa
Best: J. Page, R. Dyson, L. Hobbs, R. Dyson, M. Atta, L. Deards
Fitzroy Stars
Goals: L. Bamblett 3, P. Davis 3, C. Wanganeen 2, J. Hayes 2, D. Walker, P. Hood, J. Brennan, T. Lovett-Murray, M. Brown, J. Burns, K. Morgan, L. Proctor
Best: M. Dow, L. Proctor, L. Bamblett, K. Brown, J. Seetle, J. Burns
