THE right to take on Heidelberg in the 2014 Division 1 Grand Final awaits the winner of this week’s preliminary final between Greensborough and Macleod at Preston City Oval.
Sunday’s match represents somewhat of a changing of the guard in Division 1. Neither the Boro or the Kangaroos made the finals series in 2013, and both have waited what feels an eternity to play off in another Division 1 premiership decider.
Greensborough’s last Grand Final appearance in the top flight was back in 1989, when it defeated Lalor by 65 points to claim back-to-back premierships.
For Macleod, the long wait for another Division 1 Grand Final berth extends back to 1971, when the side won the flag while competing as Macleod-Rosanna.
Regardless of the result this weekend, both sides have had exceptional campaigns ahead of their biggest game for decades.
The Boro looked well on the way to victory last weekend when they led Heidelberg by 17 points midway through the final term of their second semi final clash.
However, a late five-goal storm by the Tigers was enough to see them through to a 10th Grand Final appearance in eleven years.
Just how the Boro respond from the disappointment of letting last week’s game slip remains to be seen.
Co-captain Lachlan McQuilken was a standout in the 15-point defeat, while emerging duo Brent Ryan and Liam Emery continued their solid finals series following prominent showings in the previous week’s win over Montmorency.
Club leading goal kicker Tim Bongetti will serve the last of his four-week suspension this weekend, meaning he is eligible to play in next week’s Grand Final if Greensborough is victorious in the preliminary final.
In Bongetti’s abscence, Josh Grubb was the pick of the Boro forwards last weekend, snaring three goals. Meanwhile, Luke Stanton, Andrew Stellas and Rhys Boyden each kicked multiple goals.
Similar to its win over Bundoora in the elimination final, Macleod led for the entirety of its 28-point victory over Montmorency last Sunday.
The result ensured Macleod eliminated both of last year’s grand finalists in successive weeks.
The Roos did the damage in the third term when they booted five unanswered goals to take a commanding 45-point lead into the final change.
Defenders Brad Leggett and Daniel O’Brien were superb in quelling Montmorency’s dangerous tall forwards, while Laurence Schubert and Steven Kelly both stood up on the big stage.
Patrick Martin has been a standout in this finals series, named in Macleod’s best four in both matches and contributing four goals.
Greensborough and Macleod have met on two occasions in 2014, with the Roos victorious on both occasions despite recording four less victories than the Boro in the regular season.
The last time the sides met – in Round 13 at De Winton Park – the Roos overcame a 27-point deficit midway through the third term to win by 15 points.
Both sides were wasteful that day, with Macleod booting 2.7 in the first quarter before Greensborough added 4.12 after the main break.
Back in Round 4, the Roos handed the Boro their first loss of the season with a 16-point away win at War Memorial Park.
Hamish Paynter was best afield, while youngster Reid Brandt kicked three goals in a low-scoring affair.
