The Big Sticks with Ryan Spellman – Grand Final Preview
Under 13’s: BITS Saints Vs Glenmore Bulls
The Saints and Bulls were the most dominate teams in the U’13s competition; a lot of lads from both sides were invited to play at the U’14s State Country Championships with the Capricornia Cyclones earlier in the season, so it is no surprise to see these two teams in the Grand Final today. Last Sunday’s Capricornia Junior Presentation saw many players from the Bulls and Saints in the mix, Bailey Malkki from Glenmore took out the Capricornia League Best & Fairest honours and Ben O’Reilly from BITS Runners Up. For nearly all players on both sides it will be the boy’s first taste at a competitive Grand Final which will be an eye opener and an exciting time for all involved.
Under 15’s: Gladstone Mudcrabs Vs BITS Saints
The Muddies U’15s have been a dominate force for the whole 2012 season going into today’s Grand Final undefeated to date. BITS are going in today as definite underdogs with their finals campaign not being an easy one having to play in all Elimination Finals. To the Saints credit the lads have already beaten the odds and are Grand Finalist for 2012. The battle of the Midfield will be an interesting clash, Gladstone’s Josh Brown and Jared Hayne together with the Saints Thomas Grainger have had a season to remember after being involved with numerous representative teams, personal accolades and getting the job done for the their teams each week. Although the Muddies are undefeated I’m not expecting a white wash today, it is not uncommon for the underdogs to get up on Grand Final day.
Under 17’s: Yeppoon Swans Vs Rockhampton Panthers
We were expecting to see Yeppoon and Glenmore in today’s big game. Panthers young guns Stephen Mills and Hamish Davidson have gone back to playing with their U’17s teammates after playing the 2012 season with the Panthers senior side in the A-Grade fixtures. This has given the Panthers an obvious boost. Tom Cossens from Yeppoon took out the leading goal kicker award at last Sundays Capricornia Presentation after kicking on average 5 goals a game in the 2012 season, the Swans will be hoping Tom “The Tank” Cossens has his golden boot on today. Swans defender Harry Boyd is back after a couple of weeks out, Yeppoon coach Matt Wallin is very happy to have Boyd back in the side. There are so many young exiting players in the Capricornia League, we are lucky to see this freakish talent on a weekly basis. Hopefully next season the U’17s competition is dropped to make the U’18s competition so we can continue to nurture these athletes of our great game into the Men’s competition, that way we will not lose as many after junior footy. To the lads playing in today’s Grand Final, you won't play with the same side as you are today, lap it up, enjoy it and have fun.
Reserves: BITS Saints Vs Gladstone Mudcrabs
The reserves competition in 2012 would be the best in regards to talent and a feeder to the seniors that the Capricornia league has seen, which shows that Aussie Rules in Central Queensland has appealed to new players from different sports because of the diversity that the game of Australian Football offers. The Port Curtis derby has been a great rivalry all season and today will be no exception. Gladstone reserves are undefeated to date and have great depth with so many players having played in both reserves and seniors that have left players fighting for their spot which is a sign of a great season that the Muddies have had. Reining premiers BITS always know how to turn it on when it comes to Finals time, this is the fourth Grand Final in a row that the Saints reserves have played in, and experience will be a massive advantage going into today’s game. The reserves will not be a scrappy game, both sides are very skilful and tactical around the ground. We will be in for a blockbuster which will go down to the wire.
Women’s: Gladstone Mudcrabs Vs Yeppoon Swans
The Women’s Competition in Capricornia is the strongest Women’s league between Brisbane and Cairns which is credit to AFL Queensland development staff and AFL Capricornia committee members for the introduction, promotion and sustainability of the Women’s league since its first season in 2010. Gladstone and Yeppoon have been strong sides the past three seasons, this year in particular they’ve been the most dominate of the 2012 season. Just because it is Women’s footy doesn’t mean it is Auskick rules, these lady’s have got some gumption, it is carnage on the footy field, massive hits and freakish marks and goals leave spectators cheering and scratching their heads at the same time, which is why it is such a great curtain raiser for the seniors. The lady’s themselves bringing a huge number of supporters which will make for an awesome atmosphere around the ground.
Seniors: BITS Saints Vs Gladstone Mudcrabs
The speculation and anticipation is just about to a close, BITS Vs Gladstone. The rivalry between the two will make for a fiery, skilful and exciting game of footy. With just under 1500 spectators watching, the feeling around the Rockhampton Cricket Ground will be electric. Gladstone senior Coach Bob Mar said, “BITS are the pinnacle of the competition”, with players Steve Isle and rodeo clown John Berouti back into the side, the Muddies will be going into the Grand Final at full strength. “Selecting the final squad for the seniors and reserves will be difficult it is never an easy task. Friday night we’ll finalise both sides and with sixteen odd players that will miss out on a game altogether we might even see some grown men cry”. In the Saints camp the feeling for most during Grand Final time will be a familiar one. Senior Coach Dean O’Brien took over the position half way through season 2012 and has kept the senior side on the right track. Like the Mudcrabs, BITS have had many new players to the club, but have also managed to keep developing young guns such as Daniel Hunt, Lachlan Cameron and Jamie Cunningham. Cameron, who sustained a scary injury to his abdomen half way through the season which was first thought to be a ruptured spleen, is in good contention to play today. “Lachlan started training lightly six weeks ago and has improved immensely, his doctor gave him the all clear on Wednesday, Lachy had a good preseason under his belt and is still the fittest in the team without a doubt” O’Brien said. When questioned about the Gladstone forward line and “The Animal” O’Brien said, “We have a very skilful and athletic backline who are smart defenders, we’re not too worried at all by John Berouti, he is good at ground level but with our pressure from the middle and half backline they won’t get to many easy kicks inside their 50, big 6’4 105kg muscle ball Luke Hambleton will most likely get the job down back as well as running off the wing into the middle to ruffle some feathers”. The battle in the midfield will be an interesting one; Daniel “Dougy” Hawkins will be a player to watch today. “At 6’2 and a built 90kg, mixed with his skills on both sides of his body he is hard to stop. Dougy has been untagable this season, any tag that Gladstone puts on him today will surely be a waste of time” O’Brien said. The Rockhampton Cricket Ground will be buzzing all day, a very successful 2012 Capricornia season is near a close. All AFL supporters and sporting fans in general should head down for a great afternoon of Australian Football.
Last Modified on 05/09/2012 20:22