Qualifying Final
Riddell v Diggers Rest - at Ian Cowie Reserve, Rockbank
MEETINGS THIS YEAR
Round 1 – Riddells Creek Reserve
Riddell 12.13 (85) defeated Diggers Rest 12.8 (8)
Round 14 - Diggers Rest Reserve
Diggers Rest 12.7 (79) defeated Riddell 2.6 (18)
QUARTERS WON
Riddell
1st - 13
2nd - 13
3rd - 8
4th - 12
Total - 46
Diggers Rest
1st - 14
2nd - 8
3rd - 13
4th - 13
Total - 48
LAST WEEK
Riddell - The Bombers head into the finals series in remarkable form after defeating the Sunbury Kangaroos by 48 points on home soil. After a tight opening half, Troy Scoble's men kicked away in the third term with six goals to one and lead by 40 points heading into the final term. They eventually battled on to an eight goal win after leading by nearly 10 goals in the final term. Dave Bruno impressed in the ruck and had the better of the duel with Sunbury duo Jamie Cuffe and Leigh Fishendon. He was handy around the ground and created a good physical presence around the ground. He was supported well by midfielders Aaron Blade, Haydn Ross and Ethan Foreman who dominated their opponents in the second half. It was a good team performance from the red and black that deserved to finish on top of the ladder and as minor premiers after dropping just one game all season, to today's opponents.
Diggers Rest - The Burras impressed in an entertaining hit-out at Rupertswood. They were challenged every step of the way in their 22 point win and the Sharks refused to go away. Shaun Sims was at his impressive best with five goals and Brent Tuckey finished the afternoon with three goals to take out the league leading goal kicker of the season. Craig Marshall impressed in the midfield and performed well against some of the quick stars in Rupertswood's line-up. The Burras worked well as a tram and after kicking away to a 10 point quarter time lead, they worked hard to stay in front in what proved to be a very entertaining game of football and a good test for Diggers Rest heading into today's big game.
THE GAME
This explosive match is for a place in the 2013 Second Semi final that is one game closer to a spot in the season's decider on September 15. Diggers Rest blew an injury ravaged Riddell off the park in Round 14 to send a shock down the spines of the other premiership contenders. Expect this match to be tough, physical and intense. Diggers Rest have a great record over Riddell during the first three weeks of the finals in recent season but have failed to get over the line in three grand finals. They ended Riddell's race for the premiership last year in the First Semi final and will be eager to win this game and send them back to the Frist Semi final this year in order to fight to keep their finals hopes alive. Riddell were relentless in their performance against the Sunbury Kangaroos last week and showed such great run and movement from half back to half forward. It was a well balanced team performance and given the quality of opposition in this game, they will need to rise to those levels again. Riddell has been the team to beat all year and this no doubt promises to be yet another epic battle.
X FACTOR
Riddell's Mick Allen could be the surprise packet in this game. He kicked 100 goals in 2011 and is just as capable of kicking a big bag of goals if given the opportunity. Riddell share the ball around in their forward line very well. Allen is a cheeky goal sneak that has pace and brilliant goal sense. If there is one player that can determine the result of this game, don't be surprised if its Allen and that he chimes in with three or four quick goals to break the game wide open given his great capabilities.
First Elimination final
Sunbury Kangaroos v Rupertswood at Eric Boardman Reserve
MEETINGS THIS YEAR
Round 1 - Eric Boardman Reserve
Sunbury Kangaroos 20.15 (135) defeated Rupertswood 15.11 (101)
Round 14 – Rupertswood Reserve
Sunbury Kangaroos 5.10 (40) defeated Rupertswood 1.9 (15)
QUARTERS WON
Sunbury Kangaroos
1st - 11
2nd - 11
3rd - 12
4th - 12
Total - 46
Rupertswood
1st - 11
2nd - 7
3rd - 11
4th - 7
Total - 36
LAST WEEK
Sunbury Kangaroos - The Roos wee ravaged by a determined Riddell last week. The Roos showed great promise in the first half after holding the Bombers to their first scoreless quarter of the year. Unfortunately for the Roos, they couldn't capitalise on the scoreboard and registered just two behinds. They showed great signs early with Adam Walsh drifting forward and kicking a goal in the opening minute and Lucas Dowson kicking truly from the right forward pocket to keep the lead early in the first term but that was about it as the Bombers took the lead, maintained it and kicked away to a valuable win. Kayne Murphy was arguably the best player on the ground for three of four quarters for the day. He won plenty of contested ball in the midfield and found himself on the end of great second and third efforts to arrest possession from the determined Riddell onballers. The Roos have a lot to do in order to get themselves back as the team to beat this year but a win today will put them one step closer to retaining their title.
Rupertswood - The Sharks played exciting and daring football against Diggers Rest last week and they nearly pulled off a remarkable win. After their strong effort against the Hawks in Round 17, they wanted to be competitive against the Burras and they certainly delivered. Todd Podolczak performed well all throughout the game. Diggers Rest kicked away in the third term with six goals to three to break away to a four goal half-time lead and that was essentially the margin at the fend of the game. Luke Spinner bobbed up with four goals to give coach Dave Barry another great avenue to goal while Leigh Brennan kicked three goals against some strong quality attention from the strong Burra's backmen. There were plenty out of positives to take from the game and enough to give them some hope heading into the clash with the Roos.
THE GAME
The Kangaroos have it all before them as they look to keep their finals hopes alive and the dream of winning back-to-back premierships. There will be a massive crowd in attendance to cheer on both sides and the atmosphere will be equal to that of a Grand final. Rupertswood will turn up to play. Unlike the First Elimination final over the last few seasons where the third placed churned out a big win, this will be a closer encounter. The loss last week will spark the Sunbury Kangaroos into action. They had few impact players in the midfield and their backline was blitzed by the strong Riddell attack. Jared Pretty and Ryan Hatty were missing in action but they would not have made a big difference. Rupertswood will face a more difficult opposition than last week as the Kangaroos look to return to the winners list and give the winner of the Qualifying final some big headaches. This will be no walk in the park as Rupertswood know how to lift against great opposition. The league will be spoiled with this classic cross town rivalry to start the finals.
X FACTOR
Rupertswood's Leigh Brennan will be the player to watch in this game. He is capable of kicking five or six goals and kick goals from long range. He is one of the best at taking contested marks in the competition and is a brilliant leader on the field. The Shark's skipper will have a big say in this game and if he can get the edge on Sunbury Kangaroo full back Dan Gregory, he may help swing the game in Rupertswood's favour.
Catch the game live and exclusive on 88.1FM at the ground/ 100.7 Highlands FM – highlandsfm.org.au
Second Elimination Final
Romsey v Macedonat JJ Clancy Reserve
MEETINGS THIS YEAR
Round 3 – Tony Clarke Reserve
Romsey 16.19 (115) defeated Macedon 7.12 (54)
Round 15 – Romsey Park
Macedon 14.20 (104) defeated Romsey 7.15 (57)
QUARTERS WON
Romsey
1st - 9
2nd - 11
3rd - 10
4th - 7
Total - 37
Macedon
1st - 6
2nd - 9
3rd - 12
4th - 6
Total - 33
LAST WEEK
Romsey - The Redbacks ended a five game losing streak with a strong 56 point win over Woodend/Hesket at home. It may not have been the most impressive Romsey performance this year but it was a valuable win nonetheless. Matt Davidson returned to form with seven goals to take his tally to 61 and finish the league's goal kicking in second place. Romsey jumped away to a 40 point lead at half-time before both teams battled it out in a physical second half. Dermot Smythe impressed in the midfield and showed that he has plenty to offer the Redbacks in the business end of the year. Craig Robbins was sensational with his performance standing out and helped get his team over the line. Steve Burlak returned to the team and led by example. He is an outstanding leader around the club and a successful Romsey performs better with him in the team. The younger players look up to him and he works really hard off halfback. Mitch Farmer and Jackson Mills showed some signs of brilliance in the win.
Macedon - The Cats capped off the home and away season in style with a big win over Wallan. They led the Pies by almost 10 goals at three quarter time before the Pies closed to within three goals at the final siren. The Cats were very impressive all around the ground and needed a victory to give them the confidence of having a big finals series. Their second half of the year has been impressive and it has turned around for the best since Round 13 when the lost heavily to the Piesl Michael O'Brien stepped up with four goals for the Cats as the ex-Kyneton star proved to the rest of the competition that he can still have a big impact at Senior level. James Wright led by example with three goals while Darren Goodwin had yet another impressive performance to maybe leave a great impression with the field umpires for votes.
THE GAME
This has all the makings of being an instant classic. Macedon kicked away in the final term of their last encounter in Round 15 to set up a big win and set up the run of confidence towards the end of the season. Romsey's injury woes throughout the home and away season count for nothing today. They will need to strive hard on the track to get their best side on the paddock and work to the best of their ability. Macedon looked sharp on the track during the week. They appeared focus and determined to tackle the task at hand with as much run and aggression as possible. The JJ Clancy Reserve appears in good condition and that will suit their run. The ground travels uphill towards the social rooms and it could be a battle of fitness. Given that Macedon have remained relatively unchanged in recent weeks and possess a high level of fitness, that could come into their favour. Romsey have enjoyed two golden years and were determined to make a statement to the competition this year. Macedon will want to make a statement of their own. Don't be surprised that they may just win and set up a possible clash with Diggers Rest next week, an all too familiar sight in finals.
X FACTOR
Craig Robbins has been one of the most improved players of the competition as the year has progressed. He has made the most of the injuries to the midfield and he will be a big factor in this game. He is a goal kicker, brilliant tackler and he works hard to follow up with second and third efforts. He wears the number 18 with pride and he will have a big say in whether Romsey win or lose the game.
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Last Modified on 23/08/2013 14:09