By Max Richardson
With rain predicted, Saturday’s match between last Grand Finalists will be a hard fought and relentless battle. Both teams have won their past two matches in convincing style with key forwards Chris York, Nathan Edwards and Paul Williams the major contributors on the scoreboard for their respective clubs.
Belconnen
Belconnen will once again look to its gritty and hard-nosed midfield lead by the likes of the Bennet brothers and the classy Beau Walker for first use and their key forwards (York and Horan) must kick truly on a soggy afternoon if Belconnen are to take the 4 points. Recent inclusion Jacob Taylor has provided the Magpies plenty of spark up forward the last two games kicking 9 goals and will look to continue his recent good form. After a bag of 14 goals in the reserves, Dan Posch could return to the first grade team for the first time this year to provide support at either end of the ground.
Queanbeyan
Much similar to Belconnen, Queanbeyan will rely on its club stalwarts Klemke, Swann and Fruend and key positional players such as Williams and Quade in a slippery and contested game. Their recent form suggests that this game will be another close encounter similar to the last time these teams met when Josh Bryce missed a long range kick after the siren. Queabeyan have opted for youth so far this year with the likes of Palombi, Stevens and Vardanega showing promising development however they will be tested this week against a mature and hardened Belconnen outfit.
Keys to the Game
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In a wet and sloppy game, both sides will want to make their opportunities in front of goal count. Scoreboard pressure is crucial to team success and accurate kicking makes either team hard to beat.
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Both backlines must play well. Belconnen is severely undermanned in the back 50 and will really need to step up this week against one of the competition’s best forward lines that boasts big athletic players such as Grocott and Edwards. Similarly Queanbeyan defenders will be facing one of the competitions best forwards in Chris York, I suspect Clowry, Bowyer or O’Hallaran to get the big job on York. At the other end, I suspect forward convert Dom Bunyan will play on Grocott and Posch will go to either Edwards or Williams.
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If Belconnen allow Klemke to sit a kick behind play like they did in the Grand Final last year, the Queanbeyan captain will showcase why he is one of the competitions most elite players. His ability to read the play, direct traffic and continually make the right decision in the heat of the moment is exceptional and was a key to the Tigers post season success last year.
Prediction
Belconnen will continue their hot form and win in a wet and contested game by 3 goals.
Last Modified on 27/05/2016 19:34