Many thought Footscray and Port Melbourne would meet deep in the finals series, just not in the Preliminary Final.
Many had the clubs penciled in for the VFL Grand Final, but, that’s the vagaries of the game after the Borough lost its Qualifying Final to reigning premiers Box Hill Hawks.
Now, Port Melbourne must defeat Footscray, which has had a week to freshen up after a stirring win against Williamstown, if it’s to reach the Grand Final.
While the VFL Bulldogs were outstanding in its win and rocketed to flag favouritism on the back of that win against Williamstown, queries hover over who will and won’t play.
Five players - Mark Austin, Tom Campbell, Jason Johannisen, Fletcher Roberts and Tom Young - who played in Western Bulldogs’ final home and away loss to Greater Western Sydney are eligible to play in the Preliminary.
Lachie Hunter, who played for Footscray in the Qualifying Final, is unable to play as he did not meet the eligibility criteria.
But, speculation has been rife for weeks that Western Bulldogs will not field all its eligible AFL listed players with several players shut down for end-of-season surgery.
Footscray’s luxury is not only that it has so many players with AFL experience, but its core VFL players - Nick Lower, Brent Prismall, Jordan Russell and Lukas Markovic also boast a wealth of experience at the game’s elite level.
Conversely, Port Melbourne will be near full strength as it welcomes back 150-game player Toby Pinwill, very much the team’s midfield engine driver, and Jim ‘Frosty’ Miller medallist Daniel Connors.
Both Pinwill and Connors performed below the best in the loss against the VFL Hawks. The Boroughs rely on both so their output is vital.
Port Melbourne took an eternity to shake off a persistent Sandringham, but really the Borough’s atrocious conversion rate made the game more interesting than it really was.
The Borough have the added advantage of playing at home, but what tempers that physiological edge is that Footscray easily eclipsed Port Melbourne by six goals at the North Port Oval in Round 10.
Sure, Footscray boasted Jake Stringer and Hunter in that win and neither will play this week, but Port Melbourne, with the exception of the injured Josh Scipione, will field virtually the same team.
For Port Melbourne to win its key senior players - John Baird, James Magner, Shane Valenti, Tom O’Sullivan, Sam Pleming, Pinwill and Connors - need to reproduce the form they displayed consistently during the home and away season.
Footscray’s height, especially in attack - providing all its key forwards play - will trouble the Borough’s lack of height in defence. Box Hill Hawks exposed that chink in the Qualifying Final.
Port Melbourne love nothing more than a challenge, and Footscray will definitely provide one.
Remember to arrive early Saturday for the 2014 AFL Victoria Development League Grand Final between Williamstown and Box Hill Hawks. CLICK HERE to read about the clash.
WHEN: Saturday September 13, 2:10pm
WHERE: North Port Oval, Port Melbourne
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CLICK HERE to read about the Sunday Preliminary Final between Box Hill Hawks and Williamstown.
Last Modified on 11/09/2014 14:08