PeopleCare District League Grand Finals

First Grade:

Bellambi FC vs Oak Flats Falcons, 3pm @ Crehan Park

The big day is finally here and it’s none other than the dominant Bellambi that were there first, finishing on top during the 2019 season. They only had to beat Oak Flats in the Qualifying Final to advance straight to the final day. As for Falcons, they finished in third spot during the season before downing Helensburgh, 2-0 in the first week of the finals before gaining a second chance to defeat Thirroul in the Preliminary final last weekend.

The Rosellas dropped just nine points in the regular campaign with their only loss coming to Helensburgh in round 22. They have conceded just 13 goals throughout this run and ended with 63 goals scored. Their goal scoring ability was led by new signing, Ben Ellul - who is playing in his third consecutive grand final – and has also scored 13 goals in 17 appearances this year. Ellul, as well as powerhouse midfielder, Matt Passlack – who missed just two games this season - will be the Roseallas go-to men in this one. But despite their quality up front, they have some quality at the back. Grant Zanni (19 games), Sean Poulton (18 games) and Nathan Richardson (17 games) have been solid all season – which also shows through their impressive defensive record.

Oak Flats were a team that just wouldn’t go away in 2019. They held their spot in the top five for the whole campaign, as well as staying right on the tails of Bellambi and Helensburgh up until round 15. The Falcons stayed persistent and were only behind first place at this stage by four points, undoubtedly because of their squad depth- with 24 players playing five or more games for them this season. Jamie Stevenson led his troops at the back as he didn’t miss a game all season. They had a wide range of clinical goal-scorers too, with four players scoring eight or more – which is where 38 of their goals came from. Bojan Caric (12 goals) and Hayato Sadamori (10 goals) had successful debut seasons for the Falcons with the pair also being involved in several goals already in the finals series.

Bellambi have gotten the better of their opponents twice already this year, with a 4-1 (AET) win in the second week of finals and a 2-1 win in round 17. The round six fixture between the sides ended two-all at Keith Bond Oval.

 

Youth Grade:

Helensburgh Thistle FC vs University FC, 12:15pm @ Crehan Park.

The second game of the day sees the top two teams battle it out in what is set to be a spectacular contest in the Youth Grade Grand Final. These teams were separated by just one point at the top of the table, with a combined goal differential of +200. Helensburgh got to the big one with a 3-2 win over third placed Balgownie whereas the students did it the hard way, losing to Balgownie in the qualifying final only to bounce back and beat Shell Cove, 1-0. They would then avenge the loss to Balgownie, downing them 3-2 last weekend.

Helensburgh picked up two consecutive league titles in the Youth Grade competition and will be playing in another Grand Final, just 12 months after going down to Coniston. The Thistle have lost just one game all season – which was against University in round eight. They finished on 59 points, with 123 goals scored and only 20 against- making up the +103 in goal differential. Their ability to score goals up top came solely through league top scorer, Luke Miller who has scored a whopping 26 goals in just 14 games this season. Their run of form stretches out to five consecutive wins, with the team last dropping points against the students in a one-draw in round 19.

As for University, they ended the 2019 season in second place with 58 points, scoring a total of 114 goals and conceding just 17 – a league’s best. They are the only team that the Burgh didn’t beat this season but will be disappointed in dropping points against Balgownie and Thirroul to cost them the title. They are coming into this contest off the back of two wins in the finals series and will be eager to pick up a third to a team that they haven’t played in the finals series. Aidan Dennis picked up a brace in the 3-2 win over the Rangers last weekend, with the striker taking his overall tally to 12 in nine matches.

Despite the teams’ admirable attacking qualities, their two games this season ended in close, low scoring affairs. A 2-0 win to University in round eight and a one-all draw at Rex Jackson Park in round 19 suggests the game could be separated by a solitary goal in a close encounter that could swing either way.

 

Reserve Grade:

Thirroul Thunder vs Helensburgh Thistle FC, 10am @ Crehan Park.

The opening game of Grand Final day starts with the Northern Derby between Thirroul and Helensburgh in Reserve Grade. The Thunder were the only team in the top two competitions to beat the team who came first in the Qualifying Final, with a 1-0 win over the Burgh. However, the Thistle were able to bounce back to the final day with a comprehensive 4-2 win over Picton last weekend to set up a well-anticipated rematch.

Thirroul enter their fourth straight Reserve Grade Grand Final where they have won the last three. They finished the season in second with 51 points, scoring the most goals in the league with 84 and conceding just 25. Thirroul are still yet to concede in the finals series as well, with two 1-0 wins over Picton and then Helensburgh ensuring they’ve got a well organised backline. The goal scorer on both those occasions will definitely be the one to watch as Oskar Pruks continued his goal a game tally with 18 in 18 appearances. He also scored the Thunders only goal in last year’s Grand Final when they ran out as 1-0 winners.

Helensburgh will be looking to make amends for their loss to the Thunder just two weeks ago after an impressive attacking display over Picton. The Thistle had a stellar campaign, as the side finished on 57 points, with 70 goals scored and conceding just 21- a league’s best. They have averaged just over three goals scored per game and have only been held scoreless twice this season –both in which against Thirroul. Reggae Rowley led their attack throughout 2019 with a total of 19 goals – which ended second in the top scorers list. They will also be looking at their more experienced players with Bradley Matiuscenko only missing two games all year, making him an essential part of the Thistles title winning campaign.

With a win a piece in the regular season it could set up an interesting and intense affair that could lean either way. Helensburgh’s 3-1 win in round seven was cancelled out by Thirroul’s 2-0 win in round 18. And with another Thunder win in the finals already, could either mean they will surge to another Reserve Grade title or the Burgh will come out firing, looking to avenge that tight loss.

Preview by Nathan Turner, on Twitter @nathanturner23_

Photo courtesy of Noel Wynn