Grand Final Preview – 1:30pm Mahoney
This has been one of the mostly anticipated clashes all season with little separating the two leading clubs of the SWAFL 2008 Competition. Head to head this season in all formats, it has been Wests 4 – Balmain 2.
I guess the key to winning will be the defensive capabilities of each side as the attacking prowess of both teams has been well known. For Wests their half-forward to full-forward line oozes with talent from Cynthia Dufaut, Sarah Stone (Back from a broken ankle earlier in the season) and full-foward goal-kicking leader Marie Keating. For Balmain their centre half-forward – full-forward combinations of Belinda Pride (2nd in the league for goal-kicking) and Kate Fitzsimons and forwards including Kate Walsh and Natalie Morgan provides multiple opportunities for goal scoring. Being accountable is a must for both sides, as any slipups will bound to result in a scoring opportunity.
In the centres, speed is the essence as both rucks seem to negate each other but the engine room of Wests led by Melissa Bibby and Trish Muller have been the impetus to create attack. In contrast Balmain Captain Natasha Devlin has been hard to stop all season and continues to lead by example ably supported by Kate Goggins and Kath Kobzan.
With state coach Jason King in charge of Wests, his assistant State Coach Darren Morrow in charge of Balmain and with both sides knowing each other so well playing each other six times already in season 2008, it will be the team who wants it more who will win.
For the Western Wolves, one of the foundation clubs of SWAFL this will be their 8th grand final in nine years and if they win this will be their 3rd title (premiers – 2000 and 2006, runners-up 2001-2005).
For the Balmain Dockers, also one of the foundation clubs of SWAFL this will be their 1st grand final they have contested.
For those interested here are the SWAFL Rules on Extra-time:
18 (iv) In the event of a draw at the end of a finals game, extra time will be played until there is a winner. Extra time is 10 minutes; 5 minutes at either end. If at the end of the first 10 minutes it is still a draw, a further 10 minutes will be played. This arrangement to continue until match is resolved.
For us spectators, extra time is not an improbability in the grand final. We eagerly look forward to the best side winning, free of umpiring decisions making the critical difference and free of injuries. Enjoy!
Last Modified on 03/09/2008 05:56