STANHOPE v TALLYGAROOPNA
Tallygaroopna produced arguably its greatest win in its proud history since claiming the 2005 premiership last weekend.
Down and on the way to being a spectator for the August/September action, the Redlegs’ rallied to kick 10 goals to one in the second half to overcome a five goal deficit to record a comfortable win.
Coach, Chris Earles has a massive task on his hands to ensure the boys aren’t just satisfied with qualifying for the finals.
The worry for them is some would say they played their grand final last weekend.
Earles needs to remind the players that they are there for a reason – because they have earnt the right.
And make no mistake the boys will fancy knocking off Stanhope, given that during their lean times they actually managed to beat the Lions a couple of times during the past three seasons.
Stanhope coach Brenton Gray knows his boys need to play much better than they did last weekend.
They got out of jail against Girgarre and it was only that winning mentally that dragged them over the line.
Gray will want his players to crack in, put their heads over the ball and get the score on the board.
One positive for the Lions is that they appeared to go through last weekend’s game without any fresh injuries and there will be 3-4 regular senior players knocking on the door to come back into the team for this cut throat final.
Both teams have goal-kicking aces up their sleeves and it will be the team that makes the most of their opportunities and handles the conditions better that will go through to the second week of the finals.
RECENT MEETINGS
Stanhope 16.9.105 d Tallygaroopna 9.10.64 – 2016
Tallygaroopna 12.8.80 d Stanhope 11.10.76 – 2015
Stanhope 16.17.113 d Tallygaroopna 8.2.50 - 2015
Stanhope 20.16.136 d Tallygaroopna 6.12.48 – 2014
Tallygaroopna 14.13.97 d Stanhope 14.8.92 -2014
VIOLET TOWN v MERRIGUM
Violet Town will be eager to win a final after failing miserably last year while Merrigum knows it can’t afford any slip ups as it begins its title defence today.
Both teams have had vastly different seasons, with the Towners’ much more consistent on their way to a fourth place on the ladder while the Doggies started badly, had a good middle part of the year and closed out the season a little shaky with a couple of losses, including to today’s opponent three weeks ago.
Both coaches are likely to face some selection dilemmas with Sean Horsburgh only 50-50 to play today after hurting his hamstring in round 19 while Christian Barnett is unlikely to be able to call on the players from Dhurringile prison.
Barnett knows his team will need to play better than they did in round 18 against Violet Town, but he can take solace that he has a lot of guys in the team that won’t panic if it gets tight in the last quarter.
Horsburgh knows his team will have to restrict the Bulldogs’ run off half-back and also make the most of their opportunities.
Rob Staff will need support from his forwards to help the Towners kick a winning score while the Bulldogs have been able to share the goals in recent weeks which holds them in good stead.
RECENT MEETINGS
Violet Town 12.13.85 d Merrigum 8.11.59 – 2016
Merrigum 13.14.92 d Violet Town 5.8.38 – 2015
Merrigum 14.14.98 d Violet Town 7.6.48 – 2014
Last Modified on 23/08/2016 11:42