Finals commence in MCDFNL
The First Elimination Final of the Bendigo Bank Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League is at Princes Park on Sunday between Newstead and Avoca.
Avoca are coming off a surprise win over the reigning premiers in Natte Bealiba last Saturday at the Avoca Public Park and will boost their confidence going into this game as it was the first time for the season that they had defeated a side above them on the ladder. The fact that Newstead is in a form slump with two losses in the last two games of the season and are not performing to the level that they are capable of will also add to the confidence of the Bulldogs.
Newstead has only been able to score five goals in both of their past two games which would be a worry for Ross Smith and the Newstead faithful and this will be an area that they will concentrate on improving.
Avoca played with a lot of spirit in their win against the Swans and it was a game where their Coach Adrian Pilgrim led the way, particularly in the final stages of the game where he kicked three goals to seal the match. Another game like this will be required for the Bulldogs to continue further into the finals. The loss of Ben Howell at Full back will make the job a difficult one as Howell is the lynch pin of the back line. Howell is unavailable and will be in Wagga with work commitments.
Newstead seem to have the Bulldogs measure in most of their outings and this game could also go in their favour, but it could be a close encounter and it would not surprise if the Bulldogs provide another upset.
The Second Elimination Final of the Bendigo Bank Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League is at Hedges Oval on Sunday between Trentham and Natte Bealiba.
Late season form suggests that Trentham go into this game as favourites after they thrashed Campbells Creek last week and despite going down to Maldon a week earlier, they stormed home in the final quarter but could not sustain the challenge.
Dion Lawson has finished the season strongly and joins his brother Corey as two of the better recruits to the MCDFNL this season. Both have polled very well in the Lyal Eales award in the Maryborough Advertiser and will be possible candidates for the Berry Powell Medal.
Natte have been massacred by injuries to key players towards the end of the season and this has not helped the cause with losses in the final two rounds of the home and away season. Ian Martin could be another to join the injury list as he was helped from the ground on Saturday with a leg injury and he may not come up for this game.
A good contest is expected though as both teams have players that are capable of turning it on in patches and the brilliant Stephen Ross is an experienced finalist, while Axle Collins will enjoy the wide open spaces of Princes Park. Both of these players stood up in the Grand Final last season and could make all of the difference if the Swans are to get the opportunity to defend their title.
Trentham won against the Swans way back in Round two and it was noticed that a contingent from Trentham travelled up to watch them play Carisbrook recently so if they have done their homework, this may get them over the line.
First Qualifying Final
Premiership Favourites, Lexton, will try and land a significant punch towards winning their first Bendigo Bank MCDFNL Premiership this Saturday when they take on fourth placed Maldon.
The Tigers have been red hot following a first Round loss to Carisbrook and they look well driven to make their 2012 campaign a successful one.
Maldon on the other hand have sat in the shadows of the top bracket of teams this season but they enter the finals series in as sound as position as any with a double chance at their disposal.
Maldon Coach Scott Whitehead is more than optimistic about his teams prospects against the Tigers ‘’ We’re confident, we only went down by 2 goals at Lexton the last time we played them so it will be good to meet them on a neutral playing ground and we give ourselves a good chance’’.
Whitehead nominated the talented Steven Tung who has been a powerhouse for the Tigers this Season along with Damon Aspland as the two trump cards for the Lexton side that they need to close down.
He was confident that his hard working to defence could keep the skids on the free scoring Lexton attack ‘’ There doesn’t look to be any big issues there, we went down in a tight one last time we met and that included a few free kick infringements’’
‘’ We don’t want to be too fussed about them as we want to be confident in what we can do ourselves’’.
Patty Cummins and Wayne Burchell present as two possible options to try and negate the influence of consistent super boot Matthew Brown.
The run and carry of skilled players such as Kyle Winstanley, veteran Sean Burchell and Jack Fowler with rebound from the back half with be super important to Maldon catching the Tigers off guard.
In conclusion Lexton look well placed to advance to the Preliminary Final stage with a win in this match and should win by a margin of close to 30 points.
Second Qualifying Final
Carisbrook and Navarre look set for a cracker jack finals contest on Saturday at Hedges Oval, with a week off and entry to the Preliminary Finals stage, the present for the winner.
The Redbacks started the Season as Premiership favourites and while Lexton now hold that tag the Redbacks are sitting exactly where they need to be.
Luke Treacy and his Coaching partner Ben Kick have developed a hard working outfit that has a good spread on contributors at their disposal.
Nathan Wright has been instrumental in attack with a season that has produced seventy three goals including a six goal in the final round of matches. His strong set of hands and ability to score in opportunist fashion makes him a real weapon for the Carisbrook side.
Ben Kick along with Marcus Emmett, Tom Wright and Pat Jenes are amongst of slick ball users for the Redbacks and they are set for a great battle with the talented Navarre midfield.
Navarre on the other hand will look at players such as Louis Hannett, Bryce Tickner, Kris Brennan and Brian Lovison who have enjoyed strong Home & Away Seasons to carry their form into the finals arena.
Coach Daniel Parkin will be a focus of the Carisbrook brains-trust to try to negate his influence on the match, and the ability of the rookie coach to lead his side under finals pressure could be telling in the wash up.
In summary it has the makings of a match that could go the distance so a great match is assured for all who attend. Carisbrook to win by 10 points.
Last Modified on 31/08/2012 19:13