Second Semi Final - Navarre v Natte Bealiba, Princes Park, Saturday 7th September
Navarre will be forced to confront a rampant Natte Bealiba minus several key players as the Grasshoppers go toe-to-toe with the Swans in Saturday's semi final.
Navarre was left battered, bruised and undermanned after last week's qualifying final clash with Newstead, with serious injuries suffered in that game likely to keep coach Daniel Parkin (jaw) and key forward Zane Bigmore (shoulder) on the sidelines for Saturday's clash with Natte, while question marks linger over the fitness of a few other key players for the Grasshoppers.
Natte meanwhile progressed through last week's elimination final against Avoca relatively unscathed, and showcased the surging form which has catapulted the Swans into flag considerations, downing the Bulldogs with ease, despite low-key games from some of the side's key players. In a scary thought for the Grasshoppers, Natte looks likely to welcome back running utility Zac Perez from a hamstring injury, adding another focal point up forward for the Swans alongside Mark Fitzgerald, Lachlan Cameron and Ryan Weir, who slotted six goals against Avoca last weekend.
Key matchups in Saturday's clash will potentially include Rhett Murphy up against the Natte ruck duo Alexander Banko and Cameron, while Aaron Slorach or another of Navarre's young guns will likely go to Swans speedster Stephen Ross in an effort to limit the output of Natte's star studded midfield.
Navarre
B: Jeremy Harrington, Samuel Robertson, Tom Kaye
HB: James Chettle, Bryce Tickner, Brent Flood
C: Aiden Lee, Brian Lovison, Jayden Fowkes
HF: Nicholas Murphy, Ashley Driscoll, Cody Driscoll
F: Louis Hannett, Kris Brennan, Ben Scott
R: Rhett Murphy, Josh Driscoll, Daniel Reading
Int: Matt Newton, Jesse Eckel, Nigel Greenaway, Josh Fowkes, Zane Bigmore, Lachlan Slorach
In: Ben Scott, Lachlan Slorach, Matt Newton, Brent Flood, Nigel Greenaway
Out: Zach Parry, Daniel Parkin, Luke Hendy
Natte Bealiba
B: Brayden Mills, Christopher Jardine, Dean Graco
HB: Shane Mortlock, David Miles, Daniel Rothenberger
C: Daniel Gifford, Jacob Long, Stephen Ross
HF: Kurt Mortlock, Mark Fitzgerald, Nathan Ross
F: Zachary Perez, Karl Morley, Ryan Weir
R: Alexander Banko, Matthew Stagg, Brent Mortlock
Int: Lachlan Cameron, Jamie Evans, Michael McCarthy, Laurence Chadwick
Emg: Thomas Douglas
In: Zachary Perez
Out: Joshua Tong
First Semi Final - Lexton v Maldon, Princes Park, Sunday 8th September
Maldon are proven finals performers who caused a big upset last Sunday against Harcourt in the Elimination Final and will fancy their chances of continuing to a preliminary final berth after Lexton’s disappointing performance against Carisbrook in last Saturday’s Qualifying Final.
The Bombers never say die attitude was on show against the Lions as they kicked away in the final term after a close battle throughout the day.
Maldon has a number of running players that use the ball well and rely on a number of avenues to goal. Kyle Winstanley , Matt Kile and Jacob Fitzpatrick are players that go under the radar, while youngster Tommy Horne is a player that shows a lot of promise for the future.
Lexton’s defence was certainly under fire last week against Carisbrook and will need to be at their best if they are to curtail the effectiveness of the Bombers forwards.
Tiger midfielder Damon Aspland pulled out last week after a hamstring injury in the warm up and this will be a big blow to the Tigers as this is the area that the game will be on the line.
Lexton have many players that can fill Aspland’s role though and they will be looking to redeem themselves after last week’s poor showing.
Tiger spearhead Matt Brown was kept goalless last week which is very rare indeed and he will no doubt be looking to atone for that this week.
The Tigers are expected to bounce back and should do so, but it will be no surprise to see the Bombers advance to the Preliminary Final.
Lexton
B: Bryce Karslake, Michael Jennings, Lewis Alexopoulos
HB: Paul Phillips, Jordan Phelan, Trevor Johnson
C: Daniel Chester, Robert Hind, Trent Brown
HF: Cohan Poulton, Thomas Fisher, Matthew Torpey
F: Paul Roberts, Matthew Brown, Robert Mosby
R: , , James Morrish
Int: Dean Murray, Mark Ferguson, Lachlan Pryor, Bradley Vagg
Emg: Brett Pryor, Shaun McArthur
Maldon
B: Ryan Dickson, Mark Folwell, Mark Webb
HB: Luke Davey, Jamie Cox, Tommy Horne
C: Kyle Winstanley, Shaun Burchell, Timothy Conway
HF: Damien Gatti, Justin Trevan, Christopher Milham
F: Tom Cain, Jacob Fitzpatrick, Matthew Kile
R: Josh Pascoe, Wayne Burchell, Hayden Kelly
Int: Jake Elliott, Kel Chaffey-Jones, Marc Carroll, Wayne Bell
Emg: Nicholas Kelly, Andrew Hall
Last Modified on 06/09/2013 19:07