Two old sparing partners lock horns to decide who will challenge the Hawks in the Grand Final. Central Eyre having led the competition since round six, and the ever improving and surging Elliston. Over the years these two have lined up against each other in many epic Finals, most recently in the 2012 Preliminary Final at Elliston. The Roosters prevailed that day, enjoying the comfort of being at Elliston Oval and a close hand witness to the scatter gun Bulldog scoring, 9 goals 30 behinds! Prior to that the Preliminary Final at Minnipa in 2009, virtually gifting the Hawks the Flag when these two just belted each other from start to finish. Roosters limping into the Grand Final that year, effectively losing five players to injury, Bulldogs faring no better.
Over Mid West history, Elliston has played 28 finals, 11 of these have been against Centrals, but the Bulldogs hold sway seven to four. Centrals have played 41 finals, more than any other club.
In Preliminary Finals, Centrals have played in seven for three wins, Elliston much more imposing, playing in six, winning five of them, indicating when they get this far, they like to go on!On the season, Central Eyre have won all three encounters, round two by 44 points, round seven, a 122 point smack, and round 12 by 59 points, in this one Central Eyre only running away in the last quarter after a prior close struggle.
Looking at the year, a Bulldog win appears favoured, but so much needs now to be considered, Bulldog injuries have mounted over the past few weeks restricting training, a bruising encounter last weekend. Elliston came through the 1st Semi virtually unscathed, rested up last week and have the prospect of returning Port Adelaide stars Adam Hurrell and Matt Williams. Things have evened up!
What an opportunity for Centrals, a return match to re account for their shock loss at Elliston in 2012, this time on their own patch at Warramboo. (Incidentally, Central Eyre has never won a final at Warramboo and Elliston have never lost a final at Warramboo).
Central Eyre will regain Tyler Chapman and Lachlan Heath, both from hamstrings but both training OK! Patch ups to big Nails O Brien, Martin Grocke and Clint Winter will see the Bulldogs pretty much with a full list, the first time for quite a while! When looking at the Bulldogs, their height always seems to come to the fore, Kane Sampson, Nails O Brien, Ty McKenna, Tim Polkinghorne, Brett Mc Comb, Tommy Freeth. Marking power and strength no doubt, but the big key this week is to keep the Roosters running and chasing. The dogs had a great pre season, and this has held them in good stead when hard games have hit. Therefore look out for the runners. Mail Medallists Jared Sampson (2014) and Jake Bruce (2012, 2013) are class athletes, The elusive Clint Winter, Jake Sampson, better after injury concerns. Young Guns Micah Van Loon, Connor Dowden and Hayden Heath. Defensively Jaseton Heath, Kane Murphy and John Mc Beath are mean and determined, with superstar full back Ryan Sampson playing more of a utility role in recent weeks. The Bulldogs have lots of options and also the potential to kick big scores at any time. Coach Wade O Brien knows about finals and has won plenty.
Elliston are the big enigma. Seventy players in A Grade over the season, some clubs don’t play that many over the two grades! Those at the 1st Semi will have noticed that when the Roosters lift, scoring comes quickly and they don’t mind mixing it up in the harder finals environment. In come Matthew Williams and Adam Hurrell, right up there with the best at Rooster land. Coach Chad Fleming has options and all of a sudden the Elliston boys are a real threat to everybody. Guy Hutchison back from college and enjoying the past few weeks playing back home. Keys include Aaron Castley and Tom Rumbelow in the middle, this will be a midfield clash to savour, the strength of Adam and Tom Haarsma. Welcome back both Jake Matthews and Jimmy Bascomb, joining Andrew Mc Leod they give the big man department a real boost, the red and whites are getting first use of the football. Thomas and Jack Bascomb, Steve Paul and Ben Hurrell are genuine go to forwards, all in great form going into this. Defensively Robbie Pickett, Kane Tiller and Bill Bascomb will get plenty of the football, all clear winners last start. Adam Green has been impressive all year, and any side plays better football having Jack Carter on board.
This promises to be a great game. Both have legitimate claims to why they can win and both will start confident. The key to the match will be whether the Bulldogs can keep the match open and the ball moving, they will be fitter than Roosters who’s training numbers don’t match the enormous match day turnouts. Elliston like to play in 10-15 minute bursts, hold on for a breather then start again. Any of these bursts can yield five to six goals in very quick succession, which is as exciting to watch as it is to play, a sheer adrenaline rush as a sea of red and white rise in a tidal wave forward. Centrals have had a great season, will enjoy the open spaces of the big Warramboo oval, and are favoured to weather the storm here, setting up a re match against the Hawks.
Reserves (12.30pm)
The Hawks really came back to mother earth last week with a thud, but they will have up to six ins this week as they look to make amends against the Magpies. Wudinna United have the advantage in that there is no A Grade prospects to consider.
West Coast Hawks have won all three games during the year, 137pts, 28 pts and 58 pts. This is the normal home and away rounds, but finals are a different kettle of fish altogether! The Hawks are the defending premiers and will be seething at last weeks result. Wudinna United came through a hard physical encounter with their dearly beloved neighbour the Bulldogs, so will be looking forward to another hard fought game
The Blue and Gold’s have a great mix of young and old, Jason Mc Gilvray, Darren Guidera, Simon Tucker, Jason Mc Evoy and Eric Elliott, veterans yes, but what a wealth of A Grade experience. Having Lijah Daniel back is a luxury. Mont. Medallist Jaxon Gilmore is playing in first senior finals and Harmon Baldock turns heads with his pace and enthusiasm. Sam Frick and Dion Trezona are always up and about providing plenty of ball forward
The Maggies have welcomed back David Moyse is recent weeks, who provides a real presence and menace. Zane Petty is a man mountain, along with Tom DuBois win plenty of contested footy. Qualified A Grade contingent includes Ryan Cummings, Tom DuBois, Nigel Oswald, Scott Williams which will help bridge the gap during the season. Brothers Kym and Liam Tree love finals and play at their best, Greg Barns and Stefan Wilkins looming as dangerous forwards Club legend Magic Marshall is primed to fire on the big stage.
The Hawks deserve to start favourites here by virtue of the results on the season, they will love a rematch with arch rivals the Bombers. This will be a close contest however, and could well go either way.
Colts (10.30am)
Now here is a good match up, Grand Finalists from last year, with the unfavoured Bulldogs overrunning the then top of table Hawks. Well matched and both with a good claim.
Second v third on the season, Round one Central Eyre by 4 points, Rounds six and eleven, Hawks by 97 points and 68 points. Both will be at full strength, as would be expected for finals.
Hawks are coached by Dylan Kelsh, Bulldogs by Jared Sampson, both current EP reps, excellent communicators and motivators held in high respect by their charges.
West Coast Hawks appear to have an edge in overall height, but the younger Bulldogs are footballers through and through. Look out for Jaxon Galliver, Jay Johns and Noah Legovini around the middle. Their leg speed and sheer work load is outstanding, True utility, go anywhere man Zane Montgomerie has had a great season and Harry Goosay is the number one go to man up forward. Throw in the skills and poise of Tom Shaw, Kyle Tucker and Harmon Baldock, these blue and gold boys look the goods, Add Zak Lovegrove, Zeph Mohi and a fleet of runners, the Hawks have a well balanced and fit side.
Centrals also boast a host of big game players, and they produced a stunning brand of football in the 1st Semi. Key big man is captain Kane Grocke, unmatched for strength in anywhere below World Championship Wrestling. Lockwood medallist Connor Dowden’s star continues to rise, the harder the game the better he plays. Brendan North , Tynan Sampson are enjoying great seasons, Joe O Brien, a big seven last outing, but plays just as well up back. Mac Heath has inherited all the blistering speed and know how of his wise old man. Jackson Grocke and Corey Waters really turned heads with their efficiency and work ethic. A host of young runners see the club having a great future.
This one could go either way, but the Hawks will start favourites based on the recent wins between these two, wont be much in it at the end either way! Both won’t mind a match up with the Magpies if they can get through this game!
Last Modified on 05/09/2014 16:48