Western Districts will be hosting the Preliminary Finals at Poochera this weekend. Promise of spectacular action with a Grand Final berth on the line. So often Preliminary Finals produce the best football of all finals, all clubs travelling to the match will fancy their chances.
The Bombers are rested, a good performance in the 1st Semi and the benefit of a look at their opponents for this week.. The ‘Dogs challenged all the way in the 2nd Semi and are formidable. Head to head this season, Centrals two wins to Wirrulla one. These two clubs have met in seven Mid West finals, Centrals leading the ledger five to two.
These clubs look very well matched, certainly some of the League’s very best big men will play this weekend. Both sides play an open style of game that looks to score quickly rather than restrict their opponents, and neither side will shirk any contest (verbal or physical!).
Centrals ruckwork was excellent last week, Brett Mc Comb and Tim Polkinghorne taking advantage of missing Hawk talls. The Bombers have regular ruckman Yanni Kozminski on the sidelines for one more week so need coverage for him. Could well rest with a combination Mitchell Gum, Craig Johnson , Wil Mayhew. First touch is imperative as if Jake Sampson, Jesse Stringer and Jared Sampson get too much first use, the match will quickly swing Bulldogs way.
A key issue of recent times has been to get the Bomber best together the same day, recent missing have included Paul Haynes, Jack Kessell, Rob Holmes, Lachlan Ross. Classy players all, but the club depth has been admirable. There is no doubt that Bomber stars Jarden Stoetzer and Adam Braendler will be front and centre of Wirrulla’s chances, and will need constant minding by the ‘Dogs. Up forward look out for Wirrulla’s Shannon Haynes and Truman Hoffrichter, leg speed and marking ability, Shannon leading the League’s goal kicking always causes headaches, he is quick and a deceptively good overhead mark. The run of Dion Pittaway and Ryan Watson on the bigger Poochera Oval will assist quick delivery forward. Defensively the Bombers are efficient, Evan Whillas, Andrew Bitmead and Mark Binder are regular high level performers, and they will test all forward lines. Rowan Chester has fitted well into the Bombers game plan and regularly leading the best these days
Centrals have enjoyed the move of Kane Sampson to defence, likely to challenge for the club best and fairest award again such has been his dominance. Interesting to see where Ty Mc Kenna and Wade O Brien start, both have the flexibility to play key positions back or forward and light up the Bulldogs runners. Jake Bruce back to near his best, playing on a wing and with room to move, his long accurate foot delivery is just devastating. Lachlan Heath run and ball winning ability, Martin Grocke back to regular best player lists, Tommy Freeth very hard to match up on with his agility and size, Clint Winter elusive and Connor Dowden really making giant steps forward this year.
Will be an interesting Thursday at both teams selection table as the match this week poses significant different issues than both teams prior matches.
Interestingly both these sides toppled well fancied Hawks in Grand Finals, Central in 2007 and one year later, Wirrulla in 2008, so a dream of a repeat will live very much in their minds!
The Bulldogs appear more settled in terms of personnel and will start favourite for a Grand Final appointment, Wirrulla for their part know they can do it, but must limit turnovers around the ground, where Centrals convert to score so readily.
Close match up in the Reserves, with West Coast Hawks meeting a surging Western Districts, and on the Tigers home deck, possibly where they play their best football. There is no doubt not having to cater to the whims of an A Grade coaching department plotting an ongoing finals campaign is a huge benefit, and the Tigers know that they can just pick the best qualified players available. The Hawks enjoy a host of fleet footed youth, Tyson Squire, Kyle Tucker leading the way, with seasoned campaigners Dion Trezona Paul Feltus and Simon Tucker keeping the ship steady. The Tigers have Charlie Williams likely to front in two matches, Shard Gosling, Matt Carey, Angus Gunn, Sam Wakefield all in great form. Myles Tomney just improves with age and loves to open spaces of Poochera where his blistering speed and guile come to the fore.
A couple of weeks ago, it looked like no one could stop the Hawks, they would win through to the Grand Final easily, how quickly fortunes change! The Tigers are tipped here to take on the Bombers at Streaky Bay, this should be a classic close reserves Preliminary Final
The Colts final sees the West Coast Hawks matching the Western Districts Tigers. The Hawks have taken all three home and away matches, and boast a tall side with plenty of scoring capacity. Look out for Isaac Galliver, Zac Lovegrove, Jay Johns, all high up in the Hawks best. Zeph Mohi’s run and the strength of Harry Goosay will be hard to contain. Harmyn Baldock plays anywhere and his run on the bigger oval will set up plenty. The Tigers have a host of up and coming stars, Charlie Williams, Steve Brands, Lloyd Raftery, Josh Horgan and Kyson Shepperd, all need big games to challenge the Hawks, but they had a great match against the Roosters.
The bigger bodies of the West Coast Hawks will see them start as favourites in the match.
Big day of football at Poochera, one of the more central venues of the League. Only days left in season 2015, and what a prize on the line, a Grand Final and a crack at ultimate glory!
Last Modified on 25/08/2015 21:37