A stunning weekend of finals football in the Community Football League and Women's competitions has set up an exciting line-up of Preliminary Finals in Canberra.
by Caden Helmers, AFL Canberra Journalist
VIEW FULL MATCH DAY RECORD HERE
One of the form teams in Canberra collides with a side many expected to go all the way in Third Grade, whilst a stunning upset in Fourth Grade has left the competition favourites still fighting for a Grand Final berth.
The Regional Grade has served up a David and Goliath battle, with one of the competition heavyweights taking on a surprise packet.
Women's Grade action sees the Division One reigning premiers take on a side they fell short against last time around, whilst a Division Two side looks to secure their second straight Grand Final berth against a fierce rival.
It is now do-or-die for every remaining club in the race to be crowned the competition's best in September.
Community Football League – Third Grade
Preliminary Final: ANU Griffins vs ADFA/RMC Rams
A stellar run of form in the back end of the season has seen the Rams move to within one game of a Grand Final appearance against Woden. The Rams are without a doubt the form team of the competition, having disposed of Woden and Molonglo with ease over the past three weeks. It was the Griffins that prevailed in the last encounter between these two sides, their second win over the Rams from three attempts in 2015. This clash could go either way, but ADFA/RMC’s late-season surge has them riding a wave of momentum deep in to the finals.
Community Football League – Fourth Grade
Preliminary Final: Harman Hogs vs ADFA/RMC Rams
ANU stunned Harman in Week One of the finals, handing the minor premiers their third loss for the season to leave them fighting for a spot in the big dance. A big loss at the hands of the Griffins may be the wake-up call that the Hogs needed to take it up a notch, but the Rams won’t roll over, having only dropped one game in six weeks. Last time they met, Harman collected the spoils by three goals. Expect a similar story this weekend, with Harman set to learn from their mistakes in the Major Semi-Final to set-up a rematch with the Griffins.
Community Football League – Regional Grade
Preliminary Final: Cootamundra Blues vs Cooma Cats
Cootamundra fell agonisingly short of securing a Grand Final appearance against Goulburn, going down by a mere two points. Cooma come in to the clash having beaten Yass in the Minor Semi-Final by fifteen points. The two sides have met three times this season, with the Blues having collected the points on all three occasions. It would take a monumental effort for the Cats to knock over the competition heavyweights, and only the bravest of punters would write off Cootamundra after the season they have enjoyed.
Women’s Grade – Division One
Preliminary Final: Tuggeranong Hawks vs Eastlake Demons
Tuggeranong missed out on cementing their place in the Grand Final after suffering a nail-biting one-point loss at the hands of the Riverina Lions. The reigning premiers will now suit up for a do-or-die clash against the Demons. Eastlake come in to the Division One Preliminary Final having completed a comprehensive 81-point victory over Belconnen in the Minor Semi-Final. The Demons got the better of the competition favourites just under three weeks ago. This one is guaranteed to go down to the wire.
Women’s Grade – Division Two
Preliminary Final: Ainslie Tricolours vs Molonglo Juggernauts
Molonglo will be looking to clinch their second consecutive Grand Final berth in a massive sudden death clash this weekend. Ainslie fell victim to a Queanbeyan onslaught in Week One of the finals, whilst Molonglo cruised to an eight-goal victory against ANU. The Juggernauts claimed the spoils by six points in the last clash between these two rivals, and have not dropped a game since the Grade was split in to two divisions. Big game experience will come in handy for Molonglo, and may just give them the edge.
VIEW FULL MATCH DAY RECORD HERE
Photo courtesy of ANU Griffins website www.anuafc.com.au
Last Modified on 28/08/2015 14:14