Five of the six Mid West clubs will be playing in a Grand Final this weekend, with Elliston, the only club missing, but dominating in the netball. It will be a big day, big crowd and wonderful closer for the first year of the new Streaky Bay Sports Complex.
A sense of déjà vu at the business end of the season. West Coast Hawks and Central Eyre do battle for the flag, as in 2013 and 2014. This time around at the Hawks nest. The Hawks have taken all before them in 2015, undefeated and rarely challenged, really only Central Eyre in round four causing too much concern!
On the season, head to head-:
Round Four Hawks by seven points
Round Ten Hawks by twenty three points
Round Fourteen Hawks by sixty one points
Second Semi Final Hawks by twenty seven points
Last outing at the Second Semi witnessed a see-saw battle until the Hawks wrestled control of the match into the last quarter. The sense is that Centrals have continued to build with a convincing win in the Preliminary Final, so expect another battle royale here, if anything the Streaky Bay oval will better suit the ‘dogs.
Paul Evans has taken over the coaching reigns this year from the hugely successful Dillon Montgomerie, and Paul has continued to mould a game plan that features not only a strong defence but quick transition to score. The Hawks are a highly disciplined machine when firing, and that is very regularly. Wade O Brien is in his second year in charge of the Bulldogs, a club legend and respected at all levels of football, he has tried many positional changes during the year before settling on what appears to be his best side. A wonderful midfield and ability to score heavily and quickly, the ‘dogs are well poised for this challenge.
Firstly looking at the Hawks. Big Dylan Kelsh is back, one of the best knock ruckmen on the Eyre Peninsula he has had issues with a problem ankle. A wonderful midfield with options aplenty, Mail Medallist Dillon Montgomerie, Dale Montgomerie, Nick Schumann, Cam Montgomerie, Nathan Woolford, Joe Mc Innis, Toby Hollitt. All have leg speed and highly skilled. Looking forward Jake Mc Evoy is a tower at Centre Half Forward, particularly mobile and difficult to hold. Corey Cabot and Nathan Johnson provide goal scoring prowess and expect the match up of Brent Bascombe and Kane Sampson to be one of the match highlights. Brent kicked five against Kane at an earlier outing, no-one has ever done that before, and quite a dent in the pride of big Kane. Defensively the Hawks have been kings, Damien Johnson, Trav Brown, Kirk Montgomerie, Tyson Montgomerie are so efficient at getting the ball to ground and running it out, rarely missing targets, the ball travels out usually at twice the speed that it comes into their defensive area. Aiden Whitford loves these big games, and will play anywhere, a true utility. Cam Montgomerie in a similar vein, either shutting out a key opponent or taking a lead role himself. No weak spots in the Hawks team and depth within the club means that the reserves grade continues to provide valuable match practice for those needing it.
The ‘Dogs are looming large, the last match has provided them with a valuable extra tune up. Maybe only concern over a knock to Jared Sampson, but otherwise they are ready for this, certainly much better placed than twelve months ago when they were trying to overcome a horror injury run.
Jared will play, and they need him, the 2014 Mail medallist is one of the most silky users of a football in the league. Extremely strong midfield, Jesse Stringer, Jake Sampson in outstanding form, Tyler Chapman, Clint Winter will drive the Bulldogs forward, Jake Bruce looks to be back at his best and his roaming the wings will cause Hawks headaches. Brett Mc Comb and Tim Polkinghorne win their fair share of first taps, Central must capitalise on this. Good to see big unit Wade O Brien back forward, he is a genuine target and will no doubt draw Derick Freeman, the number one Hawks backman for many years. Ty McKenna or Hayden Heath will need to be mobile at centre half forward, and need plenty of runners coming past. Lachlan Heath is back to his best after a short layoff offshore, Martin Grocke loves a final, also in great form. Tom Freeth at Centre half back will provide a big man presence, but his run is also a feature, Keenan Bury has won is position and along with Connor Dowden are not afraid of hard won footballs. Good players on every line.
So who will win? Naturally the Hawks must start a favourite by virtue of their undefeated status, but being undefeated adds pressure. Centrals must get away to a good start, and build doubt in the Hawks, no winning the toss and experimenting kicking against the wind. Perhaps even some verbal suggestions that the pressure is on! Turnovers against the Bulldogs hurt in past games, any nerves resulting in miskicks, missed targets will be swooped upon by the hungry Hawks and the match gone. Both of these teams have finals experience, so must settle quickly into the match.
Yes, it is just too hard to tip against the Hawks this time of year, but expect this one to be close, and Centrals have the firepower to do this.
In the reserves the rampaging Western Districts Tigers will be taking on the seasoned campaigners and reigning premiers, the Wirrulla Bombers. The Bombers lead the competition for most of the year before slipping a couple of late matches, significantly one of these was against the Tigers in the last round. Andrew Patterson at Bomberland is a proud and passionate coach, well experienced at Grand Finals. Allen (Wink) Curtis has taken over the coaching role at the Tigers and had an immediate impact in his first year. Neither side will have pesky A Grade coaching staff interfering at the selection table either. Key players for the Bombers will include Robbie Marshall, Craig Johnson, Shane Pittaway, Quentin Webb, Daryl Lawrie and Shaun Kelsall. Bombers look sharp forward and have the strength around the ground to win contests. The Tigers boast Dylan Beinke, Shard Gosling, Trent Brace, Jesse Hull, Nathan Hebbermann, Charlie Williams, so will have plenty of skill and leg speed. They have teamed well but in Grand Finals a fast start is very desirable, they must be mindful of this, last week the Tigers had to work very hard to get back in to the match after getting behind, the Bombers wont allow this to happen this week!
Hard to pick a clear winner here and a good case can be made for both teams, Perhaps the weeks rest will suit the Wirrulla team, they are reigning premiers and will covet that celebratory feeling. The Tigers have never won a B Grade premiership, the only current club not to do so, so they will have crowd support. Wirrulla should go back to back in a great game.
The Colts see undefeated Wudinna United take on the West Coast Hawks, finishing first and second on the year and a rematch of 2014 Grand Final where the Magpies prevailed. The Maggies only had 74 points scored against them all season, 15 games, and yet the Hawks scored 41 points against them in the second semi, a clear improvement. Wudinna United are coached by Simon Petty, a highly respected figure in Mid West circles, Brenton Goosay leads the young Hawks and will be very pleased with his sides progress this year, his first in the coaching role. The Magpies appear to have an edge in height and weight, the likes of Ian Jericho, Harry Petty, Sam Buckham, Fraser Douglass, Tom Dupree, Adam Jericho, Lewis Haberman, Hugh Walker, all senior footballers with a host of players emerging. The Hawks have some wonderful players also, Harry Goosay, Zak Lovegrove, Isaac Galliver, Jay Johns, Callum and Kyan Saunders, Zeph Mohi, Harmyn Baldock, Mitch Gazzola are classy. Young talent also emerging from the younger ranks and the future looks strong at the Hawks. This time around will be a big assignment though and the Magpies are tipped to go back to back.
Streaky Bay is a great venue, the new courts, change rooms and clubrooms hosting their first major round fixture. Will be a big day of Mid West football, good luck to all sides and in the immortal words of the great man Ron Redford, President of our neighbouring Far West league – “celebrate with dignity”.
Last Modified on 01/09/2015 20:32