WEEK TWO FINALS PREVIEW – Men’s Premier Division

 

Article by Michael Shillito

 

With the AFL Sydney Premier Division finals in full swing, the action is heating up. Only four teams remain – for one it will be their last game of the season, and for another, the first spot in the Grand Final is up for grabs.

 

SECOND SEMI FINAL 

DETAILS

Who – Sydney University vs. North Shore Bombers

When – Saturday, 2 September 2017 at 4pm

Where – Blacktown International Sportspark

Entry – $10 at the gate (free if under 16 years old)

 

HEAD TO HEAD

Round 3

North Shore Bombers – 2.1 7.3 11.6 14.8 (92)

Sydney University – 1.3 4.5 5.9 10.12 (72)

Round 10

Sydney University – 4.1 7.1 9.3 12.6 (78)

North Shore Bombers – 1.5 2.8 9.12 10.14 (74)

  

The prize for the winner of this game is a place on AFL Sydney’s biggest stage, the Grand Final. This will be a high-stakes encounter and you can expect both sides to play a hard and intense style of football.

The Students finished with the Minor Premiership after a remarkable season for the blue and gold hoops. They hit the top of the ladder early in the year and never looked like losing their place.

However, they may go into this game feeling a bit under-done. Thanks to a horrific injury, which caused their game to be cut short in Round 17, a bye in Round 18, and a week off last week, the Students have only had about 20 minutes of competitive footy in the last three weeks. They have been training hard in that time, but there is no substitute for competitive match play and they will be hungry to get back out onto the field.

The Students have benefited from the experience of NEAFL-listed players such as Matt Vicic and Oscar Osborne, being regulars in their Premier Division team. However, they have also developed some outstanding young talent. Keep your eye out for Will Stratford and Harry Morrison, two Rising Star nominees who have made a strong impression in Premier Division in 2017 and will be looking to continue that form at the business end of the year.

Their opponents will be North Shore. The Bombers have been impressive this season and in last week’s Qualifying Final, they comprehensively outplayed UNSW Eastern Suburbs to win comfortably. They missed the Grand Final by one game last year, and this is a great opportunity for them to go one better in 2017.

Harry Carr was a star for the Bombers last week, taking control of the forward line to kick six goals. He will be back in action this weekend, and the Sydney University defenders will need to work hard to keep him quiet.

Young guns Sam Barkley and Andrew McConnell have had break-out years in the Premier Division and with their skill and enthusiasm for the contest, they look set to be part of the North Shore lineup for many years to come.

The last time Sydney University was in the Grand Final in 2010, while the Bombers are looking to break a Grand Final drought stretching back to 2007. One of these teams will see a welcome return to the big stage, but the other will have to play off next week.

The Students and the Bombers met twice this season. North Shore had a good win at Mortgage Choice Oval in Round Three. The return game at Sydney University No. 1 Oval in Round 10, was one of the best games in the Premier Division this year, with a last-minute goal getting the Students over the line.

This game has the makings of another classic.

 

FIRST SEMI FINAL

DETAILS

Who – UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs vs. Pennant Hills Demons

When – Sunday, 3 September 2017 at 2.10pm

Where – Blacktown International Sportspark

Entry – $10 at the gate (free if under 16 years old)

 

HEAD TO HEAD

Round 4

UNSW Eastern Suburbs – 6.2 9.3 11.4 15.7 (97)

Pennant Hills Demons – 2.3 4.3 6.9 10.11 (71)

Round 15

Pennant Hills Demons – 5.3 9.5 12.9 15.12 (102)

UNSW Eastern Suburbs – 2.0 3.5 3.6 6.7 (43)

 

It is the sudden death zone, and there is no margin for error. For UNSW Eastern Suburbs and Pennant Hills, every kick, tackle and play is critical. There will not be much separating the two sides in this game, but one of these teams will finish their season on Sunday afternoon.

The rise of the Bulldogs has been a feature of the 2017 season. For many weeks, they were matching it with the ladder-leading Sydney University, before falling behind late in the season. They looked to be back on track with a big win over North Shore in the last round, but finals are a whole new ball game. The Bulldogs were unable to repeat that performance last week when the Bombers turned the tables on the boys from the East.

Keep an eye on Tom Banuelos. The young Bulldog has established himself as a Premier Division regular this season. He is reliable and is often featured among the Bulldogs’ best.

Playing coach Steven Pollock did not have a great game last week, but he will be desperate to lead by example with his team in a sudden-death clash. Finally, the ever-reliable Jake McLean will again look to keep opposition players on their toes.

For Pennant Hills, much of 2017 had been a struggle to find their best form. The Demons however, have finally found momentum running their way during the time of the season when it matters most. Last Sunday’s Elimination Final saw the Demons at their dominant best, turning up the skills and pressure when the rain set in, and leaving St George in their wake through the second half.

Nick Hey was outstanding on the forward line last week, kicking six goals for the Demons in a best-on-ground performance.

Keep watch for experienced warriors, Aaron Crisfield and Ranga Ediriwickrama, who have an impressive record over many years of delivering when the Demons need to produce a result.

The two sides have split their meetings this year. The Bulldogs had a win at Henson Park early in the season, establishing their credentials as genuine finals challengers. At Mike Kenny Oval in Round 15, when the Demons’ finals chances were looking shaky, the Demons reversed that result and recorded a percentage-boosting win.

Over the course of the season, the Bulldogs have been a strong team, but their form has not been great in recent weeks with just one win in their last five games.

The Demons had been in trouble earlier in the year, but form is now running their way. However, every week is a new challenge. With no second chance and elimination on the cards for the loser, this clash should go down to the wire, and it will not be easy to predict who is going to stay alive.