GRAND FINAL PREVIEW AND PREDICTION: Under-19s Division One

Image courtesy of Leigh Gazzard

 

Written by Michael Shillito.

UNSW Eastern Suburbs vs. North Shore – Sunday, September 9 at 1.30pm, Blacktown International Sportspark

This year’s AFL Sydney Finals Series has seen quite a rivalry develop between UNSW Eastern Suburbs and North Shore. Sunday’s Grand Final will bring up four divisions in which the teams have faced-off in finals this year. The two clubs have developed a reputation for outstanding development of junior talent, and another chapter in the rise of young footballers will be written when they meet in this Grand Final.

Both clubs have been production lines of talent in recent years, and it’s no surprise that both clubs have risen to the top in Premier Division this season on the back of some outstanding local juniors. Both clubs have given plenty of promising players a taste of senior footy this year.

The Bulldogs have been the dominant team in this division in 2018, dropping just the one game during the home and away season and having a convincing win over St George in the Semi-Final to be first to qualify for the Grand Final.

The Bulldogs’ hopes of a winning score in this match will lie, to a significant degree, on the boot of Charlie Burgess-Hoar. Spearheading the Bulldog charge on the forward line, a return of 51 goals this season has been a strong reward for effort. Jack Sorenson will also put his hand up on the forward line to make a contribution on the scoreboard.

There’s no shortage of winners around the ground. Errol Gulden and Harrison Dyson have played some senior footy this year and will use that knowledge and experience back in their age division. Some good talent all over the ground will be looking to press their case for senior selection in years to come.

After a slow start to the year, North Shore picked up their momentum as the season went on. Finishing with a 13-4 record, the Bombers missed out on the double-chance on percentage. But they found some strong form in the finals, defeating Sydney University and St George to make it through to the Grand Final, the fifth year in a row they have been there in this division.

For the Bombers to kick a winning score, they will need solid contributions from Nick Hill and Oscar Bird. Both go into the game with some impressive form under their belt, and the Bulldog defenders will have a job on their hands to keep them quiet.

Adam Bastas and Doug Bolger have done some impressive work around the ground this season, and the Bombers will again be calling on them to pick up plenty of the ball. Rory Barkley, after a taste of senior footy this season, has hit his best form during the finals and will be keen to carry that momentum into the premiership decider.

The two teams met three times during the home and away season, and the Bulldogs took the points on all three occasions. A 51-point win at Kanebridge Oval in Round 2 was followed by a 13-point result at Henson Park in Round 11 and a 37-point margin at Blacktown in Round 15.

Having done it three times already, the Bulldogs will go into this game knowing they have what it takes to beat the Bombers. But the Bombers have hit their best form of the season in recent weeks, and have some winning momentum behind them.

It’s the third time in four years that the two teams have played in the Grand Final in this division. The Bombers took home the silverware in 2015 and 2016. There won’t be much in this one, and the Bombers will be tough opponents for the Bulldogs. This could be an absolute thriller, but should be third time lucky for the Bulldogs.

Prediction – UNSW Eastern Suburbs by one point.

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