It’s finals time for the East Gippsland Football Netball League, with two big days of action planned for this weekend.
Saturday is qualifying final day at Lucknow, with a ticket to the grand final awaiting the victor.
Premiership favourite, Boisdale Briagolong and Lindenow will go head-to-head, with the smaller ground probably suiting the Cats, who don’t have the leg speed of the Bombers, but they have a strong forward set up, which includes Jake Richards, Logan Dunkley, and Peter Harrison, who will test the Bomber backs if the ball comes in long and fast.
Their engine room of David Donchi and Justin Gould are experts at getting their hands on the ball first, and if they can get it into the hands of good finishers like Cameron McPhan regularly, the Cats might kick enough goals to win.
The Bombers’ midfield is littered with class and excellent ball users like Tom Jolly, Kade Renooy, Ben Brunt, Kelvin Porter and Jackson Glenane, who will create quality entries for Jimmy Reeves and Matt Wilkinson.
The Cats are going in with a full list to pick from, although their are some concerns over a leg injury to Jake Richards.
Boisdale look likely to play both Matt Wilkinson and number one ruck option, Andrew McKenzie, despite both having missed a lot of football in the second phase of the season.
Dion Grace and Richards are formidable ruck combination; the Bombers will need to risk McKenzie and his troublesome hamstring probably a week earlier than is ideal.
Boisdale Briagolong co-coach, Sam Bedggood is expecting a tough physical contest and won’t be underestimating his opponent, who have match winners all over the ground.
“Their forward line is very dangerous and an area we will need to stop. Pressure on the kicker going inside 50 will be the key to that,” Bedggood said.
On Sunday, Wy Yung and Orbost Snowy Rovers will battle it out in a sudden death preliminary final at the Bairnsdale City Oval.
The Tigers are the reigning premiers, but will go into the contest having lost the last three home and away games, losing to the Orbost Snowy Rovers, Boisdale Briagolong and Lakes Entrance.
That doesn’t concern Wy Yung coach, Brodie Anderson.
“We have played some quality opposition, outscored every opponent in the final quarter and the total losing margin of 23 points in those three games,” Anderson said.
“We have played around with our squad and tactically over that period, managed some players over the last few weeks, our focus has been clearly targeted at Sunday.
“We’re here now, the group is excited for another finals series and we’re aware that results start to matter now.”
There are several injury concerns at Tigerland, but Anderson is keeping them close to his chest.
It will be interesting to see if Wy Yung play Brad Daniel, who has been out since round 12 with a knee injury.
Norm Betts has been a positive inclusion in recent weeks, and is set to be a key player.
The Blues are likely to go in with a similar side to last week, with their injuries all long term.
They too have benefitted from the positive integration of Byron Vickery, Max Welsh and Charlie Mein in the second half of the year.
Only two points separated the side three weeks ago at Lochiel Park, but the perception is that the Tigers are more suited to the big ground, which has been a knock on the Blues in recent seasons.
Orbost Snowy Rovers co-coach, Brett Morrison thinks the Blues have done a pretty good job of addressing that area of the game in recent times, adding youngsters like Bobby Bills and Finn Donnellan.
“Obviously the big ground suits their spread, we will be need to be patient and pick our way through it,” Morrison said.
The Blues beat Boisdale Briagolong in last year’s preliminary final by four points, and they will be hoping for a similar result this time around, over last year’s king.
