matchwinner
Team Captain
As expected, Macleod are an easy target after again making it to the 'last dance' and having that question mark hanging over their heads from previous seasons. Lets be honest, it's easy to criticise but most of us would love to be in their position and having a crack at the major prize and what everyone plays for. So full credit to them. (although looking at the weather forecast for Saturday it's not going to be too bad being on the other side of the fence smashing a few cans either!!!)
Credit also to Whittlesea who have made it through after much criticism about the way they do things.
Looking at the game, Whittlesea's advantage is that they are a hard working side who are fairly even across the board, with no real stars that they rely on (especially with Murray out). They rotate heavily off the bench and through half forward, the wings and half back, trying to maintain fresh runners across the ground. I would also play Page predominantly across half back and try to cut off attacking moves to Lynch, Corr and Ewart.
Whittlesea's lack of stars may also be their disdvantage tho, as they come up against a team full of them - Shaw, Cottier, Corr, Bennett (x2), Lynch, Ewart, Andrew, the under rated Lovett, etc.
Will be important for Macleod to get off to a good start and stamp their mark on the contest early and put to bed any question marks that may be in the back of their minds (particularly for those players who have been involved in previous grand finals).
Watching their Semi final, Macleod finished without 2 key players who suffered injuries - Ewart and Andrew. Is there any word on how they have come up as they will be important in deciding the outcome of this game???
If Macleod can stop Nixon and Buhagiar, they will go a long way to drying up Whittlesea's scoring options.
I think if Macleod play to their potential, they have too much class and should be too strong for Whittlesea. For me, Macleod by 42 points.
Credit also to Whittlesea who have made it through after much criticism about the way they do things.
Looking at the game, Whittlesea's advantage is that they are a hard working side who are fairly even across the board, with no real stars that they rely on (especially with Murray out). They rotate heavily off the bench and through half forward, the wings and half back, trying to maintain fresh runners across the ground. I would also play Page predominantly across half back and try to cut off attacking moves to Lynch, Corr and Ewart.
Whittlesea's lack of stars may also be their disdvantage tho, as they come up against a team full of them - Shaw, Cottier, Corr, Bennett (x2), Lynch, Ewart, Andrew, the under rated Lovett, etc.
Will be important for Macleod to get off to a good start and stamp their mark on the contest early and put to bed any question marks that may be in the back of their minds (particularly for those players who have been involved in previous grand finals).
Watching their Semi final, Macleod finished without 2 key players who suffered injuries - Ewart and Andrew. Is there any word on how they have come up as they will be important in deciding the outcome of this game???
If Macleod can stop Nixon and Buhagiar, they will go a long way to drying up Whittlesea's scoring options.
I think if Macleod play to their potential, they have too much class and should be too strong for Whittlesea. For me, Macleod by 42 points.
