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It's week two of the Season 15 finals series, where we travel to Abdu Prison for what looked like the least likely scenario, in the minor premiers Baghdad hosting the fourth-placed Fighting Furies in a do-or-die Preliminary Final to decide who meets West Coast at The Colosseum in next week's Grand Final.
Led by first-year captain beez, the Bombers will desperately look to make amends for last week's two-point loss at home to the Wonders. They've been comfortably the most consistent of the top four teams this year, finishing first as a result, and will be searching for their second Grand Final in as many seasons after defeating Mount Buller in the ultimate Season 14 match.
The Furies, on the other hand, have shrugged off a lapse throughout the middle of the season that saw multiple captaincy changes and consistently below-par performances, but with Filthy Sanchez at the helm, the Colonel has taken them to four straight victories in the lead up to this week, matching the blistering standard they set early in the year, and despite it taking to the last week to lock in a finals spot, there's no way that they can be underestimated.
The Stat My B*tch Up Report
Who can perform
Gee Dub. Baghdad's best midfielder this year, comfortably. A tackling and clearance machine, the vice captain is the central force driving the Bombers' contested work this year, averaging 80 Exie points per game, but he lifts that to 95 when he plays the Furies. He knows how to combat the wave of midfielders that the Furies bring to the table and his performance is key.
bipolarbeaR. The half-forward who joined midway through the season had an immediate impact, kicking 10 goals from 9 games as well as averaging 14 disposals per match. He doesn't particularly have more of an impact on the scoreboard but wins plenty of the footy leading around the forward 50 and will provide essential delivery to the Bombers' forwards.
Who needs to
okeydoke7. He's kicked 2.4 from two games against the Furies. It ain't a good stat for one of the proudest and most accredited forwards in the competition. He consistently hits the scoreboard for 3 or 4 a game, and he needs to hit that level once again for the Bombers to become a good chance.
saintkildaman. The nugget in and around the packs in saintkildaman enjoyed a good year despite a three-match suspension early on, maintaining consistent form and good tackle numbers. However, 12 disposals per game against the Furies for someone who should be winning much more is disappointing, and he'll need to lift to help support and supply his fellow midfielders.
Who can perform
Grockadoc. Playing second fiddle to EagleOz is of no worry to Grockadoc, who has enjoyed a fine season to create the best on-ball one-two punch in the league. He averages 18 disposals and 5 tackles a game, as well as 20 goals for the season (16th in the league), but shines more so against the Bombers, especially on the scoreboard, kicking two goals in both clashes this year. He's had a fantastic year and after easing himself through last week, he's primed for a huge game.
mcuzzy. The half-back has had a solid and consistent season providing both defensive and offensive pressure, but has made a mark on occasion as a swingman who can play forward and hit the scoreboard, and he did so back in Round 7 against the Bombers, kicking three goals as one of their best. He's one of those middle-rung players that won't stand out but has the capability to do something special and game-lifting, and can prove to make a difference.
Who needs to
Eagleoz83. Arguably the favourite for the Mobbenfuhrer Medal is the superstar midfielder and the Furies' best performer throughout the season...except against the Bombers. The on-baller averages 92 Exie points per game this season, the best in the league, but it drops to 78 whenever he plays Baghdad, his worst. He managed 9 disposals and 9 tackles back in Round 7 and 24 disposals but little else in Round 14, and it's also worth noting that they were two of his four goalless games this year, so he needs to break the defensive shackles that the Bombers apply.
Equus. Former captain, former leader and formerly a decent player whenever he comes up against the Bombers. He's a gapfilling versatile player who you can slot anywhere and expect him to perform, but with a contest against the Bombers comes a monkey on the back, a total of 21 disposals, 1 goal and 73 Exie points from the two games. He's the type of player that the younger ones will look to for guidance and example, and he needs to offer both.
The Summary
The Bombers have impressed all year, finding depth when their stars haven't performed and blowing teams away when they have, and finished first as such.
However, the Furies will come in with nothing to lose. Their midfield overwhelms others and I think they might just steal it.
Furies by ten points
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Teams in at 9pm Friday, game simmed Monday, all that crap.
