-
LIVE: Sydney v Port Adelaide - 7:40 / 7:10 Fri
Squiggle tips Swans at 57% chance -- What's your tip? -- Teams on Thurs »
-
LIVE: Geelong v Brisbane Lions - 7:30PM Sat
Squiggle tips Cats at 54% chance -- What's your tip? -- Teams on Thurs »
-
Weekly Prize - Join Any Time - Tip Prelim Finals
The Golden Ticket - MCG and Marvel Medallion Club tickets and Corporate Box tickets at the Gabba, MCG and Marvel.
Round SF Winner: And_ROOS
-
AFLW 2024 - Round 4 - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
RDFL Thread - 2012
- Thread starter Itsmyshow
- Start date
- Tagged users None
- Status
Great effort by the three umpires today they didn't miss a thing best three umpires in the competition
Aker Magic
Rookie
Agree- definately 3 best men in orange out there. Especially the bald one who looks like the AFL ump Scott McLaren! Just on the umps, bad luck to the Iceman who did his hammy on Sat. Speaking to a couple of his counterparts, he was doing enough to run a gf next week. Its been a while since I've been to a game in this league prior to this year but the quality of footy has gone up a notch or three.
Whatsdoing
Debutant
- Aug 22, 2012
- 83
- 9
- AFL Club
- Geelong
Sunbury to have a good win this week.
His name is Tim and he is one of the best umpires at this level in Victories, I think his son plays at Riddell
Mongrel
Cancelled
I agree the standard of umpiring on saturday was first class. The three umpires you were referring to are Reece Noble, Cameron Black and Tim Rath
Yes it has Aker, the inclusions of a quality coach like Jamie Elliott & players like Brent Tuckey are only going to improve the RDFL, the standard has lifted rapidly in the last five years with quality players coming into the comp, clubs are working hard on & off the field to find the $ to improve the list, thats the way footy is these days, clubs need people who are motivated & willing to work hard to develope their clubs. Conratulations to everyone at Macedon, after all the rain we have had this year, they did a mighty job to get the ground up to finals standard, obvoiusly a club well run.
thisiswhatisaid
Debutant
- Jan 11, 2011
- 74
- 3
- AFL Club
- Essendon
Was looking at the Bowen votes on the net three of the top 4 are originally from Craigieburn.
FairSuckoftheSav
Rookie
I was only thinking the other day, the amount of very good players that have left Craigieburn over the past 10 years is massive. I think if they had held on to a lot of those, they would be a top 4 EDFL premier division club, not one that has just been relegated to division 2.
Itsmyshow
Moderator
- Thread starter
- Moderator
- #935
Buffalo Sports Under 18.5 Grand Final
Wallan Magpies Vs Riddell Bombers - Sunday 9.30am.
The Under 18.5 Grand Final for 2012 promises to be a ripping contest between two sides stacked with future RDFL senior talent.
Wallan finished the season in 4th position after a solid regular season where many of the list was in and out of the senior side. In the first elimination final, the Magpies put on a powerful display against local rivals Broadford, they defeated the Roos by 45 points after leading by as much as 70 points in the 3rd quarter. Josh Barber and Rhys Frost both kicked 4 goals for the Magpies on the day, while Luke Bird was named as the Magpies best player. With this win, combined with a loss to Macedon in the other elimination final, the Magpies won through to the Qualifying Final, earning a 2nd week double chance and a shot at direct entry to the Grand Final.
In the 2nd week of Finals, the Magpies faced Sunbury for the right to play off in the Grand Final, the game at Kilmore was hot from the first bounce, the Kangaroos threatened to break away several times before half time, but the Magpies kept hanging in, giving themselves every opportunity, every time the Kangaroos threatened, the Magpies hit back, taking a narrow lead into every change before breaking away early in the final term and never looking back. Again it was Rhys Frost who led the way for the Magpies booting 6 goals in a best on ground performance and ably supported by Luke Bird again. The win would see the Magpies qualify for the biggest day of the year, RDFL Grand Final day.
Players to Watch: Rhys Frost, Josh Barber, Adam Suban
Riddell finished the season as minor premiers after dropping only one game for the year. The Bombers were irresistible during the regular season and this was despite many of their list playing senior football.
In the first final, the Bombers met the 2nd place Sunbury Kangaroos at Kilmore, the Bombers got away to a fast start booting 5 first quarter goals, but fell away after quarter time despite the best efforts of Thomas Keaney and Harrison Taylor and were defeated by the Kangaroos by 23 points, forcing them to take the long way to the Grand Final.
In the 2nd week of Finals, the Bombers faced a confident Kilmore side who the week before had disposed of the 3rd placed Macedon. The Bombers were on the back foot early as Kilmore played some excellent football, but a 7 goal 2nd term would set up a comfortable 50 point win and the opportunity to play off in the Preliminary Final. Matthew Darby was exceptional up forward for the Bombers, booting 4 goals and being named the best player on the ground.
In the Preliminary Final, the Bombers once again faced the Sunbury Kangaroos and would this time extract revenge on the loss in the first week. The game was in the balance right up until 3 quarter time when the Bombers were able to open up a lead early that was never pegged back and get the win by 25 points. The Bombers best player on the day was Lachlan Mosele who was again well supported by midfielder Harrison Taylor.
Players to watch: Matthew Darby, Harrison Taylor, Darcy Bedgood
So we head into this weeks contest with both sides evenly poised, as has been seen as a regular occurrence in local football, regular season dominance doesn't always translate into finals dominance, the Bombers have been able to bounce back strongly from the loss in the first week and are lead brilliantly by Glenn Elliott, they play an exciting and attacking brand of football and have a forward 50 stacked with talent led by Matt Darby and a hard working and skilful midfielder in Harrison Taylor. The Magpies have plenty of talent across the field and will look to play a similar style to previous weeks, moving the ball quickly inside forward 50 and trying to get Barber and Frost in one on one contests.
This game will be a fantastic way to kick off the day.
Riddell by 18 points.
Wallan Magpies Vs Riddell Bombers - Sunday 9.30am.
The Under 18.5 Grand Final for 2012 promises to be a ripping contest between two sides stacked with future RDFL senior talent.
Wallan finished the season in 4th position after a solid regular season where many of the list was in and out of the senior side. In the first elimination final, the Magpies put on a powerful display against local rivals Broadford, they defeated the Roos by 45 points after leading by as much as 70 points in the 3rd quarter. Josh Barber and Rhys Frost both kicked 4 goals for the Magpies on the day, while Luke Bird was named as the Magpies best player. With this win, combined with a loss to Macedon in the other elimination final, the Magpies won through to the Qualifying Final, earning a 2nd week double chance and a shot at direct entry to the Grand Final.
In the 2nd week of Finals, the Magpies faced Sunbury for the right to play off in the Grand Final, the game at Kilmore was hot from the first bounce, the Kangaroos threatened to break away several times before half time, but the Magpies kept hanging in, giving themselves every opportunity, every time the Kangaroos threatened, the Magpies hit back, taking a narrow lead into every change before breaking away early in the final term and never looking back. Again it was Rhys Frost who led the way for the Magpies booting 6 goals in a best on ground performance and ably supported by Luke Bird again. The win would see the Magpies qualify for the biggest day of the year, RDFL Grand Final day.
Players to Watch: Rhys Frost, Josh Barber, Adam Suban
Riddell finished the season as minor premiers after dropping only one game for the year. The Bombers were irresistible during the regular season and this was despite many of their list playing senior football.
In the first final, the Bombers met the 2nd place Sunbury Kangaroos at Kilmore, the Bombers got away to a fast start booting 5 first quarter goals, but fell away after quarter time despite the best efforts of Thomas Keaney and Harrison Taylor and were defeated by the Kangaroos by 23 points, forcing them to take the long way to the Grand Final.
In the 2nd week of Finals, the Bombers faced a confident Kilmore side who the week before had disposed of the 3rd placed Macedon. The Bombers were on the back foot early as Kilmore played some excellent football, but a 7 goal 2nd term would set up a comfortable 50 point win and the opportunity to play off in the Preliminary Final. Matthew Darby was exceptional up forward for the Bombers, booting 4 goals and being named the best player on the ground.
In the Preliminary Final, the Bombers once again faced the Sunbury Kangaroos and would this time extract revenge on the loss in the first week. The game was in the balance right up until 3 quarter time when the Bombers were able to open up a lead early that was never pegged back and get the win by 25 points. The Bombers best player on the day was Lachlan Mosele who was again well supported by midfielder Harrison Taylor.
Players to watch: Matthew Darby, Harrison Taylor, Darcy Bedgood
So we head into this weeks contest with both sides evenly poised, as has been seen as a regular occurrence in local football, regular season dominance doesn't always translate into finals dominance, the Bombers have been able to bounce back strongly from the loss in the first week and are lead brilliantly by Glenn Elliott, they play an exciting and attacking brand of football and have a forward 50 stacked with talent led by Matt Darby and a hard working and skilful midfielder in Harrison Taylor. The Magpies have plenty of talent across the field and will look to play a similar style to previous weeks, moving the ball quickly inside forward 50 and trying to get Barber and Frost in one on one contests.
This game will be a fantastic way to kick off the day.
Riddell by 18 points.
Itsmyshow
Moderator
- Thread starter
- Moderator
- #936
Simonds Homes Reserve Grand Final
Riddell Bombers Vs Diggers Rest Burra - Sunday 12.00PM
The Reserves Grand Final in 2012 allows us to witness the two best teams in the competition all season face off for the ultimate glory.
Riddell had an outstanding season once again in the Reserves competition in 2012, an excellent balance between youth and experience saw the group now known as the "Bombencheros" finish the season in second place only one win behind the Burra. This saw them face the Burra in the first week of finals in the Qualifying Final at Kilmore. The Bombers line up was stacked with talent including Mick Allen, Glen Robertson and Ricky Elliott and despite a tight first quarter, the Bombers got on top early and broke the game apart in the 2nd quarter as Troy Mariner continually found himself in space and put scoreboard pressure on the Burra, they continued on their way in the 2nd half as they booted 5 last quarter goals to defeat the Burra comfortably by 47 points, Joel Morrison was the Bombers best on the day with Mariner booting 4 goals. This win would see the Bombers into the 2nd Semi Final, with a double chance and a shot at direct entry into the Grand Final.
In the 2nd Semi Final, the Bombers faced the Redbacks for a shot at Grand Final glory, after a tight first quarter, the Bombers kicked into gear again after quarter time, effectively putting the game to bed, Mick Allen was dominant on the ball and up forward and booting 5 goals for the game, while Daniel Jurczyluc was outstanding on the wing as the Bombers ran out 63 point winners and into the Reserves Grand Final for 2012.
Players to Watch: Daniel Jurczyluc, M.Vandenberg, K.North.
The Burra were the outstanding team of the regular season, they dropped only one game on the way to the minor premiership, they had the Scarborough Medalist in Rhys Hannan and the Runner Up in Chris Payne, much like the senior side, the Burra were the raging favorite heading into this years finals series.
The first week of finals didn't exactly work out the way the Burra had planned though, the match up at Kilmore against the Bombers would see the Burra drop the game and have to take the long road to Grand Final day. On that day it was Hannan that was the Burras best player as he tried to keep his team in the game, but he lacked support in all areas of the ground as the Bombers controlled the contest.
In week 2 of the finals, the Burra faced long time rivals the Sunbury Kangaroos in the 1st Semi Final, an elimination final that, like the remainder of the finals series for the Burra, was a must win. After a tight first half, the Burra put on the afterburners in the 2nd half, booting 13 goals to 2 to record a 91 point win, Payne booted 6 and McKay 5, while James Sheahan was best on ground.
This win set up a match between the Burra and the Redbacks to mirror the senior contest and the game was a corker, while the Burra looked in control for most of the day, the Redbacks kept on coming, but the result was a credit to the fighting spirit of the Burra who got a 9 point win, the concern for the Burra is that Chris Payne was held goalless for the 2nd time in 3 games, he will need a big performance this week.
Players to watch: Chris Payne, Rhys Hannan, David Bourne
This will be a cracking curtain raiser to the senior game, the best two teams in the Reserves competition in 2012 facing off in the Grand Final, both sides stacked with talent and both sides likely to have returning stars from the Senior teams, Levi Moss, Glenn Robertson, Rob Henry, Matt Baird and Andrew McCabe are all available for the Bombers (I think), whilst for the Burra, Jack Sheahan, Tom Gleeson, Lindsay Black and Steve Fogarty are all likely to be available from the senior side last week.
The Bombers will be looking to pick apart the Burra defense much like the first week of finals, isolating their forward stars in one on one contests and not allowing the Burra defense to drop off and help out, they will look to own the centre of the ground not allowing the Burra easy ball through the middle.
The Burra will be looking to spread and run, when they run and carry the football there are not many sides in the Reserves competition that can go with them, on the big Lancefield ground, there will be plenty of space for the Burra smalls to work into to provide options and plenty of room for Payne to get one on ones with his opponent.
Diggers Rest by 14 points.
Riddell Bombers Vs Diggers Rest Burra - Sunday 12.00PM
The Reserves Grand Final in 2012 allows us to witness the two best teams in the competition all season face off for the ultimate glory.
Riddell had an outstanding season once again in the Reserves competition in 2012, an excellent balance between youth and experience saw the group now known as the "Bombencheros" finish the season in second place only one win behind the Burra. This saw them face the Burra in the first week of finals in the Qualifying Final at Kilmore. The Bombers line up was stacked with talent including Mick Allen, Glen Robertson and Ricky Elliott and despite a tight first quarter, the Bombers got on top early and broke the game apart in the 2nd quarter as Troy Mariner continually found himself in space and put scoreboard pressure on the Burra, they continued on their way in the 2nd half as they booted 5 last quarter goals to defeat the Burra comfortably by 47 points, Joel Morrison was the Bombers best on the day with Mariner booting 4 goals. This win would see the Bombers into the 2nd Semi Final, with a double chance and a shot at direct entry into the Grand Final.
In the 2nd Semi Final, the Bombers faced the Redbacks for a shot at Grand Final glory, after a tight first quarter, the Bombers kicked into gear again after quarter time, effectively putting the game to bed, Mick Allen was dominant on the ball and up forward and booting 5 goals for the game, while Daniel Jurczyluc was outstanding on the wing as the Bombers ran out 63 point winners and into the Reserves Grand Final for 2012.
Players to Watch: Daniel Jurczyluc, M.Vandenberg, K.North.
The Burra were the outstanding team of the regular season, they dropped only one game on the way to the minor premiership, they had the Scarborough Medalist in Rhys Hannan and the Runner Up in Chris Payne, much like the senior side, the Burra were the raging favorite heading into this years finals series.
The first week of finals didn't exactly work out the way the Burra had planned though, the match up at Kilmore against the Bombers would see the Burra drop the game and have to take the long road to Grand Final day. On that day it was Hannan that was the Burras best player as he tried to keep his team in the game, but he lacked support in all areas of the ground as the Bombers controlled the contest.
In week 2 of the finals, the Burra faced long time rivals the Sunbury Kangaroos in the 1st Semi Final, an elimination final that, like the remainder of the finals series for the Burra, was a must win. After a tight first half, the Burra put on the afterburners in the 2nd half, booting 13 goals to 2 to record a 91 point win, Payne booted 6 and McKay 5, while James Sheahan was best on ground.
This win set up a match between the Burra and the Redbacks to mirror the senior contest and the game was a corker, while the Burra looked in control for most of the day, the Redbacks kept on coming, but the result was a credit to the fighting spirit of the Burra who got a 9 point win, the concern for the Burra is that Chris Payne was held goalless for the 2nd time in 3 games, he will need a big performance this week.
Players to watch: Chris Payne, Rhys Hannan, David Bourne
This will be a cracking curtain raiser to the senior game, the best two teams in the Reserves competition in 2012 facing off in the Grand Final, both sides stacked with talent and both sides likely to have returning stars from the Senior teams, Levi Moss, Glenn Robertson, Rob Henry, Matt Baird and Andrew McCabe are all available for the Bombers (I think), whilst for the Burra, Jack Sheahan, Tom Gleeson, Lindsay Black and Steve Fogarty are all likely to be available from the senior side last week.
The Bombers will be looking to pick apart the Burra defense much like the first week of finals, isolating their forward stars in one on one contests and not allowing the Burra defense to drop off and help out, they will look to own the centre of the ground not allowing the Burra easy ball through the middle.
The Burra will be looking to spread and run, when they run and carry the football there are not many sides in the Reserves competition that can go with them, on the big Lancefield ground, there will be plenty of space for the Burra smalls to work into to provide options and plenty of room for Payne to get one on ones with his opponent.
Diggers Rest by 14 points.
Itsmyshow
Moderator
- Thread starter
- Moderator
- #937
Harrison Hyundai Senior Grand Final
Sunbury Kangaroos Vs Romsey
It's been 12 months, plenty has happened around the league on all levels, every team in the competition has had an overhaul, but with all the changes, this years Grand Final takes us back to the same time last year, the Sunbury Kangaroos head into the home change rooms after winning the 2nd Semi Final in a great contest at Kyneton, whilst the Redbacks head into the visitors rooms again this year after needing to qualify through the Preliminary Final week once again. These two sides have met 3 times now over the year, with the Redbacks getting the win in the first time around at home, but it was the Kangaroos have bounced back in the past two match ups, including the strong win in the 2nd Semi Final. The result last year saw the game go down to the wire, a 2 point win for the Redbacks, this game promises to be just as great a contest.
Sunbury Kangaroos - The Kangaroos head into this game as the favorites after an irresistible 2nd half of the year, it was Round 13 against Riddell that the Kangaroos last tasted defeat and since then, they have been dominant force, defeating both Romsey and Diggers Rest in the final 5 rounds, before defeating those same two sides in the first two weeks of finals. The Roos have prepared perfectly for this year, the younger brigade have now gained the experience of the last day of the year in the nail biter last year which will do them the world of good. In the midfield, Mitch Streiff, Tie Cuffe and skipper Jake Powell have a big test against the Redbacks midfield, but the form of all 3 in the finals to date has been excellent, the Kangaroos forwards have also been able to pop up at important moments in the contest. Phil Kaufmann, Jared Pretty, Ryan Hatty and Brenton Sutherland have all been important in their support of Chris Meacham. Whilst the back 6 has been settled all season and been the driving force behind the Kangaroos charge at the 2012 premiership.
Postive: The Kangaroos have managed to control the tempo of their contests so far this season, especially in the 2nd half of the year. The list have an excellent understanding of game sense and know when to up the tempo of the game or slow it down to their terms, it means that the defensive unit of the Kangaroos are always well supported and that the forwards get one on one contests when they break the contest open. The Roos took the mantle from Diggers Rest half way through the season of being able to utilize spread on the attack and so far opposition sides have been unable to counter. The biggest key for the Roos though is their ability to be far more efficient by foot than their opponents, especially during this years final series. The Roos were able to put a gap between themselves and their opponents in both games due to their efficiency around the ground and up forward.
Negative: How much will the loss last year play mentally on the minds of the Kangaroos young list, the saying around football is that you have to win one to lose one, but dropping a game like that can also increase the pressure on the line up.
Key: The Roos were last year hurt by their efficiency by foot, this year they are the best team in the competition in that stat, they have to make sure this stands up on Sunday as this is what will make or break the side. You can probably expect their opposition to get more of the ball and look in control of the game, but with the strength in the Roos backline, it will be how much scoreboard pressure they can put on by using the ball well.
Wildcard: Matthew Welsh - The silky skilled wingman has faced plenty of adversity in senior football since making his mark several years ago. Last year he was injured in the opening quarter of the game and was unable to play a role, his match up with Chris Petroro will be a fantastic one to watch and if Welsh can get a bit of space, his ball use is danger to Romsey.
Romsey - The Redbacks dream of back to back remains alive after an outstanding win in the Preliminary Final against the Burra last weekend. We got to see something that has been missing in the Redbacks game for the 2nd half of the year which will be ringing the alarm bells for their opponents. The Redbacks played the game on instinct, there was no concern about outside influences, they were able to control the controllable. In the midfield the Redbacks were on top all day, led by last years McIntyre Medalist Blake Henderson in the ruck, Mitch Brewer, Ash McNaughton and the wingmen Brad Mitchell and Chris Petroro were excellent around the contest, this ensured that the Redbacks forward set up, in particular Matt Davidson and Mitch Farmer, were able to find plenty of space to work over their opponents. In the back half, the Redbacks were just as solid. Leigh Erwin returned from injury to shut down Brent Tuckey, Phil Romeril was excellent as were the young guns Jake Lever and Nathan Blair.
All in all, the Redbacks rediscovered their mojo last week, and just in time for the biggest game of the year.
Postive: As mentioned, the Redbacks started backing their instinct again on the weekend, when they do that, they are a dangerous combination to face. The ability to turn the game on it's head in a matter of minutes makes them dangerous. The Redbacks strength is the ability to have several options in every area of the ground to have a match winning type of impact on the contest, from the backline through to the interchange, the Redbacks have stars ready to do the incredible, if they are allowed to get off the leash, it could become showtime pretty quickly.
Negative: With all the match winning ability in the side, it is the Redbacks efficiency that will be their downfall, in the first week of finals they were incredibly efficient in the opening quarter against Centrals booting 10.1, but since then, the Redbacks haven't been able to get reward for the periods that they have dominated contests, it hurt the 2nd week against Sunbury and although they won last week, it was again inaccuracy that kept Diggers Rest in the contest until 3 quarter time.
Key: The Redbacks have to make the most of every opportunity, if they can put scoreboard pressure on the Roos then it will lift the pressure on the Roos efficiency which has been great in the finals series, the midfield battle is going to be crucial, so the Redbacks will need to cash in if their midfield is on top.
Wildcard: Blake Henderson - The Redbacks ruckman faces the massive task of going up against 3 quality talls from the Kangaroos for the 2nd year running. He has the support of young Angus Storey this year, but he is going to need to play a massive role in this contest if the Redbacks are to come away with a premiership.
Key Match Ups:
Chris Meacham Vs Warren Kairns - The veteran full back needs to play a big role on the Kangas coach so that the Redbacks can free up Leigh Erwin, that's if he can fight his way back into the team.
Joeb Ploog Vs Cam Dawson - Dawson can be electrifying and there is no doubt that he will want to have a big impact on this game after being suspended last year. Ploog is a reliable and tough defender that will make Dawson earn everything he gets.
Dan Gregory Vs Matt Davidson - This one goes without saying, Davidson kicked 5 in last years GF and was a match winner for the Redbacks, Gregory has done well on him this year the times these two have met.
Mitch Streiff Vs Mitch Brewer - Brewer has really found his feet in this line up and is starting to win plenty of the ball around the middle, Streiff is one of the Roos most dangerous players.
Prediction: Massive contest that every year we all wait for, both sides come off their last games with convincing wins, the difference being the Roos last win was against the Redbacks, they have met 3 times this year as well as the Grand Final last year and both teams know each other pretty well. There is one thing that is undoubtable, this will be an outstanding contest, that could go either way, I say less than 2 goals either way.
Sunbury Kangaroos by 10 points.
Sunbury Kangaroos Vs Romsey
It's been 12 months, plenty has happened around the league on all levels, every team in the competition has had an overhaul, but with all the changes, this years Grand Final takes us back to the same time last year, the Sunbury Kangaroos head into the home change rooms after winning the 2nd Semi Final in a great contest at Kyneton, whilst the Redbacks head into the visitors rooms again this year after needing to qualify through the Preliminary Final week once again. These two sides have met 3 times now over the year, with the Redbacks getting the win in the first time around at home, but it was the Kangaroos have bounced back in the past two match ups, including the strong win in the 2nd Semi Final. The result last year saw the game go down to the wire, a 2 point win for the Redbacks, this game promises to be just as great a contest.
Sunbury Kangaroos - The Kangaroos head into this game as the favorites after an irresistible 2nd half of the year, it was Round 13 against Riddell that the Kangaroos last tasted defeat and since then, they have been dominant force, defeating both Romsey and Diggers Rest in the final 5 rounds, before defeating those same two sides in the first two weeks of finals. The Roos have prepared perfectly for this year, the younger brigade have now gained the experience of the last day of the year in the nail biter last year which will do them the world of good. In the midfield, Mitch Streiff, Tie Cuffe and skipper Jake Powell have a big test against the Redbacks midfield, but the form of all 3 in the finals to date has been excellent, the Kangaroos forwards have also been able to pop up at important moments in the contest. Phil Kaufmann, Jared Pretty, Ryan Hatty and Brenton Sutherland have all been important in their support of Chris Meacham. Whilst the back 6 has been settled all season and been the driving force behind the Kangaroos charge at the 2012 premiership.
Postive: The Kangaroos have managed to control the tempo of their contests so far this season, especially in the 2nd half of the year. The list have an excellent understanding of game sense and know when to up the tempo of the game or slow it down to their terms, it means that the defensive unit of the Kangaroos are always well supported and that the forwards get one on one contests when they break the contest open. The Roos took the mantle from Diggers Rest half way through the season of being able to utilize spread on the attack and so far opposition sides have been unable to counter. The biggest key for the Roos though is their ability to be far more efficient by foot than their opponents, especially during this years final series. The Roos were able to put a gap between themselves and their opponents in both games due to their efficiency around the ground and up forward.
Negative: How much will the loss last year play mentally on the minds of the Kangaroos young list, the saying around football is that you have to win one to lose one, but dropping a game like that can also increase the pressure on the line up.
Key: The Roos were last year hurt by their efficiency by foot, this year they are the best team in the competition in that stat, they have to make sure this stands up on Sunday as this is what will make or break the side. You can probably expect their opposition to get more of the ball and look in control of the game, but with the strength in the Roos backline, it will be how much scoreboard pressure they can put on by using the ball well.
Wildcard: Matthew Welsh - The silky skilled wingman has faced plenty of adversity in senior football since making his mark several years ago. Last year he was injured in the opening quarter of the game and was unable to play a role, his match up with Chris Petroro will be a fantastic one to watch and if Welsh can get a bit of space, his ball use is danger to Romsey.
Romsey - The Redbacks dream of back to back remains alive after an outstanding win in the Preliminary Final against the Burra last weekend. We got to see something that has been missing in the Redbacks game for the 2nd half of the year which will be ringing the alarm bells for their opponents. The Redbacks played the game on instinct, there was no concern about outside influences, they were able to control the controllable. In the midfield the Redbacks were on top all day, led by last years McIntyre Medalist Blake Henderson in the ruck, Mitch Brewer, Ash McNaughton and the wingmen Brad Mitchell and Chris Petroro were excellent around the contest, this ensured that the Redbacks forward set up, in particular Matt Davidson and Mitch Farmer, were able to find plenty of space to work over their opponents. In the back half, the Redbacks were just as solid. Leigh Erwin returned from injury to shut down Brent Tuckey, Phil Romeril was excellent as were the young guns Jake Lever and Nathan Blair.
All in all, the Redbacks rediscovered their mojo last week, and just in time for the biggest game of the year.
Postive: As mentioned, the Redbacks started backing their instinct again on the weekend, when they do that, they are a dangerous combination to face. The ability to turn the game on it's head in a matter of minutes makes them dangerous. The Redbacks strength is the ability to have several options in every area of the ground to have a match winning type of impact on the contest, from the backline through to the interchange, the Redbacks have stars ready to do the incredible, if they are allowed to get off the leash, it could become showtime pretty quickly.
Negative: With all the match winning ability in the side, it is the Redbacks efficiency that will be their downfall, in the first week of finals they were incredibly efficient in the opening quarter against Centrals booting 10.1, but since then, the Redbacks haven't been able to get reward for the periods that they have dominated contests, it hurt the 2nd week against Sunbury and although they won last week, it was again inaccuracy that kept Diggers Rest in the contest until 3 quarter time.
Key: The Redbacks have to make the most of every opportunity, if they can put scoreboard pressure on the Roos then it will lift the pressure on the Roos efficiency which has been great in the finals series, the midfield battle is going to be crucial, so the Redbacks will need to cash in if their midfield is on top.
Wildcard: Blake Henderson - The Redbacks ruckman faces the massive task of going up against 3 quality talls from the Kangaroos for the 2nd year running. He has the support of young Angus Storey this year, but he is going to need to play a massive role in this contest if the Redbacks are to come away with a premiership.
Key Match Ups:
Chris Meacham Vs Warren Kairns - The veteran full back needs to play a big role on the Kangas coach so that the Redbacks can free up Leigh Erwin, that's if he can fight his way back into the team.
Joeb Ploog Vs Cam Dawson - Dawson can be electrifying and there is no doubt that he will want to have a big impact on this game after being suspended last year. Ploog is a reliable and tough defender that will make Dawson earn everything he gets.
Dan Gregory Vs Matt Davidson - This one goes without saying, Davidson kicked 5 in last years GF and was a match winner for the Redbacks, Gregory has done well on him this year the times these two have met.
Mitch Streiff Vs Mitch Brewer - Brewer has really found his feet in this line up and is starting to win plenty of the ball around the middle, Streiff is one of the Roos most dangerous players.
Prediction: Massive contest that every year we all wait for, both sides come off their last games with convincing wins, the difference being the Roos last win was against the Redbacks, they have met 3 times this year as well as the Grand Final last year and both teams know each other pretty well. There is one thing that is undoubtable, this will be an outstanding contest, that could go either way, I say less than 2 goals either way.
Sunbury Kangaroos by 10 points.
- Banned
- #938
Great work pal.......Once again ! 
No mention of any discipline issue there though ! That all fixed now is it ???
No mention of any discipline issue there though ! That all fixed now is it ???
Interesting you have the youngest player on the park lining up on the oldest. Any chance of a Lever-Cuffe duel??
- Banned
- #941
Coming over for a look see on Sunday pal ?
- Banned
- #942
- Banned
- #945
Sorry pal, poorly phrased question on my part.
I'll try again........ ARE you taking credit for that ???
I'll be out of steam Sunday arvo and back in the office. You should head up to the QEO today, though. Promises to be a cracking game. Thinking the old RDFL boys might be able to cause an upset with Tom Waters best on ground.
- Banned
- #948
Na, going up to Ballarat today pal to try & get my old side up over Redan......& the Umpires !
But I do hope Gissy can cause some sorta upset over GS today.
If they could somehow snag that Premiership it would be truly their best & one with real merit. ........... Go Tommy !
Predictions
Riddel by 17 (hope wallan get up though )
Diggers by 27
Sunbury by 3 points
Riddel by 17 (hope wallan get up though
) Diggers by 27
Sunbury by 3 points
- Status
