EFL Media’s Matt Fotia previews all the upcoming finals action in Division 3…
Second Semi Final
Ringwood (1st, 14-4, WWW) v Park Orchards (2nd, 13-5, LWW)
After a week off last weekend the Redbacks will be chomping at the bit to take on the Sharks this weekend. The Sharks will be flying high after last weekends pumping of the Dockers in the qualifying final. This is a thigh rubber.
The Redbacks forward line has been spoken about so much this season. Led by skipper Trent Farmer ( 70 goals) who has returned to the side in an incredible touch kicking 16 goals in the last fortnight. But it is in the defence where Ringwood seperate themselves from the rest. Led by Nathan Cairns and Michael Grierson the Redbacks have conceded just 978 points this season, including keeping Boronia just one goal in round 16.
In the middle of the ground Ringwood will be counting its lucky stars for ruckman Ben Power. A proven star at all levels in the league, Power’s size will come in handy against Josh Chappell. Power will have the ability to match Chappell around the ground and will have a fair bit of height and strength on the Park Orchards ruckman. Chappell is in good form after dominating the hitouts last weekend and taking countless uncontested marks around the ground last Saturday.
Park Orchards will be told to just carry on from where they left off. The number one attack in the competition flexed its muscle out at East Burwood over the weekend. Michael Philp kicked three goals to take his tally to 43 for the season, Nick Handley should’ve had more than one after dominating in the air, whilst Connor Hickey snagged four in an opportunistic role. Add into this the return of key forward Fowkes and the Sharks are scary up forward.
Nathan Wiggins’ foot skills impressed through the middle of the ground, but Jarrod Bayliss’ side will be looking to bring the fire again. The Sharks were fast, fit, intense and they bought the pressure right up to Templestowe. No doubt they’ll be going the same again this weekend.
Last Time: Park Orchards 20.12.132 def Ringwood 13.18.96
Fowkes 6, Philp 2, Handley 2, Bowden 7. SHOOT OUT ALERT.
First Semi Final
Templestowe (3rd, 13-5, WWL) v Heathmont (5th, 12-6, WWW)
The Dockers were completely out played last weekend by an impressive Park Orchards outfit. They could not handle the pressure, intensity and pace which Park Orchards held. It caused indecision and chaos amongst the Docker’s ranks and it showed on the field.
Injuries to Matt Bain prior to the game and key midfield general David Di Stefano halfway through the second quarter. If both of those players are unavailable this weekend it will hurt the way the Dockers set up as well as its pace on the outside. It will require the Mariani brothers to increase their output after an unusually quiet game last time out.
Oliver Lodge impressed up forward kicking two goals and having a few more shots on goal throughout the game. Adrian Fancellu worked hard all day and was one of the few Dockers that won his battle.
The Dockers will need to find a way to increase its speed and spread on the big grounds if they are to impact the 2017 finals.
Opponents Heathmont owe the Dockers for keeping the finals door open in round 18 by defeated Boronia. The Jets then went on to outlast an in form Scoresby side in an inaccurate shootout. There were 41 scoring shots for the game, with just 12 goals.
Heathmont co-captain Dylan Sverns led the back six well as they halted the Scoresby onslaught well, especially shutting down Nathan Hicks keeping him to just two goals, well done on his usual performances.
Jack Cornwall popped up with four crucial goals, made even more special by the fact that Cornwall has only kicked eight goals for the season. Jarrod Spurrell maintained his consistent form yet again finding himself in the Jets’ best players again. The Jets will be looking to spread the Dockers and out run them on the large expands of Central Reserve.
Last Time: Templestowe 11.4.70 def Heathmont 3.11.29
Mariani’s in the goals as was Lodge. The Jets were in a flat patch however.
