By: Davis Harrigan
TWELVE months ago, Blackburn and South Croydon had doggedly made their way through to a preliminary final with the victor to face Vermont in the 2017 Grand Final. The Bulldogs triumphed that September afternoon by 16 points. Blackburn won’t want to repeat that again on Saturday.
Fast forward, and the tracking through the finals has nearly repeated itself; both sides have gone through the same pathway to get here, with similar results or games to 2017 panning out this year. That’s a testament to the work these sides have put in all year.
South Croydon had to fight right to the teeth with Doncaster in the qualifying final before grabbing a last gasp score that saw them the topple the Sharks, in a similar fashion to knocking Balwyn off last year. Vermont – their opponent in the corresponding semi last year – swooped in and picked up the Dogs easily for a 55-point victory.
The Panthers hit Rowville in a crunch elimination final, and in similar fashion to the same final against Doncaster last year, started a slow burn before blasting out of the blocks in the third term to leave the Hawks wondering how it got away. A similar game against Doncaster last week saw the red and black outfit startled, before rallying after the 15-minute mark of the second term through regular stalwarts such as Tim Watkins, Sam Hudson, Luke Conca and Ryan Bathie.
All finals are crunch games, but particularly this one: Blackburn will be looking to go one-up in finals this time around to get to the Division One Grand Final. After the last two years have been spent building a side of experience and consistency, it looks like the red and black have truly earned their stripes to be in finals.
The Dogs have looked every bit the team that snatched the Division One Premiership from under Vermont’s claws last year; they stuck themselves in the top five after round 5, and cemented top two not long after. They’ve defeated three of the top five sides during the season, with Doncaster being the exception in three enthralling encounters. They’ve had to contend with losing young gun Frank Anderson during the season, but staying with the top five for such an extended period of time says they are primed for another run at the trophy. This time, there would be no surprises.
Blackburn had it the opposite way to start the season under new coach Brendan Allen – they joined the party a few rounds later and had to battle it out on percentage to stay afloat with Rowville and Doncaster for a large part of the second half of the season. Some very healthy results after June – including knocking Vermont off their perch two weeks in a row – spoke to the leadership of the likes of Max Otten and Anthony Fagan among others.
Key Players
Blackburn
Jake Hammond – 56 goals
– Blackburn’s main stalwart is at it again this year with some big hauls across the season, including two bags of eight. Aided greatly by having other forward targets to deliver to and working further up the ground as a “utility” type asset to allow the Panthers defence to push through the midfield.
Ryan Bathie – 34 goals
– Able to adapt forward and back when required; big marks and fearless body in contests have ensured Bathie remains a mainstay of the senior line-up.
Patrick Lawlor – 26 goals
– Big year for the VFL star, whose experience on the wing and into the forward pocket has been immense. Starred for the Panthers in the romp home against Doncaster into the preliminary final.
South Croydon
Daniel King
– Bulldogs ball and contest magnet. If the ball’s near him, expect a contest breaker or clearing possession looking for a forward or midfield target. Could prove absolutely vital for leg speed on the day.
Frank Anderson
– Has had his fair share of injury troubles this year, but makes his impact and known and counted. Should be a huge asset through the midfield and flank against a backline from Blackburn including Ben Daniher, Luke Conca and Sam Hudson.
Dylan Marshall
– Formidable wherever he is around the ground. Should bolster a South Croydon side smarting from the Vermont loss.
Both South Croydon and Blackburn are able to step up in the big games and clutch moments when it matters, but the momentum is with Blackburn again heading into the prelim. Whether that translates on the field, we will have to wait. One thing is likely: the 49-33 scoreline in 2017 should be higher this time around.