EFL Media’s Tim Fitzsimons previews all the action in the first week of the Division 1 finals…
BALWYN (2ND, 12-6) v SOUTH CROYDON (3RD, 12-6)
Finals veterans Balwyn take on the finals up and comers in South Croydon this Saturday at Bayswater Oval in the qualifying final.
Balwyn has finished off the year in reasonable shape, winning four of its past five to earn the double chance for the third season in a row.
They were challenged at times last week by a gallant North Ringwood but ultimately proved too strong with Jonathan Simpkin and Shaun Cross amongst the best in a 36-point win.
With plenty of finals experience still in the line up, the Tigers will be primed to start their finals campaign strongly in a quest for a third consecutive flag.
South Croydon has relished this season, doubling the number of wins from last year to finish third and gain the double chance.
They enjoyed a welcome return to form last week, flying out to a seven goal to zero opening quarter against Montrose to eventually win by 74 points.
With Jake Tucker booting six goals in the win to give himself some momentum in the lead up to this first final, the Balwyn defence must nullify his influence across the day.
These two sides have had vastly contrasting finals experience of late with Balwyn yet to miss the finals since entering the league in 2007 while South Croydon has made the finals just once in the past eight years.
Will it be the reining champs or the up and comers to get the chance to face off with Vermont next week?
LAST TIME THEY MET:
ROUND 15
SOUTH CROYDON 7.14.56 def. by BALWYN 15.8.98
It was a Balwyn side, lead by six goals to Luke Barker that were too strong, coming away 42-point winner on the road.
Jeffery Gobbels and Rennie Gilchrist were strong contributors for the Tigers while Stephen Dinnell and Dylan Marshall held their own for South Croydon in defeat.
DONCASTER (4TH, 12-6) v BLACKBURN (5TH, 12-6)
For the second week in a row Doncaster and Blackburn meet, this time in a do or die elimination final at Jubilee Park.
Doncaster’s run of eight straight victories came to an end at the hands of Blackburn last week.
They didn’t do enough in a six goal to one last quarter come back to get the four points and will be kicking themselves that they missed out on the double chance by 0.4 percentage points.
Their defence has been a strong element for the Sharks this season, second to only Vermont and Blackburn must find a way to score like they did last week to have a chance of knocking them off once again.
Blackburn was dominant for much of last weeks clash and will take great confidence heading into the rematch this Sunday.
The Burners have found form of late as some of their key players have returned following injuries at various stages of the year.
The wide open spaces of Jubilee Park means the side that can get their running game going, use the ball efficiently whilst locking down and pressuring the opposition midfield will go a long way to progressing through to the semi finals next week.
In what promises to be an enthralling battle, the winner will go through to play the loser of Balwyn v South Croydon while it will be curtains for the loser in season 2017.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
ROUND 18
BLACKBURN 11.16.82 def. DONCASTER 10.14.74
The scoreboard may not have reflected the true nature of the majority of last weeks clash with Blackburn able to hold off a fast finishing Doncaster to win by eight points.
Jason Read and Samuel Macaulay were terrific for Blackburn while Ben Marganis lead the resistance for the Sharks.
