Millewa Football League Semi-Final Preview
It will be a big day for Millewa football and netball today with both semi-finals being played at Carramar Drive Gol Gol. Football will commence at midday while the netball starts at 12:30. Both games of football should be enthralling contests with each side matching up very evenly.
In the first semi, Werrimull will play Cardross which is a huge turn around for both clubs, as they finished last season on the bottom of the ladder. It is a great credit to both clubs to have turned their fortunes around so quickly. This will be a hard fought encounter as both pride themselves on their fierce attack on the ball and pressuring their opponents. The duel in the midfield will be one of the many highlights of the game with the Pies having Paul Jenkins, Ryan Tierney, and Graham Mentiplay all class players with Capp and Milner sharing the ruck duties. They come up against the powerful Lions midfield of Tom Wallace, Bill Rolfe and Jamie Cox with Drewitt and Berry in the ruck. The outcome of this battle will be critical to the success of either team. Werrimull’s defence has been solid all year and although they will miss Jamie Roberts, Colby Loxton, Matt Kelly, Michael Moodie and Chris McGregor have proven to be a tight unit and get good support from Chris Douglas and Shane Dalziel. Andrew Ferguson and Darren McCarthy are the focal points for the Lions forward line with both capable of kicking big tallies and with class players like Ben and Ty Ransome, Brady DallaSanta and Jack Rolfe, the Lions will make full use of their opportunities. Tim Page and Luke Keating have been very good players for Cardross on the wings and their clash with Travis Lindsay and Adam Thompson will be another highlight. Francis Kelly and James Graham are solid targets for the Pies up forward with the dangerous Brendan Marr, Brad Duscher and Alfie Jenkins, all capable of testing any defence while Andy Seaton-Stewart is a fierce competitor who will provide a strong contest. The Lions defence is a cohesive unit with Peter Cooper, Jake Harris and Mark East likely to be assigned the major roles with Craig Madigan and Jason Bolitho capable of mounting counter attacks with their run and penetrating kicking. Both teams like to rotate players through the midfield and forward lines and have many players with which to do this. Cardross were very disappointed with their efforts last week and will no doubt be well primed for a big effort, and are capable of matching it with the best, but Werrimull played their best football for the season against the Lions last week and look to be at their top and they should win a hard fought close contest.
Bambill and Gol Gol are no strangers when it comes to playing each other in a finals contest although there has been many changes in personnel of both teams since last season. Clashes between the two sides have been very even this season and this game should be no exception. The clash between the league’s leading ruckmen, Ryan McClelland and Tim Robinson should be a beauty and if either can get on top will provide a big advantage to their side. Both teams are strong in the midfield with Andrew Ross, Ben Milsom and Jason Hunt in the square for the Saints up against Ashley Pullman, Mel Ficarra and Tony Albert for the Hawks. All players are capable of gathering many possessions and providing drive for their team. Clint Pierce and Ricky Sylvia provide speed on the wings for Bambill while Dion Collins and Shaun McInerney are proven performers for Gol Gol who are important in their set up. Jason Bell, Kaleb Sherwell and Jason Bruhn are high quality forwards who will test the Saints defence with Luke Hubble, Andrew Price and Luke Kearney likely to be assigned the key roles. Lee Crane, Chris O’Flaherty and Dean McDowell compliment the big forwards but the reliable Jarret Farley, Brendan Arundel and Rob Morgan will make their task difficult. David Hall and Brett Haase are key players for the Saints up forward and both have been playing good footy. They are supported by Billy Fishwick, David Pickett, Brant Reid and Andy Gibson who are capable of contributing to the scoreboard. Tim Anderson and Brent Johns will take the main defensive roles for the Hawks and with Tim Watson, Clinton Cooke, Dallas Bailey and Jeremy Johns, form a tight defensive unit who will turn defence into attack at every opportunity. This game will be another tight contest with the outcome likely to be in doubt right to the finish, but Bambill to win in a nailbiter.
Last Modified on 03/09/2010 19:28