FARRER LEAGUE EDITORIAL
Last weeks preliminary final was a lot closer than most people expected but it was the result that most people expected. The Magpies got off to a flying start and maintained the six goal break that they had at quarter time until the final siren blew at 4.30 pm. They now move onto the “big one” here today whilst Temora can start planning for next year. The Kangaroos can really hold their heads high knowing that they are not that far off the top two sides and with a good pre season I think that they can bridge that gap even further. It was the same result in the reserve grade with the experience of TRYC telling in the finish as they held off Temora and they too advance to today’s playoff. All is now in readiness for a CAK and TRYC double header.
Today brings the curtain down on another season in the Farrer Football League and we have near neighbours and traditional rivals battling it out to see who will reign supreme for 2008. The Demons went straight into this years “big one” courtesy of a good old fashioned thumping of the Magpies in the second semi final and they go into this years Grand Final as deserved red hot favourites. They have no visible deficiencies on the field and indeed have plenty of “spares” ready to take on the Magpies. Their backline is headed by Doug Bruckner, Chad Hamblin, Nathan Fuller, Shaun Bradley and Ned Mortimer. They provide plenty of run and handball out of defence and they invariably turn defence into attack. They have been very miserly all year and they will be out to do the same here today. Their midfield and onballers is where I think their strength lies. They have Josh McKenzie, Brad Aiken and Adam McKenzie across the centre with Josh Meiselbach, Randy Munzel and Chris Gow giving them plenty of drive on the ball. Now we go up forward for the Demons and it just gets stronger. They have Marc Geppert, Ben Absolum, Jason Wild, Matt McClure and captain coach Shane Lenon giving them plenty of options. Their overall depth is such that they have the likes of Jamie Wild, Matt Lewington, Kallan Sykes and Shane Gow to choose from the interchange bench.
We will now analyse the Magpies predicted side and see if we can give them a chance of causing the biggest boil over for a very long time. Whislt they have not defeated the Demons this year they have come very close on two occasions. In Round 2 it was that epic draw and in Round 12 they were defeated by 20 points after leading early in the game. So as you can see they are not without a realistic chance but they need everything to go absolutely the right way. Their defence is headed by Michael Mazzocchi, Mitch Glasgow, Justin Rynehart, Jordan Simpson and Mark Adams. They have taken all before this season except for one forward line – the Demons forwards. If they can on top from the start they are a chance to hold them. I think that the Magpies midfield and onballers holds the key to their success. If Mark O’Leary, Nathan McDonald, David Pieper, Aiden Ridley, Justin Driscoll and Todd Hanam can hold their own, or even better, than I rate them a chance. They too have plenty of potency up forward with Jason Brown, Luke Webb, Ryan Forsyth, Aaron De Jong and Ash Dikkenberg giving them plenty of options. I think it will be a lot closer than their last meeting and I’m tipping a much improved effort by the Magpies. But it’s hard to go past the Demons as winning form is good form. That’s why I’m tipping CAK to win by 30 odd points.
The Reserves should be a fantastic start to the day of footy with Demons and the Magpies doing battle here as well. I don’t think it’s a matter of both clubs dominating the League but does highlight their overall depth as compared to the other clubs. The Demons go into this as favourites with the likes of Clint Renner, Andrew Whale, Jarrod Slattery, Nathan Dowdle, Ryan Dean and James Burgess all in good form. The Magpies are not without a chance here and if Graham Fellows, Ryan Knight, Tim Pankhurst, Paul Hindmarsh, Travis Merrills and Jake Hindmarsh all get a sniff then they could well spring an upset early in the day. Still you would have to go with the Demons to start the day off with a win here.
Well there we have it – a preview of what I think will happen in today’s deciders. I would like to wish all participants in both football and netball Grand Finals all the very best and we will see you all again next year. Thought for the Year: I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.
Website Editor