The birds are chirping and the sun is on its way out and that can only mean one thing – Finals Footy!
DB is pumped to bring yo uthe most in-depth C1 Finals coverage in the State right here exclusivly to OzFooty.
Well done to the teams from all grades who have qualified, it is a good achievement over a fairly tedious 18 game season. Quinn’s will enjoy the week off in all three grades to rest any wary bodies and await the winners of the Qualifying Finals to host the 2nd Semis in South Geraldton with a place in B Grade and the Grand Final on the line.
League
Qualifying Final - (2nd) Melville v (3rd) Bullcreek Leeming @ Melville Reserve
Previous Encounters
Round 2 – Mel 8.13 (61) def BC 8.2 (50) @ Beasley Oval
Round 11 – Mel 12.9 (81) def BC 9.9 (63) @ Melville Reserve
Melville will be disappointed that they missed top spot by percentage but the consultation is a home Qualifying Final at Rams stadium. I expect a red hot contest here as both teams will be vying for a direct path to the GF/B Grade. Interestingly both teams have beaten Quinn’s at Ridgewood so that will hold no fears for the eventual winner.
In their season match ups (last one was 9 weeks ago) the Rams have won both by 11 points and 18 points respectively so you would expect another tight, low scoring encounter here. I think Melville at their home ground will be very hard to beat and that should give them the slight edge. Another factor in this one is last week’s games, Melville had a good finals like test while the Bombers had a bruise free encounter against Basso which may have lulled them into a false sense of security.
Melville by 3 goals
Elimination Final - (4th) Carlisle v (5th) Kingsley @ Carlisle Reserve
Previous Encounters
Round 6 – Kin 13.5 (83) def Car 10.14 (74) @ Kingsley Park
Round 15 – Kin 12.13 (85) def Car 11.3 (69) @ Carlisle Reserve
Like the Qualifying Final, this match up sees Kingsley have the wood over Carlisle in the season but by small margins of 9 points and 16 points.
Carlisle are not in very good form having only won 2 of their last 5 including a win against winless Gossy and a very narrow win 6 point win over Bassendean. Kingsley on the other hand are on a roll wining 5 from their last 5 and holding of Ridge from the last Finals Spot. One of those wins, just 4 weeks ago came at this venue with a 16 point win over the Panthers
Based on the season numbers and the form line, I can’t go past Kingsley here but do think it will be a very tight one.
Kingsley by 2 goals
Reserves
Qualifying Final - (2nd) Willetton v (3rd) Bullcreek Leeming @ Melville Reserve
Previous Encounters
Round 5 – Wil 9.11 (65) def BC 8.4 (52) @ Burrendah
Round 14 – BC 11.5 (71) def Wil 2.11 (23) @ Beasley
This should be an absolute belter as the curtain raiser to the league game! The Home and Away games were split 1 a piece with Willetton taking the honours at home by 13 points and the Bombers taking the return encounter easily with a big 48 point victory.
Looking at the form lines, Bullcreek are 4 of the last 5 while Willetton are only 3 of 5. The biggest concern for Willetton will be the fact that the only kicked 2 goals against Bullcreek in round 14 and 2 goals against Quinns last week. Neither team has beaten Quinns who will await the winners so in all likely hood these two will play again in a Prelim but that is a problem for next week.
This is a real flip of the coin. I am going to turn to both teams results at this neutral venue which is heavily in favour of the Blues. Just 3 weeks ago they had 42 scoring shots to take home a massive win against the Rams while the Bombers could only manage 18 in their clash earlier in the season. This to me would indicate that the smaller ground possibly suits Willetton’s game style and in my mind could give them the edge in an otherwise even contest.
Willetton by 2 goals.
Elimination Final - (4th) Kingsley v (5th) Ocean Ridge @ Carlisle Reserve
Previous Encounters
Round 2 – Kin 13.10 (88) def OCR (12.8 (80) @ Kingsley Park
Round 11 - OCR 15.7 (97) def Kin 7.7 (49) @ Heathridge Park
Season series are once again split for these two northern beach clubs as they face each other in a must win final. Ridge won the 2nd encounter fairly easily but that was 8 weeks ago so probably doesn’t count for too much.
I think this match will be another great display of C Reserves football and like the Qualifying Final, it really could go either way! Kingsley will be boyed by have all 3 teams playing at the same venue while Ridge could see some advantage from having their League and Colts teams both not making the finals.
Looking at the percentages, the Eagles seem to have a bit more fire power and that could be vital in this game.
Ridge by 3 goals
Colts
Qualifying Final - (2nd) Kingsley v (3rd) Willetton @ Melville Reserve
Details to follow
Elimination Final - (4th) Carlisle v (5th) Bullcreek Leeming @ Carlisle Reserve
Details to Follow
