TOPIC:

A fairly un-eventful first week of finals saw three teams eliminated across the three grades meaning we are now left with four contenders for week two where another three teams will be gone. Interestingly all three 5th placed sides knocked the 4th placed sides out!

Before we get into the match ups, a big Congratulations to Quinns who have been the best club all year and would be a red hot favourite to take out the WAAFL club of the year with all three C Grade sides topping the table and ultimately earning three home Semi Finals, a huge advantage. After winning C2 in 2013, they have made a huge step up this year after a solid 4th placed finish last year.

Looks like there could be wet conditions on Saturday which should mainly affect the league game with a 70% chance of showers later in the day but let’s face it, anything could change between now and then so we will wait until Saturday morning to see what the conditions bring. On to the match ups:

2nd Semis @ Ridgewood Park

League - Quinns District (1st) v Melville (2nd)
Previous Encounters:
Rd 6 – QD 13.9 (87) def Mel 9.5 (59) @ Melville Reserve
Rd 15 – Mel 12.11 (83) def QD 12.7 (79) @ Ridgewood Park

This is the match up we predicted before last week with the Rams easily accounting for Bullcreek. Quinns would have enjoyed their week off to freshen up and will now host the Rams for a direct route to the Grand Final and ultimately B grade in 2016. Both sides finished the season on equal points and took 1 game apiece in the home and away season so they really couldn’t be more evenly matched.

This is a really tough tip and the Rams will surely take a lot of confidence into the game having won at this venue only 4 weeks ago in what was probably the game of the season. Still I think Quinns deserve the respect of being minor premiers and should take this game in a tight encounter.

Quinns by 11 points

Reserves - Quinns District (1st) v Willetton (2nd)
Previous Encounters:
Rd 9 – QD 12.6 (78) def Wil 6.3 (39) @ Burrendah Reserve
Rd 18 – QD 10.7 (67) def Wil 2.10 (22) @ Ridgewood Park

Quinns have beaten Willetton easily on both previous occasions with their last match up at this venue only 2 weeks ago. The Blues will need to be much better than that to take the direct route to the GF and you would expect them to come out firing after a strong win last week. Quinns will be too strong based on the season match ups between the 2 teams.

Quinns by 24 points

Colts - Quinns District (1st) v Willetton (3rd)
Previous Encounters:
Rd 9 - Wil 16.7 (103) def QD 6.5 (41) @ Burrendah Reserve
Rd 18 – QD 12.9 (81) def Wil 5.8 (38) @ Ridgewood Park

One of Quinns colts losses did come against Willettton in round 9 with a huge 62 point margin at Burrendah Reserve. Other than that minor blip, Quinns have been dominant and I would expect them to take this one and progress straight through to the GF.

Quinns by 17 points

1st Semis @ Beasley Park

League – Bullcreek Leeming (3rd) v Kingsley (5th)
Previous Encounters:
Rd 8 – Kin 15.3 (93) def BC 11.5 (71) @ Beasley Park
Rd 17 – Kin 9.13 (67) def BC 7.6 (48) @ Kingsley Park

Bullcreek were disappointing last week after not really firing a shot in the second half at Rams Stadium. The loss means they will get to head to the friendly confines of their home ground at Beasley Park but will face the team they probably didn’t want to come up against in Kingsley.

1st Semis are always intriguing as one team (Kingsley) is carrying the momentum of a sudden death win from the Elimination Final while one team (Bullcreek) are reeling from a Qualifying Final loss. Purely based on season ladder position, I think the bombers can get it done but Kingsley are a red hot chance and seem to match up very well against the Bombers based on taking both of the home and away games.

Bullcreek by 5 points

Reserves – Bullcreek Leeming (3rd) v Ocean Ridge (5th)
Previous Encounters:
Rd 3 – BC 11.9 (75) def OR 5.6 (36) @ Heathridge Park
Rd 12 – BC 8.13 (61) def OR 3.8 (26) @ Beasley Park

Bullcreek missed their chance to reach the 2nd semi last week while Ocean Ridge had a very strong, somewhat surprising win over Kingsley. Looking at the ladder positions and the season results between the two teams, I think the Bomber should have the Eagles measure but you just never know in the finals.

Bullcreek by 19 points

Colts – Kingsley (2nd) v Bullcreek Leeming (5th)
Previous Encounters:
Rd 8 – Kin 10.16 (76) def BC 1.3 (9) @ Beasley Park
Rd 17 – Kin 12.11 (83) def BC 7.5 (47) @ Kingsley Park

Kingsley would be disappointed with the loss last week and I suspect they will take extreme confidence from how they played against Bullcreek during the season. Kingsley won 6 more games than Bullcreek during the season including holding the Bombers to 1 goal in round 8. On paper this could be a massacre but fortunately for Bullcreek, finals aren’t played on paper so they will take some hope but I think Kinga will be too good here.

Kingsley by 30 points

5 Star write up DB

The Golden Fleece wrote: 5 Star write up DB

You can thank my boss for the time it took me to get the research done and write it up!

The Golden Fleece wrote: 5 Star write up DB

This.

Also: tl;dr

Considering the Willo Reserves looks like the League side they had earlier in the year I wouldnt be surprised if they have a real charge at Quinns.

Interesting observation Sand Surfer. Looking at Sporting Pulse, it would appear that most of the guys who played on Saturday played over 7 Reserves games with many of them not playing any League games or less then 7.

I'd give the benifit of the doubt and say that this is mainly because of having an even ability of player say 10 - 40 at the club meaning most could slot in between the 2 grades hence their poor League result this season.

With the weather looking wet to very wet I think this will suit the Rams as the play tight in and under footy at home every second week plus it will make it hard for Quinn's on the outside.
Kingsley to upset Bullcreek.
Reserve Quinns 2 good with there mix of big fellas who crack in and the good ball winners
Ocean ridge to have a few come back in from the league.
Colts I have no idea, haven't seen a game all year

Gday boys first post for the season but long time reader. Danny bhoy is right, few mates play down at the blues and most of that team on the weekend have had majority games in the twos, should be a good game up at Quinns!

Yeah I think Willo are just lucky and have a player pool that can easily slot into both teams. I saw them round 4 or 5 and noticed 4-5 guys from that league game in the ressies on the weekend. Hopefully they make it a close game up at Quinns

If you have guys qualified, why wouldn't you play them? If they've played the required amount of games then Willetton are only doing what any other club would do.