TOPIC:

Lets forget about this fixturing debacle and worry about the important stuff the footy!!

League:
Kingsway vs Nth Freo- Nth Freo had a grueling encounter this week and will be feeling it. Kingsway had the week off and will feel fresh. Kingsway are going to A Grade for the first time. Kingsway by 2 goals

Wanneroo vs Swan Ath- Wanneroo could be in such a different position this week if they hadve kicked straight and now face a battle to stay in finals, a battle they will win.
Wanneroo by 4 goals.

Reserves:
Wanneroo vs Swan Ath- Wanneroo by 1 goal
Nth Freo vs Kingsway- Nth Freo by 3 goals

Colts:
Swan Ath vs Wanneroo- Wanneroo by 1pt
Nth Freo vs Collegians- Nth Freo by 2 goals

Well what an exciting first week of finals we saw last week, let’s hope this week lives up to the billing as well. We have 4 fairly good game spread across the League and Reserves, so I am sure we will see some good contests among all that.
There has been a lot of conjecture about the fixtures, so I think MrM will have his say. It seems to MrM that one club obviously values its lower grade success over League success, as they have chosen to help them out, which is an odd way to look at things, perhaps that is the way they do things out that way.
But nevertheless we move on and look towards what should be a good weekend of football, especially with the forecast weather.
MrM is enjoying somewhat cool conditions as well so it’s good to see we are all in the same boat for this.

Not much happening worldwide, except MrM’s two favourite world leaders are currently duelling, but that’s no major deal, but good luck to everyone else I’ll say.
Time for some football now

Second Semi Final

Kingsway v North Fremantle @Kingsway Reserve FOTW
Well a spot in the Grand Final is on the line here and both sides have plenty to play for, which is why it is our Final Of The Week.

Kingsway surprised many and jumped to the top of the table when they managed to hit some late season form, which is exactly when you want to be hitting the form. They play some good football and have an even spread throughout the field which should hold them in good stead as they face a very good North Fremantle outfit this weekend. North Freo good through by the skin of their teeth last weekend but should feel confident they can match Kingsway here. If North Fremantle wants to win they will need to get it out of the midfield which could be a tough task as that is one of Kingsway strong suits. I think it will be a very interesting game indeed. I do think Kingsway will get the win though.
Kingsway by 3 goals

First Semi Final

Wanneroo v Swan Athletic @Wanneroo Showgrounds

Wanneroo shouldn’t be too disheartened after last weekend’s results as they were one kick away from the game going their way. If they bring the intensity that they know they can then I expect Wanneroo to walk out Saturday victors. They will come up against a hot and cold Swan Ath side that will want to keep their finals campaign rolling. Swan Ath managed a come from behind win last weekend and will need to bring their A game to Wanneroo. These games are usually tight tussles, but I think with plenty to play for right here, Wanneroo at home will get the win.
Wanneroo by 2 goals

Good luck to all this weekend. While we are here, MrM notices that its the WAAFL Awards Night next week.
Who do we think will take out the award?
MrM will tip one half of the most destructive forward lines in all of the WAAFL D.McKinlay to go back to back or perhaps “Chuck” Palumbo from North Freo.

Well here we are, a spot is up for grabs in the big dance. I am pumped up for this weekend and am very much looking forward to the cream rising to the top.
League
Kingsway to be fresh after the week off and get another week off before playing off in a GF. Great effort by them, in what has been a very consistent year. that is no knock on North Freo, who I still think is in with a massive chance.
Kingsway 2 gaols
Swan Ath will try and carry their strong form in from last week but I feel Wanneroo are heading in the right direction and will be determined after dropping a winnable game last week. a very tight contest, with 2 evenly matched teams.
I think either team that lose here will look back on the year in disappointment but shouldn't it has been tight at the top all year.
Wanneroo under a goal.
Reserves
Swan Ath did it the hard way last week in a tough game and I think the fresh legs of Wanneroo will get it done
Wanneroo 3 goals
North Freo do not deserve to go out in straight sets and will make sure they don't.
North Freo by 5 goals.
Colts
Wanneroo to continue their red hot form and book a spot in the grand final. Roos by 2 goals
North Freo to bounce back from last week tough loss under lights.

It has been a great season so far and will only get better in the next couple of weeks.
Massive congratulations to the 4 clubs left in the league race, these clubs appear to be in great shape at the moment with most of their teams pushing for finals success.

What a week it has been and what a weekend we have to look forward too. Few things have been said over the past week about the fixturing and I have to agree that common sense should have prevailed hosting all the same teams at 1 ground. It definitely would have made for some big crowds with the teams left having strong supporter bases, but nonetheless we must carry on. The sun will be out and we will definitely know who are the best 3 teams in each grade by Saturday evening.

North Freo to get the choccies over Bootheads Teal Roos. Its not an easy thing getting to the pinnacle of amateur football in WA and this is why my bet is North. North have the experience of going up and down from A to B grade and this is why i think they will handle the occasion better. Kingsway deserved the week off and will just be a bit sluggish but deserve another chance. I could be wrong but this will be a ripper. North by 14 points.

Wanneroo to beat the Ath by 4 goals. My reasoning for this is just because I don't really know what Swan team will arrive. Just like at Kingsway, I can see a big turnout with Wanneroo just a bit agitated about Swan not agreeing to the fixture change. The Ath do have big bodies and on a hot day they could run out of sting.

In the reserves I'm expecting North Freo to win by about 6 goals over Kingsway as in my opinion they are just that bit more talented than kingsway and Wanneroo to win a bruising game by 3 goals over Ath.

In the Colts Collegians to frustrate the living hell out of North by 3 goals and continue there finals dash to September. Im not sure how many teams in the colts division want to draw them so I think both Ath and Wanneroo to hope for a North victory with Wanneroo winning the colts by 3 points as all margains have been very slender between them this season.

Good luck all grades. Keen to hear some more match previews as well as reviews come start of next week. Frank out Legends

Results
Colts
North Fremantle 2.8=20
Collegians 1.9=15
Would love to hear how this one played out. Judging form the scores, I'm guessing it was a tough and tight.
Wanneroo 7.7=49
Swan Ath 6.7=43
What an exciting way to start a great day of footy. With the Wanneroo kids getting the chocolates in extra time and weren't they pumped up.

Reserves
Kingsway 10.7=67
North Fremantle 4.10=34
Great effort by Kingsway but the Magpies will be very disappointed to go out in straight sets after a very strong year.
Wanneroo 8.5=53
Swan Ath 7.6=48
Another cracking game, which was only decided in the dying minute. Two very evenly matched team, who should meet again in 2 weeks.

League
Kingsway 8.9=57
North Fremantle 4.10=34
Would love to hear from anyone that saw this game, as I left straight after the reserves to get to the Show Grounds, we have heard enough about that but I will say perhaps there was a little bit of karma that played out yesterday. Looks like wayward kicking cost North a ticket straight into the big dance.

Wanneroo 11.18=84
Swan Ath 4.6=30
A dominant performance by Wanneroo, who looked switched on from the start. It was hard to get a gauge form the first quarter given Swan Ath are traditionally slow starter, so you felt they would come storming back at some stage. However the storm never came, Wanneroo were on top in all areas and would stay there. Should have won by more, if not for inaccurate kicking. Something that will need to be fixed for next week.

As the ladder showed at the end of the year, the 3 best teams in the comp still have a chance to win it.
A great effort by Kingsway to go straight through and who now guarantee themselves a spot in A Grade for the first time.
This week we will see two clubs fight it out for the right to challenge them. Wanneroo and North Fremantle should be very familiar with each other by now, this is their 3rd meeting in 4 weeks. I am predicting a great game of footy, especially if the weather holds off, with both these side capable of moving the footy extremely well.

Looking forward to reviews and write ups in the coming days.

What a weekend of football.
We saw 2 games decided by the last kick of the day. MrM is burning the midnight oil here.

Colts,

Apparently Collegians v North Fremantle could be described as one of the worst advertisements for football, scrappy all day.

Apparently Swan Ath v Wanneroo could be described as one of the best advertisements for football with extra time needed to split these two sides.
Wanneroo managed to get a win, but I am sure they will meet again in 2 weeks

Reserves
North Fremantle v Kingsway.
Kingsway had a few League calibre players playing Reserves and it obviously made a difference as the score suggests they were all over North Fremantle.
Wanneroo v Swan Athletic.

A game decided by the last kick of the day. Well done to Wanneroo for getting that close win, I am sure both these sides will face off in 2 weeks also.

League
Wanneroo v Swan Athletic

Was told Swan Ath led at quarter time, but did nothing after that as Wanneroo were on top after that.
Kingsway v North Fremantle
Kingsway get the win and into the Grand Final. Next week shall be a big one, looking forward to it already.

yes MrM...I was at the North Freo v Collegians colts match and it was a shocker. Only 3 goals kicked all day in perfect conditions. North Freo colts won't get anywhere near Swan Ath this week based on that performance.

Colts - Game could have gone either way with no side really having more than a 1 goal advantage at any Stage. The week off looked to affect Swan Ath more as they seemed to run out of puff late. I dare say it would be fitting if these 2 sides met again on GF day as they are clearly the 2 stand out sides in Colts this year (Early call but if SA get through as i expect this week, i will back them in to win the GF)

Ressies:- Again nothing in this for most off the day. Wanneroo kicked away just before 1/2 time and were pegged back in the 3rd by SA with the last being a dour struggle. SA had control with a minute to go but had 2 blokes go up for a marking contest and spoilt each other wihilst the Wanneroo player stayed down which enabled Wanneroo to move the ball forward and slot the winner with only a few seconds remaining. Great Game of footy

League: - High pressure game early with goals at a minimum. Kingsway took control midway thru the 2nd to open up a handy little break and whilst NF kept coming, you got the feeling that Kingsway were always in control and deserved the win. Looking at both sides after the game i know that there were a lot of sore bodies so NF will do well to back up this week whilst Kingsway get the week off to refresh and prepare for the GF in 2 weeks time.

Sets-up another NF v Wanneroo meeting (3rd game in 4 weeks) with plenty at stake obviously, Wet weather predicted for most of the week probably won't help them on the track either and at this stage , i would say it would be too close to call.

We are now down to 3 in each grade, with some ripper games by the looks. In the league Swan aths inconsistent season came to an end without a shot fired. From the perspective of the 3 teams left, they will be saying that's justice for being clowns and will be happy to see the back of the grape growers. Wanneroo probably should have won by more by the looks ans thats 2 weeks in a row where inaccuracy has plagued there game. If they dont sort it they won't win this weekend. As for Kingsway, i was wrong and they showed they are ready for the climb. Used the week off well and that probably showed in the result, bit slow to start but got going. As for North freo, they have only won the 1 game in a month and probably didnt deserve the result against thr roos last week. They will be at home and with a big crowd expected, it should be a doozy.

In the 2s, kingsway did it easy against North freo but will be without a few of those players this week as there league won and North freo jusy like there league team have just lost a bit of form at thr wrong time of year which has cost them in the end. Swan couldnt hold on in the 2s as wanneroo stole victory with a coast to coast goal by the sounds. They will once again enjot the week off and enjoy what kingsway and ath have to show this week.

As for the colts wanneroo will definitely enjoy the week off after an extra time thriller but im still expecting swan ath to win easy this week. The top 2 teams have daylight on the rest and even after the slog the Ath will have too much for the maggies.