TOPIC:

As I sit here looking at the Ladder and pondering what to write, I think what a cracking Finals Round this could be.

On any given day, any of the teams in both League or Reserves could win any of this week's games.

Games at Melville, with it's tiny, rather odd shaped ground, are likely to be affected by that.

On that basis, Melville go into that game as favorites, though I still think Gosnells have got players back at the right time and should win narrowly.

In the Reserves, Gosnells play Bullcreek in a game where both teams are more used to larger, open grounds. Probably anther close one, with neither team able to drop players back. Gosnells haven't won a Reserves Grand Final since 1965 and probably have more to play for.

In the other game, Thornlie travel to Bullcreek.

Both teams have had good years but I think I have to pick Thornlie in a close one as they seem to be coming good at the right time of year.

In the Reserves, Hammersley play Ocean Ridge. Neither Club had great seasons in the League, but Ocean Ridge have a great team, and if they played their cards right, were able to qualify both Colts and League players for this game. On that basis, I pick them narrowly too.

Whilst I think Bassendean are outright flag favourites in both League and Reserves (and a good chance in Colts too), any of these Clubs are capable of winning on that final day.

Great writeup Birdman, and I tend to agree with you, I thin all games in both league and reserves will be crackers this weekend. If the weather continues to stay dry we could see some good quality football

Melville host Gosnells in the elimination final - Melville won by 16 points at home earlier in the year, and Gosnells won a close one at home in the second round. I think home ground advantage could favor Melville, but if they play an open game of footy Gosnells pace could worry any side in the finals. Birdman says Gosnells have got players back this week, which will be helpful for them. Im going for Melville by 7 points, with Gosnells having a sad Sunday and a mad Monday on their agenda.

In the reserves elimination final I think Gosnells have been a good reserves side from the games I have watched, However Bullcreek are very structured and if they can win the clearances they can cause Gosnells trouble on a small oval. I will tip Gosnells here by 13 points, their play on style of manic football is exciting to watch.

Bullcreek host Thornlie in the Qualifying final, and to the victors their is an opportunity to take on a rested Bassendean. Bullcreek seem to be back to their early season form having knocked off Thornlie and Basso over the past couple of weeks. Thornlie have continued to win, though not as convincingly as their early season form. I think this will also be a very close game Bullcreek will back their switching/structured game style to give Mugamba shots on goal, and Thornlie will build a game plan around their bigger bodies. Like Birdman im going to pick Thornlie by 3 points. They do have a good record and an ability to win the close wons all year and I think they can get up.....Just.

In the reserves I also think Ocean Ridge can win but this will also be close. I agree Birdman I just think Ridge has a bit more class it can bring into its side. I think this will also be a margin of less than 20 points.

It should be a cracking round of footy, and with the injuries I hear Basso may have in the league I don't think clubs should just give them the flag yet, the next four weeks are always the most important four weeks of the season.

Good luck everyone, may your frothies be cold, and if you have sad Sunday may you not get into to much trouble

Business time of the year where the best and bravest will stand up and the weak will fall away. One surprising result which saw Basso lose last week and in turn led me to throw my ladder prediction in the fire. Love the smell of finals footy.

QUALIFYING FINAL

Bullcreek vs Thornlie
The creek were up and about last week and secured the double chance which definitely surprised me. They do have some silk running threw their list but Thornlie are a bit bigger and stronger and thats what I think counts most when the pressure gets turned up in finals. Looking back over the year Ive been a fan of the way Thornlie go about it and Ive had my doubts about the creek. Im not going to change now and ill back Thornlie in to claim first crack at Basso next week. Thornlie 3 goals.

ELMINATION FINAL

Melville vs Gosnells
The rams know every tiny little nook and cranny of their auskick ground and play it very well. Visiting teams can feel a bit claustrophobic there which tends to lead them to believe they are under more pressure than they actually are. Add in the finals aspect is this is where i think its going to make for a very tough day for Gosnells. Unfortunately i just haven't seen enough polish in their side the couple of times Ive seen them this year to be able to cope with the stock rd bubble. Melville 6 goals.

RESSIES

Hamersley and Ridge should be a cracker game of ressies footy. Should be a big fan base there for this one with both league sides on the sidelines and the ridge colts playing beforehand. Ill go Ridge 4 goals here.

Gosnells and Bullcreek i think might be making up the numbers compared to the other 3 in the 5. Ill go Gossies here by also 4 goals.

The Rams were clinical in their 80-point win over Gosnells - 19.9 to 6.7.

Woods was red-carded in the second quarter when the home side were four goals up and Melville lifted the game up a notch and went into the sheds 49 up at half time.

A second red in the third quarter didn't help the Hawks' cause as Melville kicked nine goals to four in the second half to book their berth in the First Semi at Thornlie.

One out of 4 in my tips for Round 1.

Gosnells hammered in the League game by a very slick Melville - and weren't their supporters howling!!! Apart from a brief period in the last half of the first quarter, Gosnells never looked anything approaching their 2019 season form.

As I expected, the Reserves game was close as both teams struggled on an unusually shaped and sized ground, with an inaccurate Gosnells coming out on top.

Bullcreek got up over Thornlie in the other game. It will be interesting to see if Melville can carry their form onto the much larger Thornlie oval next week.

Hammersley well up over Ocean Ridge in the Reserves, leaving Gosnells a game against Ocean Ridge next Saturday, the only team they haven't beaten in 2019.

What were the cards for??
Did the game get out of hand or did the umpires do a good job of keeping it under control?

I think i managed to get a car park closer to Thornlie than Bull Creek on saturday but arrived just after the start of the 2s game. Typical fiery contest to begin with, hard contested footy from both sides saw OR head into the rooms level with HC... and geez the away rooms at Bull Creek are by far the best in the comp! OR boys perhaps got a little too comfy in there at the break - failing to fire a shot after HT.. HC with too much skill and run, opening up a match winning lead by 3QT and easing to victory in the last.

OR activate their 2nd chance chip and head to Thornlie (might use the same car park?) to face Gosnells.

I stayed and watched the League game until 3QT - not much forum love for Bull Creek but the last 3 weeks have amounted to 3 wins. Bassendean and Thornlie only have 1 each in the same period (Basso did have this week off though). Having seen them on the live stream last week on their home ground they were just as good. They do seem to lack height/bigger bodies (and were easily beaten in the tattoo department by Thornlie) but do have confidence and momentum which in finals is worth its weight in gold.

KTB - I don't think the game got out of control.

It was on the other side of the centre from me, so I didn't really see it. I think Woodsy reacted to some treatment he got in a contested possession, though, as we all know, it's not usually the person who initiates things that get's caught.

Didn't see the other one.

Both red cards were downgraded to a yellows after the game.

so the umpires make a decision to keep players off the ground for the game, then decide to not go through with the reports.

Surely if that's the case then yellow was appropriate in the first place? hardly seems fair to ban a player for the game and then not allow natural justice through due processes.