This weekend sees the 2015 SFNL SAS Security Finals Series kick off with Qualifying and Elimination Finals for Division 3 and Thirds competitions.
88.3 Southern FM Match of the Day Broadcast
Saturday 22nd August
Division 1 - Round 18
Mordialloc vs East Brighton
Ben Kavanagh Reserve, McDonald Street, Mordialloc
Broadcast time 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Sunday 23rd August
Division 3 - Elimination Final
Carrum Patterson Lakes vs Ashwood
Meade Reserve, Haughton Road, Clayton
Broadcast time 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Sunday Football Netball Show
Tune in on Sunday morning to catch Wiz, Coutta and the Bug as they discuss all things Southern Football Netball League on The Sunday Football Netball Show. This week they are out of the Southern FM studios and broadcasting live from Meade Reserve, Clayton. The Sunday Football Netball Show is proudly supported by Ivan’s Pies, and by simply tuning in for the latest news and views, you could win some delicious prizes courtesy of Ivan’s Pies.
On air 10.30am – 12.00pm (88.3 Southern FM) or listen direct from sfnllive.com.au.
Podcasts of last week’s broadcast match and Sunday Footy Show are available above, via ‘Media’, then ‘Radio’, then ‘Podcasts’.
The Round 18/Finals Week 1 SFNL Record can be downloaded by clicking HERE. Earlier issues are available via ‘Media’, then ‘SFNL Record’.
This week’s winners of the
BLK Player of the Round and
Leader Shooting Star Nomination have been announced – to see who’s won / been nominated, click on the ‘News’ option above (select ‘BLK Player of the Round’ or ‘Leader Shooting Star’).
Division 1 - Round 18 Preview
With Good Will Hunter
@Will_Hunter89
Round 18 is finally upon us and aside from the battle for the minor premiership, most ladder positions are already locked in. The sides outside the finals will be looking to finish their year on a high, while the top five teams will be keen to gather build momentum heading into September.
Chelsea Heights vs St Kilda City (Beazley Reserve)
There hasn’t been much to smile about for these two teams this year. The Heighters have saluted just once this year and will be relegated to Division 2 next season, so would love to give their home fans something to cheer about in their final game. However, St Kilda City showed that their young kids may have what it takes to help the club return to Division 1 glory in future years. On their performance last week they will be tough to beat.
Mordialloc vs East Brighton (Ben Kavanagh Reserve)
For much of the season, as Mordialloc continued to win games and prove wrong all their doubters, they looked destined to finish top three and give the premiership race a real shake up. But their last few weeks have been quite disappointing, with just one win coming from their last four matches. They would be desperate to arrest this form slump before a likely date with St Pauls in an Elimination Final in a fortnight. Unfortunately, they come up against an East Brighton side that looks to have hit its best form at just the right time. The minor premiership is still a possibility for the Vampires, who sit second on percentage behind Dingley, but a loss here will hand that title to the Dingoes. No doubt the Bloods play the vast expanses of Ben Kavanagh Reserve very well, but on form it’s hard to go past East Brighton.
Bentleigh vs St Pauls (Bentleigh Reserve)
St Pauls’ form over the second half of the season has been extraordinary, giving the old two-finger salute to all the pundits that wrote them off when they were 1-4. They’ve charged into September with some memorable wins, despite losing key personnel along the way. The Demons haven’t quite been good enough in 2015 and will be keen to finish their season strongly in this local derby. But the Dogs will enter this game as heavy favourites and should win comfortably.
Cheltenham vs Clayton (Jack Barker Oval)
Injuries and poor form have been the factor behind the Rosellas’ spectacular downfall. After Round 7 they sat fifth with a 4-3 record, but 10 straight losses has seen their season completely fall apart. Clayton, meanwhile, will finish their year as the best side out of the top five, and aspirations for a finals berth in 2016. Can’t see Cheltenham winning here.
Dingley vs East Malvern (Souter Oval)
This will be a tremendous contest between two genuine premiership contenders. With a top-three berth already secured, East Malvern have little to gain from this match, however, the outcome of this clash will decide the Panthers’ Qualifying Final opponent – either East Brighton or Dingley. The equation is simple for the Dingoes – win this clash and they claim their second straight minor premiership, earn a week off and find themselves one win away from another Grand Final. With that as motivation, expect Dingley to take the points here in front of their home crowd.
Division 2 - Round 18 Preview
With Jason Barbin
@JBarbin10
With one round to go in the Southern Football League Division 2 home and away season the top four teams are set in stone but the battle for fifth spot rages on.
Doveton Eagles vs Murrumbeena (Power Reserve)
Doveton are still a chance to climb off the bottom of the ladder and will be throwing everything but the kitchen sink at Murrumbeena on Saturday. The Beena will be prepared for the onslaught and just need a win to secure a top three finish and the double chance come finals time. The stakes are high, but Murrumbeena has worked too hard to let the double chance slip away.
Murrumbeena by 31 points
Oakleigh Districts vs Caulfield (Princes Highway Reserve)
It would take a lot to knock Oakleigh Districts off the perch that is the top of the Division 2 ladder but with finals on the line for Caulfield, expect the Bears to give it all they’ve got. In past seasons this is the kind of game that Oakleigh would drop, but the way the Oaks are going this year I can’t see them losing. But an upset could be on the cards.
Oakleigh District by 10 points
Heatherton vs Keysborough (Ross Street Reserve)
Keysborough will look to bounce back in this game with the slim hope that top spot on the ladder is still within reach. It would take a big win over the Tonners to get the job done and if Tyson King was still in the side I think it could be within the realms of possibility. But with King done for the year the Burra will win but not by enough to sneak into top spot if Oakleigh lose.
Keysborough by 54 points
Springvale Districts vs Hampton (Springvale Reserve)
This game will be no pushover for Hampton and Springvale are always a better side when it plays at home. But with a spot in the finals on the line and the Hammers’ rival playing against the top side, fifth spot is there for the taking and all Hampton has got to do is win. The equation is simple: win or go home and I expect the Hammers to win.
Hampton by 24 points
Highett vs Skye (Turner Road Reserve)
While it is unlikely that Skye will move back into the top three, the Bombers will still be looking to make it three wins in a row heading into the finals and keep the momentum going in their direction. Highett will be looking to finish the year on a good note and will be a good test for the depth of Skye in the week preceding the finals. Should be a good clash.
Skye by 19 points
Division 3 - Qualifying/Elimination Final Preview
With Andrew Paloczi
@Apaloczi
Qualifying Final
Mount Waverley vs Moorabbin (Meade Reserve)
Mount Waverley and Moorabbin battle it out for the right to challenge Black Rock for a spot in the Grand Final. The Kangaroos will be smarting after a disappointing end to the home and away season and the Mountain Lions enter the finals full of confidence after a huge win over South Yarra.
When these sides clashed at Mayfield Park early in the season it was hard to predict the outcome, with Moorabbin having recently joined the division. The Kangaroos won by a point, inflicting the Mountain Lions’ first home loss in over a season.
Mount Waverley turned the tables in Round 13, winning by eight points.
The Mountain Lions’ Luke Galle has recorded 61 goals this season, and has the versatility to contribute around the ground.
For Moorabbin, captain Matthew Johansson is critical and was greatly missed in Round 18 after suffering a hamstring issue. He spends plenty of time up forward, but can drop back to take crucial marks in defence. The Kangaroos need him back and, if he doesn’t play, will require a big contribution from Trent Davey.
Another key factor in this final is Mount Waverley’s playing coach, Jarrod Wilkin. He is an imposing figure renowned for his crucial marks in the backline.
The Mountain Lions should be refreshed after a Round 17 bye, and this may prove decisive against a Moorabbin side that has not had a rest since Round 12.
It should be an enthralling encounter with plenty of tough, high-pressure footy. A close margin is likely, but Mount Waverley will earn the right to test itself against the might of Black Rock.
Elimination Final
Carrum Patterson Lakes vs Ashwood (Meade Reserve)
For Carrum Patterson Lakes and Ashwood there are no second chances. CPL dispatched the Magpies by close to a hundred points in Round 4. Ashwood hosted the next clash between the sides and, although the Lions triumphed again, it was by just nine points.
Ashwood coach, Mick Rossborough expressed confidence in his side’s ability to topple CPL this time around, praising the Magpies’ tackling pressure in Round 18 and the work of his backline. Ashwood needs to apply plenty of pressure to subdue dangerous Lions’ forwards Trevor March and Joel Dalton.
In positive news for the Magpies, Rossborough is hopeful that Josh Stanton can return after being sidelined with a broken finger.
Covering the loss of Paul Wineberg to injury presents a challenge for Ashwood as he is a strong marking target and leads the club’s goal kicking list. However, the Magpies have other prominent goal scorers in Chris Meyers and Frank Martinicchio.
Only four points separate the teams on the ladder. Ashwood is the only side in the finals that didn’t get the benefit of a bye, but CPL’s break came way back in Round 10.
CPL will go into this match with plenty of confidence after winning six of its last seven games, but Ashwood has reason to believe in itself after a couple of big wins in a row.
The feeling is that CPL will scrape home by about three goals, and that the loss of Wineberg’s on field leadership and presence will be costly for the Magpies in such a big match.
