This weekend sees the 2015 SFNL SAS Security Finals Series kick off for Division 1, Division 2, Under 19s and Thirds Blue clubs, while it's Semi Final weekend for Division 3 and Thirds Red competitions.
88.3 Southern FM Match of the Day Broadcast
Saturday 29th August
Division 2 - Qualifying Final
Keysborough vs Murrumbeena
Jack Barker Oval, Weatherall Road, Cheltenham
Broadcast time 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Sunday 30th August
Division 1 - Elimination Final
St Pauls vs Mordialloc
Springvale Reserve, Newcomen Road, Springvale
Broadcast time 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Sunday Football Netball Show
Tune in on Sunday morning to catch Wiz 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 Springvale Reserve, and will be joined in the van by the great John 'Beany' Bennett as a special guest host, filling in for Coutta. 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 Finals Week 1/2 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 - Qualifying/Elimination Final Preview
With Good Will Hunter
@Will_Hunter89
And so the real stuff begins! After 18 gruelling rounds, the home and away season is finally done and dusted and with only the five best teams of 2015 remain in the competition.
Qualifying Final – Saturday 29th August
East Brighton vs East Malvern (Springvale Reserve)
Both these sides have played some tremendous footy throughout the season and will open the 2015 SFNL SAS Security Finals Series with another cracking contest.
East Brighton have had the wood over the Panthers this season, claiming victory in the two matches between them so far this year. However, both encounters have been relatively close, with the games decided by sides 22 points in Round 13 and just one solitary behind in Round 4.
It would be safe to assume this game will follow the recent trend and be similarly close.
The Vampires have been missing some key players from their side in the last couple of weeks, including Damien Rayson, Dan Reid, Liam Bowman and David De Luca. With some, if not all of these blokes available this week, coach Ben Murphy may have a difficult night on the selection table.
Rayson in particular would be a tremendous addition to a first-rate midfield that is one of the best in the comp. A genuine goalkicking midfielder, he is the sort of player that can turn a game in a quarter. The Panthers would be well aware of this, given he was best afield in their last clash back in Round 13, so expect him to receive some close attention.
But the key battle will be in the air between two ruckman in scintillating form – Vampire Hamish Dahl and Panther Matt Terech. Both players do a mountain of work around the ground, but with East Brighton looking to create stoppages at every opportunity, whoever gives their midfielders first use out of the ruck will be crucial to their chances. In this endeavour the bigger-bodied Dahl will have the advantage.
The Vampires look to be peaking at the perfect time, so expect them to edge out East Malvern and book a date with the Dingoes next week.
Elimination Final – Sunday 30th August
St Pauls vs Mordialloc (Springvale Reserve)
High stakes in this clash between fourth and fifth as for one of these sides there will be no next week.
And both these teams couldn’t enter this do-or-die battle in more different form.
St Pauls have emerged as a premiership threat after storming into the finals on the back of 10 wins from its last 11 matches – the only loss being a controversial one-point defeat to Clayton with a goal in the final few seconds. The Bloods, however, looked like finishing in the top three before dropping four of their last five games to limp into the finals.
Mordialloc will be bolstered by the return of coach Sam Anstey, who has missed weeks with a hamstring injury. His addition will add class to their midfield, which also boasts match-winners in Todd Bastion and Josh Kovarik.
The Dogs will be without young gun James Sziller, who will play in his junior team’s Grand Final on Sunday, but the likes of Brendan Dawes, Brad Gilder and the irrepressible Liam Wilson will help sway the game in their favour.
Springvale Reserve is a similar size and shape to the vast expanses of Mordi’s home deck, Ben Kavanagh Reserve, which will help their chances, but the burning question is whether or not the Bloods can arrest their worrying form slump. The Dogs, meanwhile, continue to defy the critics and go from strength to strength and should advance to the Semi Finals.
Division 2 - Qualifying/Elimination Final Preview
With Jason Barbin
@JBarbin10
Finals are upon us and Cheltenham’s Jack Barker Oval will play host to five Division 2 sides aiming for premiership glory.
Qualifying Final – Saturday 29th August
Murrumbeena vs Keysborough (Jack Barker Oval)
This looms to be one of the most exciting finals clashes in the Southern Football Netball League as the defensive Murrumbeena take on newcomers Keysborough to see who will face Oakleigh Districts in a Semi Final. Both sides each have a victory against the other at home this season but at the neutral venue that is Jack Barker Oval all bets are off and it could be anyone’s game.
Murrumbeena has relied on a strong defence all season and it was the key to its win over the Burra in Round 11. Dean Spanos is the player to watch for the Beena and is a dangerous commodity not only in the midfield but also up forward and works well alongside Anthony Ekberg-Weiss who has earned the ‘go-go gadget arms’ nickname this season for his ability to take contested marks.
Keysborough took two big hits with the injuries to power forward Tyson King and club stalwart Corey Wilkinson. Mat Collett and Davor Rajic have filled the void left by King admirably but will be tested by the defensive strength of Murrumbeena. Will Gayfer and Geoff Humphries are important key position players and playing coach Ryan Goodes will look to lead from the front.
The anticipation for this game is high amongst both sides and the score line will be close. Murrumbeena will go into the match as underdogs but there is something about them that makes me think it could pinch the win.
Murrumbeena by three points.
Elimination Final – Sunday 30th August
Skye vs Caulfield (Jack Barker Oval)
Have injuries finally taken its toll on Skye with its loss to Highett last week? Knowing the Bombers’ ability to bounce back into form quickly I doubt it and I’m looking forward to seeing them put their best foot forward on Sunday. Caulfield is no pushover however, and has played itself into good form the past several weeks.
Coach Ben Walker has been a star for Skye this season playing up forward and in the midfield, and has booted 37 goals for the year and will be the primary focal point on Sunday. The likes of Adam Beness, Aaron Harper and Jim Martinson will also be important in Skye gaining the upper hand against the Bears and taking out the win.
Caulfield has been up and down at times this season but showed its prowess in the win over Oakleigh last week with full forward Adam Connell in form with five goals. The big man has kicked 48 goals this season and has peaked at the right time for the Bears alongside Chris Lewis and fellow big man Adam Ballard who be vital for Caulfield to stave off finals elimination.
This game as all the markings of a classic finals encounter and both sides will be relying on the strength of their top-tier talent to get them over the line. Skye has been patchy at times this season but will go into the match as favourites and should get out on top.
Skye by 15 points.
Division 3 - Semi Final Preview
With Andrew Paloczi
@Apaloczi
Second Semi Final – Saturday 29th August
Black Rock vs Mount Waverley (Heatherton Recreation Reserve)
Mount Waverley and Black Rock meet in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. The Jets deserved to finish top of the ladder, but will be in for a stern test against a Mountain Lions’ team that was superb in its Qualifying Final.
Black Rock comes into this contest well rested after having the first week of the finals off. Teams coming off a bye often seem to take a while to get going, and the Jets must ensure this isn’t the case this week. It would be difficult to play catch up footy against such a high-quality opponent as Mount Waverley.
Prior to watching the first week of finals action, this tipster would have gone with Black Rock as the winner in this one, but the Mountain Lions commanded respect and it would not be a surprise to see them claim a narrow win.
First Semi Final – Sunday 30th August
Ashwood vs Moorabbin (Heatherton Recreation Reserve)
Ashwood starts as a heavy favourite against Moorabbin in Sunday’s Semi Final clash. This seems a little strange considering that the Magpies finished a couple of rungs below the Kangaroos on the ladder.
However, the Magpies finished the home and away season strongly and started the finals in imposing fashion. They have an unbeaten record against the Kangaroos this season and gave them a twelve-goal thrashing in round 18.
Moorabbin would need a major turnaround in form after being outclassed by Mount Waverley in week one of the finals.
The Kangaroos were hurt by the absence of captain Matthew Johansson when they met Ashwood recently. Although he played in the Qualifying Final he was hampered by a leg problem.
A win by the Kangaroos this week will require a concerted team effort.
However, Ashwood’s Elimination Final display against CPL was an emphatic statement that the Magpies are a chance for the flag, and it is difficult to see the Kangaroos impeding their progress.
