Grand Final Previews

DIVISION 1 with JASON BARBIN

Division 1 Seniors
St Pauls v East Brighton
Sunday September 22 – Springvale Reserve – 2:30pm


This Season:
Round 2 – Sunday April 21 – Hurlingham Reserve
East Brighton 9.6.60 lost to St Pauls 17.17.119

Goal Kickers:
East Brighton:
M. Jamieson 3, B. Douthie 3, T. Mahoney, D. Francis, B. Hope
St Pauls:
L. James 8, A. Gilbert 3, J. Bruno 2, P. Mercoulia 2, T. Blackwood, K. Knox

Best Players:
East Brighton:
B. Douthie, M. Jamieson, M. O'Rourke, B. Crawley, M. Backman, T. Sabec
St Pauls:
P. Mercoulia, L. James, M. Marasco, J. Allan, J. Bruno, T. Blackwood

 

Round 11 – Saturday June 29 – McKinnon Reserve
St Pauls 6.8.44 lost to East Brighton 7.13.55

Goal Kickers:
St Pauls:
J. Bruno 2, A. McIntyre , C. Cathcart , N. Gilbert , A. Gilbert
East Brighton:
D. De Luca 2, D. Reid , D. Williamson , B. Douthie , D. Francis , T. Gray

Best Players:
St Pauls:
M. Marasco, C. McCarthy, L. Wilson, K. Hall, T. McIntyre, N. Carmody
East Brighton:
M. Jamieson, D. Reid, T. Gilham, L. Bowman, N. Stewart, T. Sabec

 

2nd Semi Final – Saturday September 7 – Springvale Reserve
St Pauls 7.14.56 lost to East Brighton 8.9.57

Goal Kickers:
St Pauls:
L. James 5, R. Best , C. Cathcart
East Brighton:
D. Francis 3, B. Douthie 2, B. Hope 2, D. Williamson

Best Players:
St Pauls:
P. Mercoulia, M. Marasco, J. Steet, L. Wilson, L. James, B. Dawes
East Brighton:
N. Stewart, M. Garvey, T. Sabec, D. Williamson, B. Douthie, T. Gilham

 

This is it. The one week in September that 10 teams in Division 1 dreamed of playing in at the start of the season. But after 18 Home and Away games and 3 weeks of finals, it comes down to 2 teams; East Brighton vs St Pauls.

The two best teams go head to head in the 2013 Southern Football League Grand Final. Its 1st vs 2nd in a match-up that will go down to the wire. East Brighton has dealt St Pauls their only 2 losses for the year and will have a slight mental edge going into Sunday’s contest. They also have the advantage of seeing just how pressure can dismantle the St Pauls game plan. Dingley did it last week for a quarter but eventually ran out of legs. The Vampires are a seasoned football team with the fitness and skill to bring 4 quarters of pressure to the table.

Both sides are evenly matched all over the field. Barring a suspension from the tribunal for Matt O’Rourke, he should match up against gun forward Luke James after having done a good job in the semi-final match-up. Despite James kicking 5 goals, he had very little influence in the final quarter of that game which was a key factor for East Brighton winning the match.

Nick Gilbert will have the task of stopping Dean Francis. Francis kicked 3 goals in the semi-final but only 1 came from a mark inside 50. If he can clunk a few early and raise his confidence, it will go a long way towards the Vampires chances of winning the game.

In the midfield, the likes of Liam Wilson, Adam McIntyre and Jay Bruno will go one on one with Ben Douthie, Dean Williamson and Barry Hope in what should be tough contests all round.

Each team has several X factors who demand the respect from opposition coaches. For the Vampires Dan Reid and Tait Sabec possess the speed and marking ability to be dangerous at both ends of the ground. Look for Paul Howroyd to put some time into them on game day. For the Dogs Peter Mercoulia and Matthew Herbstreit are two players that have always impressed when they take the field. Both have good silky skills and the ability to break the lines and set up play both from the middle of the ground and from half back. Ben Murphy will no doubt look into who matches up against those players on Sunday.

This is a hard game to tip as both sides will put in 100% effort. But with East Brighton having won 14 games in a row, it is hard to tip against them. The one thing you can count on is that this game will be close.

East Brighton to be the premiers by 4 points.

 

Division 1 Reserves
St Pauls v Chelsea Heights
Sunday September 22 – Springvale Reserve – 12:00pm


This Season:
Round 3 – Saturday April 27 – McKinnon Reserve
St Pauls 8.15.63 def. Chelsea Heights 3.5.23

Goal Kickers:
St Pauls:
T. Roberts 2, J. Marasco , C. Vial , J. Taranto , C. Herbstreit , J. Brown , D. Wyld
Chelsea Heights:
S. Matheson , D. Costante , C. Hanns

Best Players:
St Pauls:
E. Lengyel, J. Fisher, J. Kreymborg, P. Tolongs, J. Marsden-Sayce, T. Roberts
Chelsea Heights:
C. Hanns, T. Barlow, M. Bastin, D. Banfield, N. Papachristofilou`, A. Chalmers

 

Round 13 – Saturday July 20 – Beazley Reserve
Chelsea Heights 2.7.19 lost to St Pauls 6.8.44

Goal Kickers:
Chelsea Heights:
C. Gates , B. Alderso
St Pauls:
B. Caracher, J. Marasco, B. Hayes, J. Wardley, J. Fisher, H. Pratt

Best Players:
Chelsea Heights:
D. Banfield, M. Washington, B. Atherton, D. Costante, S. Cochrane, C. Engel
St Pauls:
B. Caracher, J. Marasco, B. Hayes, J. Wardley, J. Fisher, H. Pratt”

 

Qualifying Finals – Saturday August 31 – Springvale Reserve
St Pauls 4.10.34 lost to Chelsea Heights 7.9.51

Goal Kickers:
St Pauls:
R. Smith , M. Bowles , J. Brown , J. Blenkinsop
Chelsea Heights:
C. Gates , M. Banfield , S. Matheson , S. Cochrane , D. Costante , C. Hanns , L. Newton

Best Players:
St Pauls:
B. Hayes, R. Peet, B. McCarthy, J. Kreymborg, R. Smith, J. Marasco
Chelsea Heights:
M. Terech, M. Banfield, M. Bastin, L. Newton, C. Gates, M. Washington

 

All three previous meetings between these two teams have been low-scoring, scrappy affairs, and it took until the qualifying final three weeks ago for Chelsea Heights to figure out how to limit St Pauls from scoring heavily. If Chelsea Heights can replicate what it did in that final then they should get the job done. However, the job will be difficult as St Pauls are a very good side who like to congest games - James Spencer.

 

 

DIVISION 2 with THE FOOTY TRAGIC

Division 2 Seniors:
Bentleigh v Mordialloc
Saturday September 21 – Meade Reserve – 2:30pm


This Season:
Round 7 – Saturday May 25 – Ben Kavanagh Reserve
Mordialloc 12.12.84 def. Bentleigh 6.6.42

Goal Kickers:
Mordialloc:
N. Corda 2, A. McMahon 2, J. Kovarik , M. Barnhoorn , D. Marguglio , N. Evans , T. Bastion , A. Scafidi, R. Williams , S. Lawton
Bentleigh:
A. Lee 2, M. Laskey , B. Lawford , P. Magnifico , M. Budds

Best Players:
Mordialloc:
T. Bastion, A. Scafidi, D. Lynch, L. McIver, M. Barnhoorn, N. Corda

Bentleigh:
S. Lawry, B. Blow, M. Budds, B. Lawford, K. Murphy, E. Shawcroft

 

Round 16 – Saturday August 10 – Bentleigh Reserve
Bentleigh 9.15.69 def. Mordialloc 5.10.40

Goal Kickers:
Bentleigh:
L. Morrison 2, J. Robertson 2, K. Rodwell 2, R. Murphy , B. Lawford , D. Jones
Mordialloc:
J. Cooke 2, C. Roggero , J. Pennycuick , A. McMahon

Best Players:
Bentleigh:
C. Fidler, T. Backman, L. Delany, A. Lee, N. James, B. Lawford
Mordialloc:
T. Bastion, C. Neville, M. Barnhoorn, D. Lynch, D. Marguglio, N. Corda

 

We have arrived at the Grand Final: Bentleigh v Mordialloc. They have been in combat twice so far this season with mixed results. Mordialloc were 42 point winners at Mordialloc way back in May, however the return bout at Bentleigh Reserve in August saw the tables turned with the home team their winning by 29 points.

Mordialloc has finished well in their three finals matches so far, almost running over the top of Oakleigh District in the Qualifying Final, running away with it against Murrumbeena in the 1st Semi Final, and falling over the line last week against Oakleigh District again.

Bentleigh on the other hand had a week off in the first week of finals, and had a 20 point victory in the 2nd Semi, giving them the week’s rest again to get themselves primed for this week's Premiership opportunity.

Who has had the best preparation? Will Bentleigh be rusty? Is Mordialloc fit enough to play 4 finals games in 4 weeks to win and move back into Division 1? We’ll all know the answers to these questions about 4:30 pm this Saturday. There is no reason why this game shouldn’t be a ripper. At the time of writing this report, the weather prediction was for 19?, 0% chance of rain, partly cloudy and light winds, west to northwesterly. Seems like a perfect day for footy (if you can trust the weather bureau)!

Those of you who have been following my tipping during the season will know that I’m no expert, but I think Bentleigh should be Premiers in 2013 and will leave Division 2 next year. Mordialloc will give them a run for their money, but I think by the 2nd quarter, Bentleigh will have blown any rust away from playing only 2 games in 4 weeks and will eventually shake Mordialloc off. It’s an enormous effort at any level of football to win the Flag playing all four weeks of the Finals. If anyone can do it, Mordialloc are capable, but it comes down to the opposition they are playing and Bentleigh have finished the season in fine form, holding top position for the last 4 weeks of the Home and Away season and getting over Oakleigh District in the 2nd Semi. It’ll be a “Grand Old Flag” at the end of the day!

 

Division 2 Reserves:
Bentleigh v Skye
Saturday September 21 – Meade Reserve – 12:00pm


This Season:
Round 9 – Saturday June 15 – Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve
Skye 5.7.37 lost to Bentleigh 6.8.44

Goal Kickers:
Skye:
W. Earle 2, T. Kitchin , M. Kalviskis , B. Nicol
Bentleigh:
C. Sharp 2, A. Banks , A. Clough , L. Morrison , B. Bennett

Best Players:
Skye:
C. Lester, S. Solomonidis, P. Malone, M. Kalviskis, S. Murnane, W. Earle
Bentleigh:
C. Lester, S. Solomonidis, P. Malone, M. Kalviskis, S. Murnane, W. Earle

 

Round 18 – Saturday August 24 – Bentleigh Reserve
Bentleigh 12.13.85 def. Skye 12.5.77

Goal Kickers:
Bentleigh:
C. Sharp 5, A. Banks 2, C. Petropoulos , J. Everitt , O. Box , M. Grech , A. Clough
Skye:
M. Kalviskis 3, B. Evans 2, W. Earle , N. Harford, S. Werner , J. Dunn , T. Kitchin , B. Espie , N. Papachristofilou

Best Players:
Bentleigh:
M. Grech, C. Kinsella, J. Prantzos, B. Richardson, T. Stach, M. Laskey
Skye:
S. Werner, D. Dart, C. Smith, H. Burridge, P. Malone, N. Webb

 

2nd Semi Final – Saturday September 7 – Meade Reserve
Bentleigh 12.13.85 def. Skye 8.6.54

Goal Kickers:
Bentleigh:
A. Banks 3, M. Grech , A. Clough , S. Lambert , B. Richardson , M. Laskey , A. Hendry , C. Sharp , C. Hart , O. Box
Skye:
W. Earle 3, K. Tucker , B. Evans , N. Webb , P. Malone , M. Kalviskis

Best Players:
Bentleigh:
M. Grech, A. West, B. Zylbersztajn, L. Ireson, J. Prantzos, S. Lambert
Skye:
C. DeLuca, P. Cooke, D. Parkinson, P. Malone, L. Scott, B. Evans

 

This will be a very tough task for Skye, having been rolled all three times these teams have met by the best side in the comp, Bentleigh. It’s very hard to go past Bentleigh here but you have to give Skye a chance after their very impressive win over Murrumbeena last week - James Spencer.

 

 

DIVISION 3 with GOOD WILL HUNTER

Division 3 Seniors:
Doveton v Carrum Patterson Lakes
Saturday September 21 – Jack Barker Oval – 2:30pm


This Season:
Round 6 – Saturday May 18 – Power Reserve
Doveton 10.10.70 def. Carrum Patterson Lakes 7.5.47

Goal Kickers:
Doveton:
P. Dye 4, R. Ramsdale 2, S. Parlapiano 2, N. Wilson , C. Wilson
Carrum Patterson Lakes:
J. Dalton 3, D. Graves , A. Haley , J. Williams , S. Richards

Best Players:
Doveton:
B. Hidgcock, K. Bundy, C. Wilson, S. Parlapiano, J. O’Neill, P. Dye
Carrum Patterson Lakes:
D. Graves, A. Lihuillier, S. Richards, J. Dalton, A. Lucas, D. Cott

 

Round 15 – Saturday August 3 – Roy Dore Reserve
Carrum Patterson Lakes 2.12.24 lost to Doveton 12.12.84

Goal Kickers:
Carrum Patterson Lakes:
C. Hand , D. Graves
Doveton:
P. Dye 3, E. Samadi 3, P. Davis 2, N. Graeske , N. Paynter , C. Wilson , T. Humphries

Best Players:
Carrum Patterson Lakes:
A. Haley, D. Graves, N. Scott, L. Walter, P. Mauracher, W. Judd
Doveton:
T. Graeske, M. O’Callaghan, E. Samadi, D. Thomas, N. Wilson, M. Mott

 

2nd Semi Final – Saturday September 7 – Jack Barker Oval
Doveton 15.14.104 def. Carrum Patterson  Lakes 7.8.50

Goal Kickers:
Doveton:
R. Ramsdale 5, D. Ramsdale 3, C. Wilson 3, J. O’Neill 2, P. Dye , P. Davis
Carrum Patterson Lakes:
A. Lihuillier 3, L. Walter 2, S. Cormack , D. Graves

Best Players:
Doveton:
D. Thomas, E. Samadi, J. O’Neill, B. Hidgcock, K. Bundy, S. Ognjenovic
Carrum Patterson Lakes:
N. Scott, A. Lihuillier, J. Dent, P. Mauracher, S. Cormack, B. Willson

 

We are now left with just two teams fighting it out for premiership glory.

And it will be Carrum Patterson Lakes taking on the Doveton Eagles in the Division 3 Grand Final on Saturday afternoon.

These two sides have met three times this season with Doveton prevailing in all of them by an average margin of 46 points. Their last encounter was in the Semi Final a fortnight ago with the minor premiers registering a nine-goal victory.

The Eagles are capable of kicking big scores with Peter Dye and Ricky Ramsdale both featuring among the league’s leading goalkickers. Dye was well held by James Dent in their last encounter, so this shapes as another terrific match-up. Peter Thompson will again have his hands full keeping Ramsdale quiet.

But the key to Doveton’s success this year has been its midfield dominance. Matt O’Callaghan, Corrie Wilson, Brett Hidgcock and Enayte Samadi have all been outstanding this season, while Jarrod O’Neill and Steven Ognjenovic are both potential game-breakers. Carrum Patterson Lakes’ onballers were tremendous in their attack on the footy last week and if Cormack, Wilson, Stephens, Nigel Scott and Warren Judd can replicate that effort, they are a chance to cause an upset.

The bottom line is whichever side wins this midfield battle will ultimately win the match.

Carrum Patterson Lakes have been the Cinderella story of Division 3, but unfortunately I don’t think this fairytale will have a happy ending. The undefeated Doveton will be too strong and I am tipping 2013 to be the year of the Eagle.

 

Division 3 Reserves:
Doveton v Carrum Patterson Lakes
Saturday September 21 – Jack Barker Oval – 12:00pm


This Season:
Round 6 – Saturday May 18 – Power Reserve
Doveton 27.17.179 def. Carrum Patterson Lakes 2.4.16

Goal Kickers:
Doveton:
A. Arena 4, J. Duggan 4, S. Paynter 3, G. Tempany 3, S. Thompson 3, H. Wanganeen 2, R. Drysdale 2, B. Painter 2, T. Hillman , D. Mawhinney , M. Harris , N. Head
Carrum Patterson Lakes:
T. McKenzie , M. Dicker

Best Players:
Doveton:
T. Humphries, D. Mawhinney, N. Paynter, G. Tempany, S. Paynter, A. Arena
Carrum Patterson Lakes:
P. Weber, J. Schefman, G. Alexander, Z. Horsley, M. Slinger, C. Barton

 

Round 15 – Saturday August 3 – Roy Dore Reserve
Carrum Patterson Lakes 7.19.61 lost to Doveton 10.5.65

Goal Kickers:
Carrum Patterson Lakes:
M. Scoble 2, N. Gage 2, J. Bertrand , T. McKenzie , Z. Horsley
Doveton:
S. Paynter 2, A. Arena 2, J. Fraser , J. Duggan , D. Kilpatrick , S. Thompson , B. Painter , B. Oakford-White

Best Players:
Carrum Patterson Lakes:
J. Bertrand, D. Warren, G. Alexander, N. Gage, M. Dicker, G. Townsend
Doveton:
S. Paynter, J. Fraser, S. Mottau, M. Harris, A. Rakic, S. Bennett

 

Another tough ask for Carrum Patterson Lakes, although the club are a better chance of a flag in this game. Carrum Patterson Lakes played a close game against Doveton Round 15 that they really should have won, and then an 80 point thumping of Sandown last week, with a 14 goal to one second half really making a statement to top side Doveton that this game will be a tight one - James Spencer.

 

 

UNDER 19s with GOOD WILL HUNTER

Under 19s
Bentleigh v Murrumbeena
Sunday September 22 – Springvale Reserve – 9:30am


This Season:
Round 2 – Saturday April 20 – Murrumbeena Park
Murrumbeena 15.13.103 def. Bentleigh 7.11.53

Goal Kickers:
Murrumbeena:
D. Entwistle 4, A. Bradley 3, H. Kerstens 2, D. Turkington , J. Curtis , E. Brown , J. Meredith , S. Rogers , D. Hargrave
Bentleigh:
L. Hogton-Hewish 2, B. Stokes , C. Yenofkian , R. Moriarty , B. Lawford , M. Smith

Best Players:
Murrumbeena:
C. Rundell, D. Hargrave, S. Moloney, D. Entwistle, H. Kerstens, A. Bradley
Bentleigh:
B. Blow, M. Smith, L. Hogton-Hewish, M. Troutbeck, B. Lawford, M. Lanham

 

Round 11 – Saturday June 29 – Bentleigh Reserve
Bentleigh 10.12.72 def. Murrumbeena 6.8.44

Goal Kickers:
Bentleigh:
L. Dimattina 4, N. Lowrie 2, J. Colyvan 2, A. Walker , J. Watts
Murrumbeena:
P. Lithgow , J. Curtis , J. Meredith , M. Hendley, H. Kerstens

Best Players:
Bentleigh:
J. Watts, M. Lanham, K. Heaphy-Wemyss, S. Galileos, P. Lambrinos, L. Dimattina
Murrumbeena:
H. Turkington, H. Kerstens, J. Meredith, D. Turkington, S. Moloney, B. Plate

 

Murrumbeena were the last side to defeat the Demons back in Round 2. Since then they have won 15 on the trot to claim the minor premiership. But Bentleigh’s mammoth percentage of 310.54% is what is most impressive and serves as evidence of its ability to kick big scores. Their goalscoring prowess comes from the likes of Liam Dimatinna, Chris Yenofkian and Liam Hogton-Hewish. This star-studded forward line will certainly cause problems for Murrumbeena, despite the terrific form of defender Harley Turkington.

Murrumbeena’s impressive on-ball brigade of Jackson Meredith, Will Nash, Jacob Curtis and Darcy Hargrave have all performed well on the vast expanses of Springvale Reserve during this finals series. But they will need to continue their stellar form and thoroughly outplay their Demons counterparts in the middle if Beena are to be victorious.

I am expecting a tremendous contest between two super sides, but I’m tipping Bentleigh to claim back-to-back flags.

 

 

Thirds:
Dingley v Mt Waverley
Saturday September 21 – Jack Barker Oval – 9:30am


This Season:
Round 4 – Saturday May 4 – Souter Oval
Dingley 9.4.58 def. Mt Waverley 6.6.42

Goal Kickers:
Dingley:
S. Morris 3, A. Rizzi 2, J. O'Brien 2, M. Wonnacott , A. Bruce
Mt Waverley:
No details available

Best Players:
Dingley:
P. Rizzi, R. Costantino, S. Morris, J. Smith, M. Wonnacott, B. Simpson
Mt Waverley:
C. Cox, L. Morrey, J. Neander, N. Richardson, J. Dillon, T. Nichol

 

Round 15 – Saturday August 3 – Mayfield Reserve
Mt Waverley 7.9.51 lost to Dingley 14.10.94

Goal Kickers:
Mt Waverley:
N. Anglim 2, R. Mikkelsen 2, C. Draper , S. Meredith , J. Burns
Dingley:
S. Morris 4, M. Moore 3, D. McLean 2, J. O'Brien , D. Cook , P. Smith , J. Keyt , P. Phan

Best Players:
Mt Waverley:
N. Anglim, R. Green, D. Borrie, K. Anglim, R. Mikkelsen, B. Manga
Dingley:
M. Jeddou, P. Smith, F. Costantino, M. Wonnacott, D. McLean, H. Brown

 

This will be a challenge for Mt Waverley; having come from fifth and beaten fourth, third and second, they now must beat top side Dingley if they are to win the flag. Will their dream run to a grand final continue, or will a fresh Dingley side pull through and capture the Thirds premiership? - James Spencer.

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