CLUB XVIII FINALS START THIS WEEKEND

Andrew Leonard

For 10 teams in the VAFA its all about that one day in August. Whilst that phrase doesn’t quite have the same poetry to it as that one day in September a premiership is a premiership no matter what month of the year it is in. That’s what 10 Club XVIII sides will be vying for as their finals campaigns kick off this Sunday at Sportscover Arena in Elsternwick and Central Reserve in Glen Waverley.
There is a final six in Club XVIII Section 1 with all three matches to be played at Sportscover Arena on Sunday starting from 9.30am with two teams to be eliminated from this weekend. In Section 2 at Central Reserve we have the first and second semi-finals with the winner of the second semi going straight through to a grand final. 
Many outside of the amateurs don’t quite understand the Club XVIII competition, with many believing it is not that serious and all a bit of fun. Try coming down on Sunday to one of the venues and you will see exactly how serious these sides are in trying to pinch one last flag before father time taps them on the shoulder for the umpteenth time. 
In Premier football we are back to Saturday fixtures for the remaining four rounds and the matches with most riding on them are Old Scotch hosting Old Trinity and Collegians hosting Old Carey. Carey are currently fourth and face second placed collegians who they are yet to beat since their arrival in the Premier section last year. If Carey lose then Old Scotch in fifth should be ready to pounce and will move into the four if they defeat Trinity at Camberwell Sports Ground. 
However Old Trinity are stuck in one of the relegation places and have had a happy knack of escaping in recent seasons so will be fired up for the match against the Cardinals. In other games, University Blues also in a relegation fight host Old Xaverians, De La Salle host St Bernards and a rejuvenated St Bedes / Mentone Tigers head to bottom side Caulfield Grammarians. 
Tickets for the Super Sunday of Finals at Sportscover Arena and Central reserve can be purchased at the gate on game day. 
How it all works: 
The Club XVIII (1) finals series will be based on a final six model. Each week will be as follows:
Week 1:
There will be three finals with the following matches ranked according to the ladder at the conclusion of the home and away season. The matches will be as follows:

• 1v6
• 2v5
• 3v4

Week 2:
At the conclusion of week one of the finals, the three winners and the highest ranked loser will progress to the preliminary finals. The teams will be ranked in the followingorder:

• 1st Highest Ranked Winner
• 2nd Second Highest Ranked Winnerrd
• 3rd Third Highest Ranked Winner
• 4th Highest Ranked Loser

Preliminary Final 1:2nd v 3rd
Preliminary Final 2:1st v 4th
Week 3:
The Grand Final will be between the two winners of the Preliminary finals. The home team will be the highest ranked winner from the Preliminary Final.
For Club XVIII (2)
The finals series will consist of the standard four team competition with first and second semi finals, then a preliminary final followed by the grand final.