U19 FINALS PREVIEW

Under 19 Premier
2nd Semi Final
Old Xavierians  v St Bedes/Mentone Tigers
We come into finals and see the best under age football in action. Who will stand up and who will find the pace too quick? These two sides have been the season’s front runners and deserve to finish top two.
Old Xavs have a long history as a finals contender and will want to go straight into the grand final. St Bedes/Mentone Tigers will give everything and it will come down to who can play the best football on the day. Coach Joe Rush, with years of finals experience, will demand a win. Xavs will have great support from Prowse, Batten, Midgley, Healey and Skene while St Bedes/Mentone will look to Antonuccio, Capp, Neaves, Nicoll and Cross to fire. Get there early for this classic block buster. Coach Steve D’Andrea believes the Tigers area real chance.
On form the Xavs will make the Grand Final again! 
1st Semi Final
St Bernards v St Kevins
Two great sides that love finals footy. Round 18 was a preview of what to expect. If the Skobber big guns in Dolan, Dimattina and Salty fire, they will be right in with a chance. The Skobbers will see five players return this week, adding strength across all lines. Last week’s game saw St Bernards give up the lead after two undisciplined passages of play gave the Skobbers two easy goals.
The Bernards will look for Ayres, Russell and Scarpino to set the tone in what will be a tough contest. First year coach Daniel Bell has done a great job with the Skobbers while Rocky Iannello goes into this game with the belief that the Bernards are finals specialists. St Kevins in a tight one.
Under 19 Section 2
1st Semi Parkdale v Collegians
Parkdale have had a great season and are more than capable on their day but Collegians have the ability to upset the Vultures. Key players for the Vultures include Emmerson, Dickie, Welch and Edwards. 
Collegians were up and down earlier in the season but have found format the right time. Pocknee and Hibbins need to give them drive for any chance of a win.
This is a winner takes all game and the strength and depth of Parkdale will win through to the Prelim final. 
2nd Semi Fitzroy v Werribee
Fitzroy and Werribee have been the pace setters all season, although the early mail was Caulfield, but the Fielders fell short. Werribee have been nervous in their finals appearances in the last three seasons and they need to have a higher level of confidence to have any chance.
Fitzroy will look to Hill, Leech, Steinfort and Iacono to take control and shut down Werribee’s gun midfield. Thomas, Patty and Knezevic need to play well for any chance for Werribee to win.
On form Fitzroy are favourites.
Under 19 Section 3
2nd Semi Northern Blues v AJAX
The Northern Blues have been outstanding all season and go into the finals full of  expectation. They will rely on Dele-Vergini, Sims and Hull to set up opportunities all around the ground and their strength on every line is a major factor in them taking control. AJAX have come home well and grabbed a second semi final, surprising a few, but they have the ability to cause an upset with a quick and skillful midfield. If Kalmus, Joel and Lerner at their best AJAX may get up.
On form the Blues look to have this one in the bag.
1st Semi Williamstown CYMS v Whitefriars
Whitefriars are on the money for this shoot out final. If their creative ball winners including Gosowski, Spencer and Nilsson play well the “Friars” can book a Prelim Final berth next week. Williamstown have been good but need to be great to have any chance in this blockbuster. Dimiriou, Joy, Janzsen and Ebinger need to shut down the Friars midfield and win lots of the footy for any chance for Willy.