THEN THERE WERE TWO!
We come to the last round of the year. The journey to the Holy Grail is almost complete. Congratulations to the final two sides in each section – you have proved you are the best in your section and now it comes down to the best on the day to raise the premiership cup and have the unique team photo taken. This is a day you will remember forever. With three under 19 grand finals at Trevor Barker on Sunday it is going to be a blockbuster day on the park. Get there to see the best under age footy in Victoria.
Premier
Old Xavierians v St.Bedes Mentone Tigers
Old Xavierians have been the best team in Premier all season. As the final four was settled coach Joe Rush was happy that De La Salle were not there, as they were a team that could beat them. Xavs have a great spine and have depth all over the ground. Coach Rush started with a great list and they have got better during the year. Can St Bedes Mentone hold Close, Barry, Ongarello and Jeans? What if other players step up? The question marks continue for St Bedes coach, Steve D’Andrea.
The Tigers will look for onfield leadership from Alexander Cross, Bower and competition best and fairest winner Brett Denton. On previous form and season success I think the Xavs will put another Premiership cup in the cabinet at Toorak Park but it will not be an easy task.
Section 2
Fitzroy v Werribee
In the Preliminary final last week Werribee just got over the line and face the fresh Fitzroy in this week’s grand final. The odds are in Fitzroy’s favour with a quicker midfield and talent all across the coach’s whiteboard. Bryan, Baker, Menzies and Dalton are all players Werribee will tag, but that will take their own great players partially out of the game.
Werribee’s coaching staff in Andrew Acarito and Chris Burton have the job in front of them but they will give it a crack. Selection will be tight. The club has their Under 18 team in the grand final so emerging talent will stay with that group. They will base their game around the main game breakers in Burton, Smith, Monk and Fitzpatrick.On season form, finals form and freshness I think Fitzory will win and reward coach Bruce Edwards for a great season.
Section 3
AJAX v Whitefriars
Whitefriars have been the quiet achiever over the last few weeks, going about their business with no fuss and getting the job done. They are now about to step up to the stage for their greatest game of the year. I tipped them them in the first semi and they came through well and toppled the Northern Blues last week to earn the right to take on AJAX.
The Friars have great ball winners in Gasowski, Malt, Currie and Dinh and coach Jeremy Freeman has done a great job to steer the team into the finals. AJAX has had the break and are hungry and this could be the difference. They will look to the players that set the tone of a game in Rechtman, Lerner and captain Joel. Coach Adam Sacks has done well with a developing list that will see many players play senior footy with the club. It’s close and very hard to pick- possibly AJAX by a slim margin but the Friars could take it right up to them.
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