By Damien Ractliffe
As the Premier grades enjoy a bye entering the last month of the VAFA home-and-away season, Therry Penola and PEGS will do battle in the Division 1 Match of the Round.
The two clubs, both of which suffered Premier C relegation at the end of 2015, are set to entertain a big crowd at JP Fawkner Reserve on Saturday.
Plenty is at stake for the two northern-west suburban foes. The Lions and Bombers sit third and fourth respectively on the Division 1 table, equal with 10-5 records and less than eight per cent separating the pair in Therry’s favour.
Last time the two sides met, in Round 9, the Lions fell six points short of the home side after leading by 11 points at the final change. Therry was second on the table at the time, with PEGS in third. Following the result, PEGS moved to first and Therry dropped to fifth.
Such is the close nature of Division 1 this season.
St Mary’s Salesian sit fifth on the Division 1 table, a win off Therry and PEGS, but look set to join the loser of this week’s bumper clash on 10 wins following Round 16 – the Saints play Ivanhoe.
Old Geelong sit second, on 11 wins, and travel to Garvey Oval to face a side sitting 4-1-10. But the Cats aren’t certainties to win that clash given the Raider’s recent good form.
Old Paradians smashed Therry and overcame PEGS and St Mary’s, before pushing ladder-leader Old Mentonians to within a kick last weekend.
Yet, it’s Therry and PEGS who meet in the finals shaping clash.
Separated by a 12km drive down the Ring Road, the winner can dare to dream top two. The loser, however, will remain fighting for a top four finish.
Trent Skurrie (51 goals) and Jarrod Bannister (61 goals) are the two obvious players to watch at the book ends, however both sides boast star-studded line-ups.
Bradley Jones and Cameron Livori have been named in PEGS’ best players nine and seven times respectively this season, while the Egglestone trio generally impact when Therry prevails.
The best-on-ground will also collect the Sean Flaherty medal, named after a former Therry player who is now football manager at PEGS.
However, whatever you think about the two sides, throw it out the window. This is a final for both sides and nothing is to be expected except a finals-like clash
A permanent fixture between the Premier C relegated clubs during the Premier section byes every year is definitely food for thought because this Saturday is going to be a red-hot showcase of VAFA football.
The reserves game is also set to provide a nice entree to the main course.
PEGS’ twos sit second, one spot ahead of Therry’s reserves; the Lions haven’t lost since last going down to the Bombers in Round 9.
Therry Penola will host a luncheon from midday on Saturday. To book, contact president Gerard Biddlestone by Friday 10am on 0417 309 316 or [email protected].
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