Division 2 Preliminary Final Preview

Anna Pavlou – @Annalyst_Sports

Preliminary Final: Old Paradians vs Whitefriars

This time last year, Whitefriars were reviewing the prospect of playing Division 2 football after a disappointing Division 1 season, while Old Parade were reeling at their shock exit at the hands of MHSOB in the Division 2 semi-finals. Fast forward to this week and both sides are playing for redemption. This is going to be a classic battle between two sides who are evenly matched at both ends of the field, both with much to prove. Whitefriars are taking good recent form into this game after a solid win over Yarra Old Grammarians last week, while the Raiders are looking for some answers after losing four out of their last five matches, after being front runners for most of the home-and-away season.

Last time these two met was in Round 15, where Whitefriars defeated the Raiders, despite giving up a 27-point three-quarter-time lead, to hang on by eight points. Before that, in Round 8, Parade came from 22 points down at three quarter time to kick five unanswered goals to snatch a four-point victory. This prelim will be no different. Since losing Michael Boundy to injury, the Raiders have struggled to kick a winning score and look to Marcus Nolan and Byron Walton to have an impact in front of goal. The Jeffrey brothers recent form has been excellent, but they need a whole team effort and increased group contribution. Their defence last week was solid, holding UHS-VU to 81 points, but their challenge will be to kick a winning score.

On the flip side, the Friars have been flying, winning their last eight games in a row and looking every bit a premiership contender. Their pace, spread and depth through the midfield, spearheaded by Kristan Height and supported by unheralded Angus Hands and Hewitt Murray, make them hard to contain. But, despite Paradians’ recent losses, their defence has still been miserly. In their recent clashes, Parade has come storming home in the last quarters of both games, which proves that their fitness is strong and they have belief. The key is whether the Raiders’ backline can contain the Friars’ spread of star-studded forward options. Both sides know their best is good enough. In a battle that is likely to be tense and close it will all depend on the team that shows up on game day.

In the Reserves preliminary finals, it’s the battle of the high schools, with UHS-VU and MHSOB playing off for a shot at Whitefriars in next week’s Grand Final. Uni High are looking to bounce back after their second semi-final loss last week, but it’s the inform Unicorns who might just take the points in a close one.