The Hoers or the Fields? Premier B Men’s Preliminary Final Preview

A mouth-watering Preliminary Final awaits us this weekend as we learn which team will face Old Trinity & progress to the top flight next season.

Here’s a preview:

PREMIER B PRELIMINARY FINAL – OLD IVANHOE vs CAULFIELD GRAMMARIANS (Saturday 2.30pm – Preston City Oval)

Preliminary Finals tend to toy with your tipping logic.

On the one hand, the team that lost the Second Semi obviously had the better season to get there in the first place. But they LOST last week.

On the other hand, the team that survived the First Semi wasn’t as strong through the season but WON last week.

So, do you prioritise OVERALL BODY OF WORK or RECENT FORM?

The Hoers were minor premiers by just over 2 per cent from Old Trinity, but despite having 24 Inside 50s to 6 with the wind in the final term last week, booted just 0.6 to fall to the T’s by 17 points.

Caulfield Grammarians actually defeated Old Trinity by 16 points in the last round to secure their finals berth, then exploded away with the breeze at their back in the First Semi last week against Old Carey. The Fields – who led by 3 points at the last break – rammed on 9.5 to 2.0 to storm away to a commanding 50-point win.

It was quite the statement from a team that narrowly survived in Premier B by less than 2 percent last season. Twelve months on, they’ve won a final and are four quarters away from returning to the top flight after two seasons in the second tier.

But those four quarters are going to be tough, as both teams throw everything at earning promotion and another shot at Old Trinity.

PADDY GRINDLAY’S KEYS TO THE GAME

* Lowe & Behold – Ollie Lowe and his merry band of midfield mates – Sam McInerney and Jack Ellwood among them – led the Fields to a +30 contested possession and +13 clearance advantage over Old Carey. And with the long-kick Matt Clarkson swooping around, the Fields showed they could move the ball nicely from inside to outside.

Lowe looks the game-breaker with his tackle-breaking ability, link-up in transition and panache when swinging forward. Will Hoer stopper Harrison Reid head to the Fields’ #47 on Saturday afternoon?

* Naish the Younger – Patrick Naish has found significantly more of the footy than any other footballer in Premier B this year, but it was his younger brother Charlie that stood out in the second semi-final loss against Old Trinity. With 20 disposals, 10 inside fifties, a pair of goals and another two given off, Naish was eye-catching across half-forward with a clean leap, composed delivery and typically classy finishing. 

He and zippy forward Rohan McKenzie were the most likely Hoer forwards – they’ll likely have their say before the game is through.

* The Reservoir Doctor – 40 goals were kicked at Preston City Oval last weekend – 31 to the Bruce Street End, nine to the Cramer Street End. No prizes for guessing which end was advantaged by the breeze! 

We’ll call it the ‘Reservoir Doctor’ – and if it rears again on Saturday afternoon, it’s probably Caulfield Grammarians with the advantage. The Fields’ style of play has been moulded by the Glen Huntly Park gale, and against the Panthers their defensive work when kicking into the breeze stood out.

The Hoers had a tougher time, held to a goalless final term by Old Trinity despite kicking with the wind. Will they be once bitten, twice shy – or has Jarrod Gieschen’s side learned its lesson?

Old Ivanhoe claimed both meetings between these two sides this season – by 43 points at Chelsworth Park in Round 1, then 20 points at Glenhuntly Oval in Round 10.

But the Fields have only lost once since (in Round 16 to Old Camberwell) and boast confidence-boosting wins over Old Geelong, Willy CYMS, Old Trinity and Old Carey (twice) to establish themselves as a worthy contender.

The Hoers, however, have lost 3 of their past 4 (to Old Geelong and twice to Old Trinity).

Which brings us all the way back to the original question – overall body of work or recent form?

Both our VAFA Media tipsters are leaning towards overall body of work:-

VAFA MEDIA TIPS:   

Paddy Grindlay: Old Ivanhoe by 14pts.

Matthew Donald:            Old Ivanhoe by 27pts.

Who will get a crack at Old Trinity for the silverware next week? Find out at Preston City Oval from 2.30pm Saturday.