Division Four Finals Preview – Week 1
In the blink of an eye the 2016 lower grades regular season has come to a close. What a year it has been for the lower grades clubs in their respective campaigns. The best teams of our lower grades Clubs will now compete for the flag. It all starts this Sunday at Blacktown International Sports Park as the venue plays host to the Women’s Division One, Division Four and Division Five Elimination and Qualifying Finals.
Division Four
Qualifying Final - Sunday 14th August at 3.15pm at BISP Oval 1 – North Shore Bombers v Macquarie University
With the Camden Cats winning the minor Premiership by five and a half percentage points the North Shore Bombers will do battle in the Qualifying final this weekend against the Macquarie University Warriors. With only two wins separating the entire top five, this year’s Division Four competition is hard to predict with every team being a genuine chance. North Shore have been incredible this year across the park and will be looking to their core midfield group to get them going on Sunday. If the midfield can fire and deliver quality ball into Jack Jones and Jake Coleman they will certainly be hard to contain.
Macquarie University will be quietly confident of their chances to take down the North Shore Bombers. The key to the Macquarie University game is the engine house of David Munday and Gavin Nixon who will win the inside ball in the midfield. If these two get up and about they will give the Warriors first use of the footy. Another huge factor for Macquarie University will be if the Bombers are able to contain big man James Coburn. He has been really impressive this year with his work in the ruck and his prowess in front of goal when he has been rested up forward. Expect them to give the Bombers a good run for their money.
Expect this game to be a close and intense encounter as the two sides look to bring their best football to the September stage.
North Shore Bombers players to watch: Jack Jones, William Clarke, Luke Ham and Michael Goode
Macquarie University players to watch: Stewart Thompson, James Coburn, David Munday and Jonathan Edmondson
Prediction: Bombers to show class. North Shore by 15 points.
Elimination Final – Sunday 14th August at 1:10pm at BISP Oval 1 –Sydney University v UTS Bats
One of the biggest rivalries in the AFL Sydney competition will be on show this weekend as two of the big clubs on the Sydney football scene face off in what will be a thrilling elimination final. Last weekend these two sides faced off in the final round of the season where the UTS bats reigned supreme by 31 points. Sydney University have certainly had a great year despite their result in the final round of the year. Ryan Nyberg and Luke Higgins have been huge for the students so far this year and they will be looking to them to deliver on the AFL Sydney Finals Stage. Also expect Matt Watson to be a stand out player for the students on Sunday after he has played great footy this year since returning from a bad ACL injury.
The Bats have been potent this year with pair Edward Taffa and Todd Thorn-Saville combining for 69 goals. When these two are on their game the Bats are always competitive. If the Bats are going to win this elimination final they will need their midfields Spencer Pascal and Tyrone Burnet to get first use of the ball. Pascal in particular has been brilliant this year. Pascal has averaged a goal a game out of the midfield this year and is one you would expect to feature strongly in the final standing of the Armstrong Medal.
Sydney University players to watch: Matthew Watson, Ryan Nyberg, Luke Higgins and Paul Younan
UTS Bats players to watch: Edward Taffa, Todd Thorn-Saville, Spencer Pascal and Tyrone Burnet
Prediction: Sydney Uni to improve from lasts week’s performance but go down in a close one. Bats by 2 points.
The Author wishes to remain anonymous
Last Modified on 13/08/2016 20:58
