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First Qualifying Final -Tungamah v Katandra

Tungamah completed a rare feat when they completed the home and away season undefeated and they will be looking to progress through the finals series without a hiccup. The Bears have running players with polish in good form in Marcus Cummins and Jose TeJones amoung a long list of Tungamah midfield options. Adam Dodd knocks up getting kicks and is the Bears’ ‘engine room’ while the Haebich boys Duane & Drew are clever and can turn a game if given latitude around the goals. Katandra embark on yet another finals campaign with their experience in big games sure to count once the siren sounds. The Kats themselves have no shortage of runners led by Wes & Gregor Teague while Shane Venebles may be the man to mind Tungamah’s Dodd. The Kats have multiple avenues to goal with Mitch & Dylan Sidebottom in particular hard to match up as they can mark but are also good when the ball hits the ground. Tungamah start obvious favourites, they’re undefeated, they won these teams’ previous meeting in Rd 7 by 31 points and look to have the goods to start their finals series with a win. A great game expected, Katandra will come ready to play but impossible to go against the Bears. Tungamah by 11 points.

Second Qualifying Final (23rd Aug, Barooga, 12.30pm)

Dookie Utd v Waaia

Dookie Utd look to be playing their best footy at the right time in their quest for back to back premierships. Holding their forward line is a daunting task with coach Dale Osborne, skipper Chris Payne-Croston and Chris Ludeman all capable of winning a game off their own boot. Waaia veteran Matt Cason may be their best option for Payne-Croston in a duel of two great exponents of overhead marking. Both coaches would have learnt much about their respective opposition when the teams met last week with Dookie Utd prevailing by 27 points however Dookie Utd will know that this will count for little if they allow Waaia first use of the footy this weekend. Waaia have the talent to test the best with on ballers Steve Scott & Sam Richardson & forward Greg Meyland amoung the competitions best in their respective positions while veterans Cason & Neil Walker have been there and done that and will have saved their best efforts for the business end of the year. After a taste of flag glory last year, Dookie Utd will be itching to revisit 07’s heroics and getting over the Bombers is the first step. Waaia has loomed as Tungamah’s big danger for most of the year however it is hard to ignore Dookie’s win last week and maybe the Bombers will struggle to hold down their opponents’ run and goal scoring power. Close game expected but tip Dookie Utd to win by 5 points.

First Elimination Final (24th Aug, Memorial Park Deniliquin, 12.30pm)
Katunga v Shepp East

The Swans will be favourites here and come off a good win over Mathoura last week. They have an even mix of ball carriers with Matt Wellington and Heath Fox amoung the best going around and Ash Howden, Mick Keane and Jason Cassimaty give them height in key positions and around the ground. Josh Evans is clever around goal and with the Swans perhaps missing the mercurial Nick Howden with a jaw injury, Evans’ influence will be even more important to Katunga. The Eagles would fancy their chances and with David Gibson, Brodie Jacques and Steve Marchment all playing good footy and while they would have liked to get closer to Tungamah last week, this is finals footy & Shepp East will pull out all stops to avoid going out of the series in the first week. This should be a frenetic contest but once the dust settles Katunga will perhaps have more polish than their opponents. The Swans have earnt our faith with their fifth placed finish and are selected to progress through the elimination round with a 15 point win.

Second Elimination Final (24th Aug, Memorial Park Deniliquin, 2.30pm)
Strathmerton v Deni Rovers
Strathy have defeated Rovers in both their encounters this season but the victories have been narrow and hard fought and a similar affair is expected here. Rovers key is perhaps Ash Germano who is in vintage form and has the run and skill to open the game up for the likes of Benji Hardman and Andrew May while their coach Josh Bode provides mobility and marking power around the ground. Strathy’s young warrior Matt Shannon will perhaps run with Bode while Germano will probably get Strathy’s ‘run with guy’ in Stuart Powles although Powles may also be an option to mind the dangerous Hardman. The Bulldogs forward half looks dangerous with Drew Shadbolt & Jamie Pitt both proven goal kickers and Rovers’ defenders John Fitzpatrick and Gerard Robinson will be important players for the Roos. Another game that is expected to go right down to the wire and while the game is played at Deni River’s home, the Bulldogs through their previous victories & perhaps slightly more running options are selected to win by the barest of margins. Strathy by a point.

By Larry Ryan

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