Is it normal for me to be more nervous than Coz about Saturday????? LOL NORTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE / MEDIA / NEWS ARCHIVE / NEWS SINGLE Division 2 Preview - Grand Final By: Michael Thompson Thursday, September 11, 2014 IT is fitting that two of the best Division 2 sides seen in recent memory will fight it out for premiership glory this Saturday at Preston City Oval. Just a fortnight ago we saw North Heidelberg and Fitzroy Stars put on what was easily the most entertaining game of the season in the second semi final. While the weather isnt forecast to be conducive for a shootout, a repeat of that finals intensity and pressure should ensure a magnificent contest between two sides who are both thrilling to watch when playing at the peak of their powers. North Heidelberg has been the seasons best side to date, but has taken time to click into gear this finals series, in a similar vein to 2013 premier Whittlesea in last year’s finals series. It never truly seemed the Bulldogs could get into the second semi final against the Fitzroy Stars, only performing in spurts. However, the fact they could finish just 26 points behind the Stars while playing far from their best football proves that North Heidelberg can certainly turn around that recent loss on the biggest stage. Last week’s preliminary final saw the Bulldogs fall 32 points behind an inspired Mernda outfit midway through the second quarter, before gradually getting into the game. By the last quarter North had finally clicked into gear, kicking 10.3 to no score in the final term to run out a 55-point winner. Shane Harvey will no longer have to deal with thoughts about kicking goal number 100, after achieving the feat last weekend. He was Norths best player in the preliminary final win over Mernda, proving unstoppable with eight goals. Leigh Gilbert was another player who was very impressive last week, while Jesse Tardio, who joined the Bulldogs mid-season, has been the finals wildcard after returning from the Northern Blues. Similar to 2013, when they also appeared in the Grand Final, the Fitzroy Stars got off to a slow start this season. However, since Round 5 the Stars have only lost twice – a nine-point defeat to Diamond Creek in Round 10, before a 35-point loss to the Bulldogs in a dead rubber in Round 18. Importantly, they have recorded two victories over the Bulldogs in that period, with a three-point triumph in Round 13, before their 26-point victory in the aforementioned second semi final. However, memories of last year means the second semi victory will count for nothing if they cannot hold aloft the premiership cup in the fading Saturday afternoon light, following a 19-point loss to Whittlesea in the big dance last year. Djaran Whyman has been the X-factor for the Stars. Carefully managed by the club to ensure he is cherry ripe for this finals series, Whyman kicked six goals and took arguably the best mark of 2014 in the second semi final win. In a side where Patrick Davis, John Hayes and Allan Murray also roam the forward line, Whyman has fitted in seamlessly in the six games he has played for the club this year. The midfield has been thrilling to watch, with Malcolm Dow leading the charge. Alex Isailovic has had a productive number of weeks and was amongst the best in the second semi, while Damian Walker and Kaelun Brown are also putting in good seasons once again. While much is spoken of the Stars’ attacking prowess, the most important battle for Travis Hodgson’s side centres around Coree Thorpe and his job on Shane Harvey. Thorpes second semi final performance, limiting Harvey to four goals, was a major factor in the Stars winning the game, restricting the Dogs firepower up forward with Lachie Dowling out injured. Thorpe also kept Harvey goalless in the Round 13 win at Sir Douglas Nicholls Oval. The Stars have confirmed Lionel Proctor as a certain starter after missing the second semi final win, while North will be awaiting the fitness of Dowling who has not played a game since sustaining an injury against Mernda in Round 17. All the best to the two sides playing on Saturday afternoon, and may the best side win. RADIO: A live radio broadcast of the Division 2 Grand Final between Fitzroy Stars and North Heidelberg can be heard on 88.6 Plenty Valley FM. DOWNLOAD: A high-definition digital download of the game can be purchased at northernfl.tv from Thursday. The price of the digital copy is $20.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 11:44:03 +0000
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