Breaking down where flag will be won

Outgoing Geelong Amateur co-coach JARROD YOUNG has played and coached against both of these sides. He runs the rule over both teams ahead of today’s blockbuster BFL grand final.

The co-coaches will have a big impact on the result and they will both start the game with someone following their every move. So why not line the magnets up next to each other and back themselves to come out on top? Herbison (far right) kicked six goals in the second semi-final, while Finch (right) was Modda’s best midfielder in a heavy loss. Two of the premier onballers going head-to-head on the biggest stage will be worth the price of entry, so make it happen boys. The winner of this battle wins the medal. The ruck duel will be a fascinating contest. Meesen is one of the premier ruckmen in the competition and needs to dominate to give his midfield control on the inside. This is extremely important for Modda. Macilwain is a great competitor, so if he can nullify Meesen’s hit-outs to advantage and halve or win his fair share around the ground it will go a long way to getting Barwon Heads up and running. Both of these left footers can have a big influence on the outcome, not only with their ball use but the metres gained from each possession. O’Leary can open the game up with his pace away from the contest and long kicking; he is a very dangerous player who needs to be watched. Ollis, while not as quick, is one of Modda’s best outside midfielders. If he gets going he will provide good run and carry away from the contest and will hit his forwards lace out. They play at opposite ends of the ground but the two small forwards don’t need many chances. Grand finals are made for these two players to stand up. Phelps has taken all before him in his first year, kicking 78 goals, and he looks dangerous every time the ball is inside-50. McDonald was held goalless in the second semi-final but he kicked five when Modda beat the Seagulls back in Round 17, so it is important that he gets on the board early. Both of these players will play major roles in stopping the opposition’s forwards. Farrelly will float back and intercept anything off target and will then run and create — which will be needed to break down the Barwon Heads press. Evans has flown under the radar externally but internally the Seagulls know he is as important as any piece in their backline. He will chop off anything that is kicked in long and slow with his strong marking or third-man-up spoils. Barwon Heads has been the form side all year, losing only two games and blowing sides out of the water. The Seagulls have been the best defensive and attacking side in the BFL, averaging 54 against and 119 for per game, and their outside speed and spread away from the contest is superb. They open opposition sides up with quick entries and a forward line that works high up the ground to help defend, and works even harder back inside-50. Their full ground press also suffocates their opponents into either kicking long down the line or forces turnovers inside their forward 50. Modewarre has won five of its past six games, all against quality opposition, and has built some serious momentum coming into today. The Warriors will be hurting from their second semifinal display and I expect that will show early. They also like to move the ball quickly but are just as happy to restrict the opposition and grind out a win in a lowscoring affair. Modda needs to own the inside of every contest and control the outside by taking the chances when they come, not get into a shootout. They need to slow Barwon Heads up on every occasion and force repeat stoppages because this is their best chance of winning. As for the Seagulls, they just need to repeat the process today — defend strongly and use their quick ball movement, which has been on display all year. They have had an easy run since they last played Modewarre in Round 17, which was also their last loss, and all of this rest and waiting around will have had them playing the game over in their heads, so the pressure is on. If Barwon Heads plays at its best it will be too strong but if Modewarre gets a sniff that the Seagulls are slightly off then Modda’s momentum will be difficult to stop. One club will break the drought today and grand finals are funny things — once there, the whole year means nothing; it is those last four quarters that count. Good luck to both teams, they well and truly deserve to be there and may the best side win. Barwon Heads 21 points