GOOD HEAVENS
GFL GRAND FINAL SPECIAL
Andrew Banjanin v Josh Hovey/Ben Capra/ Cam Tudor
The most dangerous area of the ground for St Joseph’s will start in the ruck.
Hovey and Capra will concede a height difference going up against Banjanin. This is where we have seen the impact of the modified thirdman up rule at the stoppages.
It is critical that Hovey, Capra and Tudor find a way to nullify this advantage and keep the ball in tight.
St Mary’s will be desperate to get the ball out in space where it will back its kicking skills and speed to hurt Joeys in offence.
Jarryd Garner v Brant Haintz
The two leading midfielders for both sides head into the grand final full of confidence. Garner is coming off a beston-ground performance in the semi-final, while Haintz has carried a large chunk of the workload in the Joeys’ engine room over the past eight weeks. Hopefully, we see these two go head-to-head at times throughout the game. Garner was brought in by St Mary’s to perform on the big stage and now is the perfect opportunity to do so. His ability to attack the contest and take the ball through the front of the stoppage can be devastating and highly effective. Haintz has the ability to handle Garner from a defensive perspective and potentially get plenty of his own ball when in attack. These two A-grade midfielders will set the tone for both sides.
Callum Mitchell v Sam Dobson
A dangerous match-up for Joeys when you consider Dobson is coming off six goals in his last game.
Mitchell possesses the aerobic capacity to run with Dobson but may be challenged if Dobson can isolate him close to goal.
The premier forward in the competition, Dobson’s work rate and finishing skills have seen him evolve into one of the most difficult match-ups in the competition.
Mitchell’s ability to restrict Dobson will hinge on a collective effort up the field to ensure there is plenty of pressure on any forward thrust for St Mary’s.
Jackson McLachlan v Harry Kol
Arguably the difference against Leopold last week, McLachlan is dynamite up forward. Combine electric pace with an elite football brain and you get a player with the ability to hit the scoreboard repeatedly in quick succession.
I would love to see Harry Kol given the challenge of going head-to-head with McLachlan.
Possibly the quickest player in the GFL, Kol has been limited with injury in previous years. Today we see him approach the game with the confidence required to have a serious impact.
Kol will provide plenty of headaches for Joeys running off half-back and force McLachlan to worry about more than just hunting the football. ANALYSIS St Mary’s heads into the grand final full of confidence, having dismantled Joeys in the qualifying final. It boasts the most talented list in the competition and has prepared meticulously for this day.
Offensively it is exceptionally dangerous with its outside speed and ability to link up through the middle of the ground.
With Dobson, Tom Gillies and Aiden Grace up forward, it has some of the best country forwards in the state.
Joeys are going to have their hands full from the outset, but it is an unpredictable sport, somethings we have been reminded of over the past fortnight.
It is critical that Joeys find a way to neutralise the ruck contest and play the game on their terms.
Finals football is built on outnumbering and winning the contested ball.
Joeys require massive games from Haintz, the Hickey brothers, Brenton Rees and Joe Macula if they are to get over the line.
Joeys’ midfield will work hard both ways and back itself in to hunt, tackle and work harder for longer in the contest.
As funny as it sounds, St Joseph’s enters as the underdog and has nothing to lose this weekend, even as the reigning premier.
Sometimes it can be easier knowing it has a flag or two in the back pocket.
On the flip side, St Mary’s has been close for a long time now and is desperate to taste success. A third successive grand final loss would be nothing short of devastating.
Dobson, Josh Cowan, Gillies, Banjanin, Garner, Ryley Hall, Trent McMullan and Grace have been bought in for this reason. That reason is to win an elusive premiership.
Today is its best opportunity yet. VERDICT St Mary’s by 39 points