TIGERS AREN’T CERTS
EAST GEELONG
East Geelong has got nothing to lose. They’re playing a good team brand of footy and are well coached. Jeremy Power has got them playing a really good style which he knows will stand up in finals, so if they can play to his direction, I can’t see why they can’t go all the way or surprise teams at least. We played them in Geelong’s worst winter weather, but they did the small things really well and set up strong structurally. East Geelong also lacks experience, like Werribee Centrals, having not been there before. A finals campaign will be a positive stepping stone for them if they don’t get the result they are after, given they only won four games last year. They’ve been really fortunate with injuries this year allowing the team to jell and hopefully that continues, otherwise it would be interesting to see some newer players enter the team come finals.
Sam Lowe. On the wide expanses at St Albans Reserve, the winger will play a big role in this weekend’s elimination final. They’ll look to use him as much as they can. He’s played really well the last few times against us, so he’s one that as an opposition coach, I would be paying attention to.
Fifth QUALIFYING FINAL Bannockburn v Werribee Centrals
Thomson has been there before and proven it knows how to win. The Tigers have shown this year that they are the team to beat, losing only once in the 18-game season. It was evident in their finals campaign last year that their contested football and exceptional inside game stands up in finals, and they’ve only built on that this year.
The large oval at St Albans Reserve could work against them if they were to come up against one of the quicker teams, like Werribee Centrals, which happens to be the only team to beat them during the home-and-away season. An opposition that can move the ball quickly to the outside could exploit a weakness with the older bodies Thomson has. If the opposition can match them on the inside at the stoppages, and can beat them on the outside, I believe they’re beatable.
Reece Holwell is the player to watch in finals. He always stands up in the big moments and is a strong leader, carrying his team along with him. Adam Wiseman is another key player. He’s got the experience playing in a number of flags, in a number of football leagues and is one that can influence a game.
Premier