Originally Posted by
BeeEmmAre
GRAND FINALS
PREMIER LEAGUE
PENNANT HILLS (1st 16-4) v EAST COAST (2nd 16-5)
At Henson Park, 2.30pm Saturday
How they got here
PENNANT HILLS DEMONS EAST COAST EAGLES
16.17 113 def Campbelltown 11.14 80 Round 1 10.12 72 lost to UNSWES 15.4 94
24.19 163 def North Shore 13.5 83 Round 2 14.17 101 def St George 10.8 68
9.15 69 lost to Western Suburbs 12.7 79 Round 3 19.8 122 lost to Sydney University 20.8 128
18.13 121 def St George 15.9 99 Round 4 17.14 116 def North Shore 13.9 87
17.12 114 def Sydney University 13.11 89Round 5 20.9 129 def Campbelltown 4.2 26
16.14 110 def East Coast 11.11 77 Round 6 11.11 77 lost to Pennant Hills 16.14 110
24.12 156 def Balmain 7.4 46 Round 7 13.13 91 def Wollongong 10.10 70
13.11 89 lost to UNSWES 14.10 94 Round 8 21.12 138 def Balmain 7.5 47
10.20 80 def Wollongong 8.11 59 Round 9 14.12 96 def Western Suburbs 5.5 35
10.7 67 lost to North Shore 16.17 113 Round 10 21.12 138 def Sydney University 14.9 93
20.12 132 def St George 11.5 71 Round 11 16.12 108 def UNSWES 8.13 61
25.14 164 def Western Suburbs 17.14 116 Round 12 29.11 185 def North Shore 8.9 57
13.12 90 def Sydney University 6.11 47 Round 13 17.17 110 def Campbelltown 9.7 61
27.19 181 def Campbelltown 2.2 14 Round 14 16.6 102 lost to St George 16.10 106
31.24 210 def Wollongong 5.2 32 Round 15 23.14 152 def Balmain 10.7 67
26.16 172 def Balmain 4.7 31 Round 16 23.13 151 def Wollongong 8.10 58
16.17 113 def East Coast 8.7 55 Round 17 8.7 55 lost to Pennant Hills 16.17 113
8.19 67 lost to UNSWES 14.9 93 Round 18 20.17 137 def Western Suburbs 5.17 47
20.16 136 def St George 12.9 81 Finals Week 1 22.10 142 def North Shore 14.8 92
9.13 67 def UNSWES 5.9 39 Finals Week 2 18.12 120 def St George 8.7 55
BYE Finals Week 3 18.14 122 def UNSWES 11.11 77
Season Head to Head: Pennant Hills 2, East Coast 0.
Round 17: Pennant Hills 16.17 113 def East Coast 8.7 55 (Ern Holmes Oval)
Goals: PENNANT HILLS: S Reed 3, L Spencer, A Goodall, C Setford 2, B Mill, M Carey, C Richardson, S Jones, K Wright, J Duncan, L Bilbe. EAST COAST: A Floyd 2, D Bowles, D Chapman, E Wilson, S Ryan, M Sankey, G Seebeck.
Best: PENNANT HILLS: A Goodall, M Aitken, S Reed, B McGrath, L Bilbe, K Wright. EAST COAST: M Johnston, R Bilkey, B Ure, D Bowles, J Vlatko, M Maher.
Round 6: Pennant Hills 16.14 110 def East Coast 11.11 77 (Charles McLaughlin Reserve)
Goals: PENNANT HILLS: M Eddy, A Richardson 4, N Campbell 3, M Carey, K Wright 2, J Clarke. EAST COAST: B Rogers, G Seebeck 2, D Spiteri, A Floyd, S Ryan, G Garner, A Polkinghorne, J Vlatko, R Smyth.
Best: PENNANT HILLS: K Wright, A Richardson, B Jack, M Aitken, J Trestrail, M Eddy. EAST COAST: A Polkinghorne, J Vlatko, D Spiteri, B Rogers, M Maher, L Furlan.
Key Stats
H&A Record: PH: 14 wins 4 losses ? 2nd place. ECE: 13 wins 5 losses ? 4th place
H&A For, Agnt, %: PH: 323.273 2211 v 187.156 1278 ? 173.00%. ECE: 312.217 2089 v 194.164 1328 - 157.30%.
H&A Average: PH: 18.15 123 v 10.11 71. ECE: 17.14 116 v 11.8 74.
H&A Goalkickers: PH: Campbell 49, Spencer 38, Setford 38, Wright 22, Carey 19. ECE: Seebeck 56, Rogers 52, Smyth 29, Floyd 28, Byerlee 19.
H&A Best Players (Top 10 list): PH: Carey 59, Goodall 54, Crisfield 49, Aitken 40, Jack 35. ECE: Ryan 52, Vlatko 43, Stanford 40, Seebeck 38, Sankey 37, Bowles 37.
Finals Record: PH: 2 wins 0 losses. ECE: 3 wins 0 losses.
Finals For, Agnt, %: PH: 29.29 203 v 17.18 120. 169.17%. ECE: 58.36 384 v 33.26 224. 171.42%. Average winning margin ? 53.3.
Finals Average: PH: 101 v 60. Average winning margin ? 41.5 points. ECE: 128 v 75. AWM: 53.3 points.
Finals Goalkickers: PH: Campbell 7, Goodall 4, Jack 4, Wright 3, Duncan 3. ECE: Seebeck 17, Byerlee 14, Floyd 6, Smyth 5, Sankey 3, Garner 3.
Finals Best Players (Top 10 list): PH: A Richardson 12, Goodall 10, McCamey 9, Clarke 9, McGrath 8, C Richardson 6, Ediriwickrama 5, Carey 4, Crisfield 3. ECE: Seebeck 18, Wilson 18, Byerlee 17, Vlatko 13, Bilkey 9, Floyd 8, Ure 8, Sankey 7, Physick 6, Stanford 3.
The rundown: After 21 weeks of footy, here we are once again at the biggest day of the year, and it is a hugely anticipated Hills Derby showdown. We had one of these two years ago, when the weather ruined the skill level and the size of the crowd and the Demons ruined the Eagles? bid for an undefeated premiership. The most important of the key stats above are that Seebeck and Byerlee have kicked 31 goals between them in the three finals the Eagles have played to date, while Floyd and Smyth have also shown their value. In the middle Wilson is dominating the ruck, all adding up to an average winning margin for East Coast of almost nine goals ? across three finals, that?s extremely impressive. The Eagles are playing in the best form they?ve shown all season to make the grand final from fourth spot, and a lot is in their favour, including the fact five of the past six premiers have come from the preliminary to win six days later. However, the Demons have been the best team I?ve seen all season and thoroughly deserve their short-priced favouritism for this match. Carey is a sensational player and was rewarded with a much deserved Phelan Medal win on Monday night, joining his mate Charlie Richardson as the league?s best player in a season. Charlie is back in top form after missing the first half of the season through injury, while his namesake Alistair Richardson is leading from the front as he always does. Like the Eagles, the Demons have a strong forward line capable of kicking big scores, with Campbell, Spencer and Setford (if he gets back in following a two match suspension) being the keys. McGrath destroyed Wilson in round 17 and their clash will go a long way towards deciding this match, while the influence of Goodall, Reed, Ediriwickrama and the rejuvenated Jones can?t be taken for granted. And then there?s Crisfield, the best small defender in the competition. He usually gets Rogers, but with the livewire Eagle struggling for form with only two goals in the finals, he may go to Byerlee in another vital match-up. One thing I haven?t mentioned yet, and I?ll finish with it, is the massive psychological advantage that Penno has over the Eagles, with four easy wins since that monsoonal day in 2006. This provides East Coast with the perfect chance to overcome that hoodoo, with all the expectations being on the Demons to win. If they can overcome it, they are good enough to win, but the smart money has to be on Pennant Hills in what should be a classic grand final before a massive crowd ? given the weather forecast, it could push 2,500. Good luck to both teams.
The Verdict: Pennant Hills by 21 points
PREMIER LEAGUE RESERVES
EAST COAST (1st 17-2) v SYDNEY UNIVERSITY (2nd 15-6)
At Henson Park, 12pm Saturday
How they got here
EAST COAST EAGLES SYDNEY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
8.10 58 def St George 6.5 41 Round 1 20.12 132 def Wollongong 6.0 36
11.7 73 def Sydney University 7.8 50 Round 2 7.8 50 lost to East Coast 11.7 73
16.12 108 def North Shore 6.5 41 Round 3 27.17 179 def Campbelltown 0.5 5
24.24 168 def Campbelltown 2.1 13 Round 4 11.19 85 def Pennant Hills 12.12 84
11.6 72 lost to Pennant Hills 14.10 94 Round 5 18.15 123 def Western Suburbs 8.2 50
8.8 56 lost to UNSWES 12.10 82 Round 6 30.12 192 def Balmain 1.1 7
13.14 92 def Wollongong 1.11 17 Round 7 5.10 40 lost to UNSWES 9.14 68
18.24 132 def Balmain 4.5 29 Round 8 14.18 102 def St George 8.6 54
10.15 75 def Western Suburbs 6.7 43 Round 9 19.20 134 def Balmain 5.4 34
13.13 91 def Sydney University 9.5 59 Round 10 9.5 59 lost to East Coast 13.13 91
14.14 98 def UNSWES 7.7 49 Round 11 3.0 18 lost to North Shore 13.3 81*
13.12 90 def North Shore 6.7 43 Round 12 20.20 140 def Wollongong 2.6 18
34.14 218 def Campbelltown 0.0 0 Round 13 5.7 37 lost to Pennant Hills 8.11 59
14.13 97 def St George 3.1 19 Round 14 15.15 105 def Western Suburbs 11.9 75
19.12 126 def Balmain 2.4 16 Round 15 10.18 78 lost to UNSWES 11.14 80
18.8 116 def Wollongong 8.12 60 Round 16 24.16 160 def Campbelltown 3.3 21
10.11 71 def Pennant Hills 8.6 54 Round 17 15.12 102 def St George 4.12 36
14.20 104 def Western Suburbs 5.3 33 Round 18 8.10 58 def North Shore 5.7 37
BYE Finals Week 1 15.10 100 def St George 8.8 56
5.12 42 def Pennant Hills 3.3 21 Finals Week 2 14.13 97 def UNSWES 8.8 56
BYE Finals Week 3 12.9 81 def Pennant Hills 8.13 61
*Lost 10.8 68 on a headcount
Season Head to Head: East Coast 2, Sydney University 0.
Round 10: East Coast 13.13 91 def Sydney University 9.5 59 (Henson Park)
Goals: EAST COAST: R Frost 5, J Ford, M Arbon, K Pearson 2, J Mann, M Murrell. SYDNEY UNIVERSITY: L McWhirter 3, J La Posta 2, I Loughan, J Matt, N Bibby, C Wilkinson.
Best: EAST COAST: M Johnston, R Fitton, R Frost, S Lear, M Arbon, A Moeller. SYDNEY UNIVERSITY: C Walsh, T Smith, L Higgins, A Clark, L McWhirter, R Dawson.
Round 2: East Coast 11.7 73 def Sydney University 7.8 50 (Kelso Oval)
Goals: EAST COAST: M Peterson 5, A Tovell, T Kear 2, J Patira, C Wynne. SYDNEY UNIVERSITY: M Stewart, M Wakelin, M Liebowitz, A Clark, N Costello, A Wilson, R Dawson.
Best: EAST COAST: L Madden, J Duss, P Bleus, C Moore, M Peterson, S Lear. SYDNEY UNIVERSITY: A Wilson, C Wilkinson, J Fitzpatrick, M Wakelin, F McEwin, L Higgins.
The rundown: Blue and Gold v Gold and Blue ? the champions v the challengers. The Eagles are the hardened professionals, having won the past two reserves grand finals, and they will start red hot favourites to make it a third in a row. They will run out with a plethora of players who could easily be playing 2? hours later, with the likes of Fitton, Polkinghorne, Spiteri, Chapman and Kear all fitting that bill, while Furlan could front in this game if he doesn?t force his way into the seniors after injury. It?s a formidable line-up and it looks too much for the Students. But???. the Students were in exactly the same boat in the previous two weeks, starting as rank outsiders against first the Dogs, then the Demons, and they came through both matches impressively. 23 and 32 point margins during the season are not figures that can?t be turned over, and the Eagles will need to ensure against complacency or they will get burned.
The Verdict: East Coast by 30 points
UNDER 18 PREMIER CUP
NORTH SHORE BOMBERS (1st 16-1) v EAST COAST (2nd 13-6)
At Henson Park, 9.45am Saturday.
How they got here
NORTH SHORE BOMBERS EAST COAST EAGLES
9.10 64 def Pennant Hills 8.10 58 Round 1 10.13 73 def St George 11.4 70
10.8 68 def Wollongong 10.7 67 Round 2 13.14 92 def North Shore Bears 5.6 36
10.9 69 def East Coast 5.7 37 Round 3 5.7 37 lost to North Shore Bombers 10.9 69
BYE Round 4 7.10 52 def Campbelltown 7.6 48
23.19 157 def Riverview 5.3 33 Round 5 8.6 54 lost to Pennant Hills 10.11 71
14.11 95 def St George 4.2 26 Round 6 13.9 87 def Riverview 9.8 62
8.7 55 def Campbelltown 8.5 53 Round 7 8.11 59 def Wollongong 4.8 32
24.15 159 def Western Suburbs 0.6 6 Round 8 BYE
15.4 94 def St George 7.9 51 Round 9 9.14 68 def Western Suburbs 9.12 66
7.11 53 lost to Pennant Hills 8.7 55 Round 10 11.11 77 def North Shore Bears 8.10 58
14.9 93 def North Shore Bears 8.8 56 Round 11 16.20 116 def Riverview 7.6 48
15.10 100 def East Coast 3.7 25 Round 12 3.7 25 lost to North Shore Bombers 15.10 100
BYE Round 13 14.9 93 def Campbelltown 10.4 64
18.11 119 def Riverview 4.10 34 Round 14 18.11 119 def St George 3.5 23
14.10 94 def Campbelltown 5.5 35 Round 15 BYE
20.13 133 def Western Suburbs 6.8 44 Round 16 8.13 61 lost to Wollongong 10.11 71
12.14 86 def Wollongong 4.8 32 Round 17 5.5 35 lost to Pennant Hills 10.11 71
15.11 101 def North Shore Bears 5.7 37 Round 18 9.8 62 def Western Suburbs 9.2 56
BYE Finals Week 1 10.10 70 def Pennant Hills 10.6 66
2.14 26 def East Coast 1.6 12 Finals Week 2 1.6 12 lost to North Shore Bombers 2.14 26
BYE Finals Week 3 18.14 122 def UNSWES 11.11 77
Season Head to Head: North Shore Bombers 3, East Coast 0.
Second Semi Final: North Shore Bombers 2.14 26 def East Coast 1.6 12 (North Dalton Park)
Goals: BOMBERS: J Brain 2. EAST COAST: M Mostert.
Best: BOMBERS: M Trent, J Lumsden, D Dickerson, A Robertson, J Brain, N Roberts. EAST COAST: D Clinch, J Collis, M Karafilis, J Shepherd, M Bailey, R Goisisi.
Round 12: North Shore Bombers 15.10 100 def East Coast 3.7 25 (Gore Hill Oval)
Goals: BOMBERS: L Brain 3, D Tran, J Mason, M Carter, J Hall 2, B Thompson, J Lumsden, C MacKinnon, A Robertson. EAST COAST: M Mostert, M Power, J Patira.
Best: BOMBERS: D Dickerson, L Brain, S Rix, B Thompson, E Burke, J Hall. EAST COAST: S Pinchen, J Shephard, A Groome, J Collis, R Goisisi, M Power.
Round 3: North Shore Bombers 10.9 69 def East Coast 5.7 37 (Henson Park)
Goals: BOMBERS: J Cole 3, J Wells, C MacKinnon, M Trent, N Roberts, J Apin, E Burke, J Hall. EAST COAST: M Mack, M Power, P Grundy, J Patira, J Steer.
Best: BOMBERS: N Roberts, C Mackinnon, E Burke, J Brain, J Cole, J Apin. EAST COAST: M Power, D Clinch, J Shephard, J Moeller, T Stubbs, A Groome.
The rundown: The Bombers have been the clear No.1 pick all season, with their only loss being a two-pointer to Pennant Hills in round 10. The Eagles won one of the best games of junior footy in recent years against the Demons last week, which will give them plenty of confidence, but they?ve been well in arrears of North Shore so far this season and will be rank underdogs again.
That?s what I wrote in preview for the second semi final two weeks ago, and the Eagles came as close as they have all year in the atrocious conditions down at the Gong. They repeated the dose against the Demons last week to march into the grand final and, in fact, were the only team to play in the wet two weeks ago that went on to win last week. It?s a strong endorsement for their character, and they?ve earned this right to challenge the Bombers. I?m sticking with the Bombers, but this might be the closest it gets in a dry weather game.
The Verdict: North Shore Bombers by 25 points
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