Ellinbank DFL Finals Week 1 preview

MATCH PREVIEW

Longwarry and Poowong will meet at Catani in a Qualifying Final this Saturday.

The Crows and the Magpies have had some close tussles so far this year, and the ledger sits at one win a piece. Poowong defeated Longwarry at Longwarry in Round 12 by 16 points, while in Round 3 Longwarry defeated Poowong at Poowong by 3 points.

Both sides have shown strong form leading into this finals series. Poowong have won their last five games, including notable wins against Nyora and Neerim South.

Longwarry have only dropped one game in the last six weeks which was a one-point loss to Ellinbank in a very low scoring affair.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Longwarry: Tye Holland, Russell Lehmann, Jedd Serong, Braydon McHugh, Rily Rundell.
Poowong: Jack Hazendonk, Jayden Sullivan, Trevor Hooker, Tom Wyatt, Jai Newcombe.

MATCH PREVIEW

Neerim-Neerim South and Nyora will meet at Nyora in an Elimination Final this Sunday.

The Cats and the Saints have also had some tight encounters so far this year, with the ledger sitting at one win a piece. Nyora defeated NNS at Neerim South in Round 12 by 21 points, while in Round 3 Neerim South defeated Nyora at Nyora by 4 points.

The Cats have shown strong form leading into this finals series. Neerim South have won their last four games, including a one-point win against Ellinbank.

Nyora’s form has been patchy and their road to the finals has been bumpy. They had to beat Lang Lang last week and hope Buln Buln lost to leapfrog the Lyrebirds, which ultimately happened. Prior to the last round the Saints had lost their last two games against Poowong and Ellinbank respectively which snapped a four game winning streak.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Neerim-Neerim South: Chris Urie, Calum Shiels, Kody Wilson, Toby Bayne, Jackson Ward.
Nyora: Rhys Bancroft, Ben Schultz, Ilan Osman, Dylan Heylen, Nick Carrigy.