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Courtesy of Cowwarr what was going to be a final round for the ages is now mostly nothing more than an entrée to the first week of the finals. If the Saints had not gone marching in last week when they rolled Rosedale by a point every position in the final five had the potential to change based on the outcomes of three games involving the top six clubs scheduled for this weekend. Now however the only change possible would involve Yarram beating TTU and grabbing top spot should Sale City turn around their last three weeks of footy and surprise ladder leader Churchill at Stephenson’s Park Saturday afternoon.

Churchill certainly won’t be taking the Bulldogs lightly but over the course of their last 12 quarters of football the Dogs have conceded 363 points while scoring only 89. Assuming this trend continues and Churchill secure the win it gives the Cougars the first week off and means that this week’s clashes between Rosedale and Heyfield and Yarram and Traralgon Tyers United will be repeated, on neutral territory, the week after when the NGFNL finals kick off.

Generally I’d contact each of the coach’s involved in these matches to gain some insights but given they will be playing each other in consecutive week’s I thought I’d give them the week off. And on that note it would be timely to thank all of the coaches who have shared their thoughts in the lead up to some crucial matches across the course of the year.

Scott Berechree

GLENGARRY v COWWARR

Where is it being played?: Glengarry Rec Reserve

What time is the seniors game scheduled to start?: 2:00pm

Selected sides: 

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MATCH PREVIEW

At the start of the year both Glengarry and Cowwarr would have hoped to be on the verge of a finals appearance come seasons end. As season 2019 draws to a conclusion it is the Saints who appear to be much the closer.

After orchestrating the upset of the season against Yarram Jeremy Jones and his Saints looked like they might well march right into the top five this year. Despite a last round upset win over finalist Rosedale a few hiccups, noticeably against Woodside, means the Saints will finish seventh but the feeling around the club must be a positive one as they look forward to next year.

Glen on the other handed have faded badly as the season progressed. Their thirds are carrying the hopes of the club, both this season and into the future, looking to already have their name engraved on the premiership cup.

Scott Berechree

GORMANDALE v WOODSIDE

Where is it being played?: Gormandale Rec Reserve

What time is the seniors game scheduled to start?: 2:00pm

Selected sides: 

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MATCH PREVIEW

Gormandale will throw everything at Woodside in an attempt to avoid the ignominy that comes with going through the year winless when Woodside come to town this weekend. With plans already afoot for a surge up the ladder in 2020 under new President Adam ‘Hook’ Talbot the home team will provide Ryan Foat and his Wildcats a stern test in their final game of the season.

It is hard to see the emotion and effort that the Tigers will play with though being enough to carry them the full four quarters over a Wildcat side that looks to simply be too strong for their opponents.

Scott Berechree

ROSEDALE v HEYFIELD

Where is it being played?: Rosedale Rec Reserve

What time is the seniors game scheduled to start?: 2:00pm

Selected sides: 

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MATCH PREVIEW

In a preview of next Sundays elimination final Rosedale welcome Heyfield to town in a game that will most likely resemble the first round of a title fight. Neither side will be looking to land a knock-out blow and neither will be likely to show their opponent their full bag of tricks knowing that they will be facing off again in 8 days’ time.

Assuming there are no injuries and there isn’t a blow out on the scoreboard the main interest in this game will be how many goals Brandan McDonald can slot for the home side. He currently sits one behind Cowwarr’s Shane Morgan in the race to be the league’s leading goal kicker.

Scott Berechree

SALE CITY v CHURCHILL

Where is it being played?: Stephenson’s Park, Sale

What time is the seniors game scheduled to start?: 2:00pm

Selected sides: 

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MATCH PREVIEW

Given they cannot make the finals Sale City would love nothing more than to take a big scalp and throw the cat amongst the pigeons by rolling Churchill on Saturday. Their recent form has been lean but it would not surprise anyone if they let fly with a huge effort in their last game of the year. When these teams last met City held a 13 point lead over Churchill at three quarter time. When coach Jacob Schuback marked and goaled to extend their lead to 18 points five minutes in to the last quarter the Dogs looked to have the Cougars on the rack.

It took a monumental effort for Churchill to recover and take the points. Goals by Brendan Holt, Churchill coach Chris Williams and young gun Ryan Lowrie rested momentum back to the Cougars who then sealed the win courtesy of Ben Kearns final term heroics. Williams will not want his side to be in that position again and will ensure the boys are fired up from the get go this week.

Whilst somehow not listed in his sides best that day it was City coach Jacob Schuback with four goals and thirty plus touches who led the way for the Dogs. Undoubtedly Williams and his coaching group will have some plans in place to minimise the influence of one of the best players the competition has seen over the last decade. If the Cougs can keep Schuback out of the game and find a way to curb the influence of Bohdi Walker, which doesn’t involve the coaches namesake getting reported for doing so this time around, Churchill should be able to grab the win and secure top spot.

Scott Berechree

YARRAM v TRARALGON TYERS UNITED

Where is it being played?: Yarram Rec Reserve

What time is the seniors game scheduled to start?: 2:00pm

Selected sides: 

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MATCH PREVIEW

Traralgon Tyers United have been in terrific form in recent weeks. The return of their coach, Michael Duncan, and a surge in the form of several senior players has seen them climb into third spot. Win, lose or draw this week the Bombers are going nowhere on the ladder.

Yarram on the other hand need to win, and hope Sale City knock off Churchill. This pair of results would see the Demons repeat last year’s effort of qualifying for the finals series in top spot. With a few older bodies in their line up coach Matt Scholz would love nothing more than having the opportunity to rest a few players in the lead up to their finals campaign if they do wind up with top spot.

Tyers too have a few veterans on their list. As such their approach to selection will be interesting as they may take the opportunity to rest a few players knowing there finals position is not going to change.

Much interest will also focus on the Reserves clash where Yarram currently top the ladder with TTU sitting in third spot. A win by the Tyers Two’s would open up the possibility of Yarram slipping to second in the event second placed Churchill get the win over fourth paced Sale City.

Scott Berechree

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All match previews written by Scott Berechree. Edited versions may appear in the Latrobe Valley Express and Gippsland Times.

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