By Ken Moore
The minor premiers Nilma-Darnum will be hell-bent on ending a 50-year premiership drought when it meets the reigning premiers Cora Lynn this Saturday in the EDFL grand final at Cora Lynn.
Given a dry afternoon, the game promises to be a high standard attacking contest. Nilma last won the flag in 1959 when it was known as Nilma Lillico.
The Bombers last grand final appearance was in 1978 when it lost to Neerim Neerim South and since then they have only made the finals on one occasion, in 1995. A feast of football and netball will commence with the fifths at 8am, and culminate in the senior flag battle at 2:05pm. The netball program will begin with the F-Grade girls at 9am.
With only the one loss and a massive percentage of 272 at the end of the home and away season Nilma has been in irresistible form all season and courtesy of their comprehensive second semi-final victory over Cora Lynn will enter favourites. Both teams have a similar strengths and weaknesses and are chock full of midfield and forward talent.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Head to Head this season
Round 18: Cora Lynn 17.7.103 d Nilma-Darnum 13.12.90
Second Semi Final: Nilma-Darnum 9.17.71 d Cora Lynn 5.6.36
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:NILMA DARNUM
Strengths: Top quality and experienced midfield led by Jamie Cann, Allan Chandler, Phil Harris and Kane Martin with solid back-up from Harley Lacunes and emerging youngster Rhett O’Hara. Multiple goal-kicking options led by fleet footed dynamo Kael Bergles and a proven forward in Brenton Martin, who kicked 10 goals in the WGLFL grand final for Sale in 2007. Amazingly Sale was downed by Maffra that day. Former AFL star defender Mal Michael and former Sale utility David Ivey can play at both ends and like Martin all three have an imposing physical presence. The Bomber midfielders all like to work forward and kick goals and if left unattended can also pose a potent scoring threat.
Weakness: There is a perception among many clubs that Nilma’s midfield ascendancy often masks a slightly fragile defence. Good quality forwards have often kicked a bag of goals against the Bombers.
X-factors: Nilma has used Mal Michael in attack all season but will the Bombers opt to use him in defence this week? Michael is a more natural defender and Ivey, who has regularly played at centre half back was more regularly known as a forward before he came to Nilma. A swap between these to players would not surprise because key Cobra defender Dan O’Hara has been able to stymie the influence of Michael in their last two outings.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:What coach Brad Sinclair says:
“The game will likely to be won in the midfield so our on-ballers must be on their game. Whoever controls the momentum swings the longer will win. I have a preference for a dry day because it allows us to kick long and get the ball in quickly to our forward line. We need to work on our goalkicking and nail our chances because we have been down in this department when we have played them.”
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:CORA LYNN
Strengths: A classy, experienced and tough on-ball brigade comprising Captain James Bradshaw, Brendan Kimber, Luke Hughes, Jack Allen, Luke Christopher and Ryan Davey (if fit). Star goalkicker Darren Sheen can outpoint any defender one on one if the ball comes in quickly.
Weakness: Prone to concentration lapses and like Nilma their defence led by Dan O’Hara, Jason Hall, Craig Taylor, Tim Payne and Tim Crespin is more a team of workers rather than stars.
X-factors: David Collins is certain to return from Springvale and his pace could be a factor because Nilmais not overly quick.
What coach Chris Toner says.
“We should be better for the second semi-final experience. I think we got a little stage fright that day. We didn’t take the game on, we were not at our free flowing best and were too static in our movement of the ball. We hope to remedy that.
Who will win and why:
Nilma-Darnum. The Bombers left no doubt about their premiership favouritism in the second semi-final when they won in almost all positions.
Nilma appears to have the more goal scoring talent, a more settled line up and will enter fresher with the weeks rest behind it.
Nonetheless expect Cora Lynn to be in the contest for a long time because they have a point to prove after their second semi final loss when they disappointed after quarter-time.
For the Cobras to win their midfielders must take charge and more players must step up and share the workload like they did against Catani last Saturday.
Cora Lynn will have plenty of selection issues this week. Youngster Chase Saunders replaced Ryan Donaldson and will keep his spot while Ryan Davey (hand) will almost certainly return.
