By Ken Moore
BUNYIP will be out to atone for last year’s grand final loss to Nar Nar Goon in the reserves grand final.
The Bulldogs are undefeated this season and will enter deserved favourites – but if their second semi-final clash against the Goon is any guide, the game is likely to go down to the wire.
In that match, the Goon appeared set for victory midway through the third quarter, before it ran out of puff and conceded five unanswered goals to go down by nine points.
With Phil Cahill, Paul Youle, Tim Manning, Alan McArthur and Scott Haughton, Nar Nar Goon has plenty of experience and will not be overawed by the occasion. For Bunyip, hard at the ball ruck-rover Chris Savage, Clay Simpson, wingman Leigh Carmody and defender Marc Jolley have been the mainstays of the Bulldogs this season. All were unlucky not to get more senior games and can be expected to be prominent again.
Little appears to separate the midfields, but the Bulldogs appear to have a superior three-pronged forward attack, led by ex-Pakenham utility Des Young (57 goals this season), Jed Saik and Jarrod Marolla – and this extra strength should help them hold the premiership cup aloft.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Thirds
Nar Nar Goon looks hard to topple in the under-18s when they square off with Neerim Neerim South.
The two sides met in the second semi-final, which was won in convincing style by the Goon.
The Cats may have learnt plenty from that game, because it was far more impressive last week when it brushed aside Garfield by 48 points and with Jackson Ward, Jack Fallon and Josh Morrison, it has a number of players to take it up to the Goon.
Unfortunately for the Cats, two of their young guns, Joel Whitford and Kody Wilson, who contributed seven goals between them on Saturday, will more than likely be required to play in the seniors – and this will hurt their goalscoring potency.
Goon prime movers Joe Murphy and Brendan Herman are likely to be pivotal to their chances once again, but should they have an off day, the Goon still have plenty of depth and talent with Jordan Payroli and Jordan Riley in fine fettle, while Damon Hansen (26 goals) and Wil Evans (38) have been top forward targets. The Goon is well placed to win its fifth flag at this age group since it joined the EDFL.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Fourths
After grand final losses in the fourths in 2009 and 2010, Nar Nar Goon will be hoping it’s third time lucky when it meets Kooweerup.
Demon prime movers Taylor Stafford, Andrew Proctor, Luke Krastek and Jake Lucas have been consistent this season – and can be expected to give plenty of cheek once again. The Goon were imposing in the second semi-final when it accounted for Kooweerup by 39 points and with Robbie Herman, Tyson Hendrix and Tyler Payroli having an outstanding season and a good spread of contributors all over the field, the Goon should have too much talent.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Fifths
A huge day starts with Kooweerup and Ellinbank in the under-13s.
Based on this season and the second semi-final, when they prevailed by 19 points over Ellinbank, Demon youngsters Jayden Barry and Nathan Voss are two players to keep an eye on, while for the Bankers, Will Jolley, Tom Robertson and Jack Phillips should play a key role.
