Four teams, two game, one ultimate goal

Preliminary final 1

Gordon v Dunnstown

THE home and away season’s one and two kick off the Central Highlands Football League preliminary finals this weekend as Gordon host Dunnstown at the Buninyong Recreation Reserve on Saturday afternoon.

The Towners bounced back after a disappointing loss in the first week of finals to end Learmonth’s fairytale run in the semis with a comprehensive 46-point win over the Lakies.

After the week off the Eagles fresh legs will be keen to book their place in the grand final after being the best side in the competition over the past two season and dropping just the one game in that span.

They will be doing it without out former AFL footballer Matthew Stokes who has elected to not make himself available in a selfless commitment to allow the local talent an opportunity on this big stage.

The last time these two sides met in the Central Highlands Football League was all the way back in round two with Gordon three-point winners despite taking a six to one goal opening term lead.

Injury prone forward Thomas Wardell kicked seven for the Towners that afternoon to nearly pull off one of the comebacks of the decade, and he’ll need to be at his very best again to give the Towners a chance of pulling off an unlikely win.

Prediction: Gordon by 30 points.

Preliminary final 2

Hepburn v Springbank

The Burra go in firm favourites to book their place in their 10th grand final this millennium when they host Springbank at Tom Ford Reserve at Learmonth on Sunday.

A 14-day break will freshen up Hepburn’s seasoned veterans like Daniel O’Hallaron, brothers Andrew and Mitch McKay, along with Hayden Rodgers who have all tasted premiership success in Burra colours.

The Tigers’ came from behind to win by a goal in the semi final after trailing for the majority afternoon.

Down by 19-points against Skipton at the final break and at risk of going out in straight sets, Todd Finco became the hero with his fourth quarter heroics and helping set up a clash between arguably the competition’s historically most successful side.

In dry conditions and on the faster decks that come with finals in the Central Highlands Football League, Hepburn outside ball movement looks unstoppable.

Despite the passionate response that we saw from Springbank in the final term last week, it may be a bridge to far for them getting up in this one.

Prediction: Hepburn comfortably.