Highlands football heads into finals mode

First qualifying final

Gordon v Springbank

WITH only the one blemish to their Central Highlands Football League record this season, Gordon go into this year’s finals series as the firm favourites to take it all out.

The Eagles pack a dynamic forward line consisting of Adam Toohey and Billy Griffiths, a midfield dominant at the source, and defence lead by captain Mark Gunnell.

Add in a sprinkle of some AFL experience in the form of Matthew Stokes and Gordon have all the pieces of the puzzle to claim the flag in four weeks’ time.

Springbank returned to the elite of the competition starting the season off with ten wins on the trot only to lose their next three and crash back to reality.

They were able to regroup down the stretch and record wins over the likes of Skipton and Rokewood-Corindhap to recapture glimpses of their early season form, with the importance finals experience needing to come from former premiership players Chris Quinlian, and Kieran and Joel Mahar.

The last time the Eagles and Tigers met it was Gordon by 23-points back in round 12.

The Eagles were honestly wasteful that faithful afternoon and had another ex-AFL footballer in James Kelly available for that one, yet even potentially without Kelly, it’s hard to see history not repeating itself.

Prediction: Gordon by 30 points.

 

Second qualifying final

Dunnstown v Hepburn

No doubt the hardest one for the pundits to decide with the youthful Towners returning to September to host a more finals prepared Burra outfit.

It’ll be the ultimate clash of styles with Dunnstown’s defence their catalyst to recent success with the likes of captain Ben Collins and Will Henderson quarterbacking games across the half back line.

For Hepburn it has been all about putting sides to the sword when they get their transition game going, highlighted by coach and ex-AFL Footballer Mitch Banner, who was the competition’s leading goal kicker in the home and away season with 73 goals.

It was all the way back in round three when these two sides met, and it was the Towners who announced themselves as genuine premiership contenders with a comprehensive 32-point victory.

Khyle Forde looked like a colossus in the ruck all afternoon and has for the vast majority of the season.

His influence could decide this close encounter.

Prediction: Dunnstown in a tight one.

 

First elimination final

Skipton v Waubra

After winning a do or die clash last week to set up this encounter against Skipton, has Waubra already fired their final shot for the year.

It is a real credit to outgoing coach Matty James with the Roos losing their first four games of 2022 yet able to crawl their way up the table to sneak into the finals for yet another season.

The Emus have been more consistent, flirting with the competition’s top four and the only team to beat Gordon, but on the flipside they dropped vital points to the rest of the sides above them.

Last time they met Waubra shocked the competition with an upset victory in round seven just as the Emus again looked to break through the glass ceiling.

James Lukich has just found his best form at the right time of year, he was the man in season 2019 when the Roos took out the premiership and Mr September could be very dangerous this August weekend.

Prediction: Waubra in an upset.

Second elimination final

Buninyong v Learmonth

For the first time since 2014 the Lakies are back in the finals but a tough test awaits in the Bombers who have won their last eight games to firm as favourites in this one.

Finals footy hasn’t been friendly to Buninyong in recent memory, bombing out in straight sets in 2019 and losing the grand final the year prior.

Learmonth will draw upon their round two encounter with Buninyong in the build-up, where they were nine-point winners thanks to four games to from spearhead Damon Folkes.

He ended the home and away season with 64 majors and will again be the key focal point and difference in this one.

Expect the Bombers to flood the backline at times with the likes of Nick Shell and Jack Robertson to have important roles standing in that defensive hole in front of Folkes.

Prediction: Buninyong comfortably.