The first semi delivered some outstanding games of football, let’s see if the second semi can back up the drama and excitement of last weekend.
We preview all the action below.
Mini Colts
Ramblers v Tumby Bay
The young Ramblers side will come into this game as hot favourites, going undefeated throughout the season whereas Tumby Bay finished the year 2nd on the ladder with only 3 losses.
Both sides are choc full with some great young talent.
Tom Shirley and Harry Nagel will lead the young Maggies side from the front. Both players are extremely well skilled for their age and capable of pushing forward and finishing their work on the scoreboard.
The Blues will be led by their captain Jaxon Dillon, fresh off winning their club best and fairest who will be ably supported by Nash Bodington who can play a key role up forward.
Ramblers will go into this game as favourites, but will we see a repeat of the A Grade game between the two sides with a kick after the siren?
Senior Colts
Tumby Bay vs United Yeelanna
This match should be an absolute belter with both sides claiming a win each throughout the season.
Across every line for both teams are players that have represented Great Flinders and many who have played A Grade football at some stage through the season.
The midfield battle matchup between Tully Robinson and Phillip Lawrie will be one to watch. Both players are hard working leaders of their side.
Lachlan Hancock and Brodie Cash are classy left footers who can open the game up with ease for the Eagles.
The Blues attack will be spearheaded by Rylan Jefferson who finished atop of the minor leaderboard with 56 goals, with plenty other young talent able to step up.
A game well and truly worth getting to Poochera nice and early for.
B Grade
Tumby Bay vs United Yeelanna
Tumby Bay continue to dominate the B Grade in 2024 and will face off against United Yeelanna in a repeat of last years see-sawing Grand Final.
The Blues have taken all 3 encounters between the two sides this year however both sides are likely to line up completely different.
Tyson Higgins, fresh of the GFFL Best & Fairest will play a huge role in the midfield with the Blues, alongside Brayden Calderwood and Scott Edmonds.
The Eagles will be looking to use their speed over the ground with Alex Reynolds-Rowe and Deven Canty playing outstanding footy throughout the minor round, supported by the in and under work of Ray Todd.
Aaron Lawrie will have to be watched closely for the Blues, his ability to intercept and turn defence into offence in the blink of an eye is vitally important for the Eagles.
Fillipo Fiore once again finished the year as the leading goal kicker and the Blues will look to use him at every opportunity when in a one on one position.
Tumby Bay will come into this one as favourites, however as records show, never write off the Eagles in a final.
A Grade
Lock v United Yeelanna
Lock
Ins - Macauley Glover, Casey Beard, Boyd West, Majoor Ackland
Outs - Josh Crosby, Dusty Wheare, Billy Brown, Fletcher Kammermann
United Yeelanna
Ins - Ben Carr, Ricky Skinner, Beau Sampson
Outs - Jay Duncan, Oscar Paull, Williams Symonds
What a match this one should be between the minor round premiers in Lock and the premiership juggernaut that is United Yeelanna.
Both sides come into this game with a win apiece from their home ground advantage.
On every single line there is league, Eyre Peninsula and higher reps.
Let’s look at the key matchups that will decide the game.
Kory Beard v Jaxen Norton - Two tall experienced players who can flick a switch and win a game in a quarter for their side. Beard is coming off a staggering 33 goals in his past 3 matches whereas Norton’s finals record speaks for itself, a big game player who can play defensive or attacking when required.
Damien Kelly v Matt Crettenden - These two have matched up on each other countless times over the past 6-7 years with neither having dominant games against the other. Kelly’s strength, speed and go-go gadget arms up against the class, smarts and accuracy of Crettenden will be worth the price of entry alone.
Guy Morton v Adam Murnane - Two players built for finals footy. Murnane fresh off his 2024 Mail Medal comes up against Locks inside bull in Guy Morton. Both players often play an unheralded role, putting their head over the footy and distributing to runners whilst providing tackling pressure. The winner of this matchup could decide the match for their side.
How both sides lineup will be one to watch early. Both sides have the ability to implement tags or run-with roles on opposition players if needed, however with so many stars on both lists, picking which one to stop could be a hard decision.
Everything is pointing towards a close game between the two beet sides of 2024 to date.
Comments