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Preliminary Finlas review

Courtesy Anthony Brady (3SER Casey FM)

In Preliminary Final action in the Victorian Football League (VFL) for season 2007, the Casey Radio 97.7FM 3SER team were at TEAC Oval, Port Melbourne, on both Saturday and Sunday, to witness Geelong and Coburg post comprehensive victories.

On Saturday, in the Second Preliminary Final, it was a dominant 11-goal final term by the Cats which saw them smash a hapless North Ballarat Roosters side. The margin at three-quarter time had been just five points in favour of Geelong.

Beautiful spring-time conditions greeted players at TEAC Oval on Saturday, with sunshine and a warm top temperature in the mid-20s meaning bench rotations would be high by Cats coach Leigh Tudor and Roosters mentor Gerard FitzGerald.

A slight breeze favoured the Williamstown Road end of the ground, and after winning the coin toss, Geelong captain and 2007 J.J Liston medallist James Byrne elected to kick to that end in the first term.

The crowd was surprisingly good at 3500, with the overwhelming majority being Geelong fans, who decided to forego attending local league finals to support their VFL side.

With the conditions so warm and humid, winning the coin toss and gaining an early lead was always going to be crucial, along with the Cats having access to many more AFL-listed players, whose superior fitness was always going to tell in such heat as fatigue set in.

The first quarter was a very entertaining affair, with both teams working hard to provide dash through the midfield and long, penetrating kicks into open forward lines. The Cats were gaining a lot of run off half-back through David Johnson (nine disposals) who was attempting to stake a claim to get back into the Cats AFL side, whilst midfielders Brent Prismall (12 disposals) and Tim Callan (nine) were very prolific at gaining clearances and providing lace-out passes for the forwards.

However, it was the Roosters who went into the first change ahead by one point, thanks to the sweeping work off half-back by Brett Goodes (10 disposals), as well as some good in-and-under work by Matt Riggio (seven) in the midfield, and some strong body-on-body work by returning knee victim Leigh Harding (seven disposals, four marks) up forward.

At the first break, Roosters coach and former schoolteacher FitzGerald continued positive reinforcement by going through the team stats, showing the areas his side were winning in, and other areas they could do better in. He showed that the Roosters were winning the stoppages and the clearances, and as long as they continued to deliver the ball with precision, they would be on their way to a famous victory.

The second term was another tight affair, and both teams got the same number of forward 50 entries. However, it was the Roosters inaccuracy in front of goal which cost them a little in this term, as at the half-time break both sides had had 15 effective scoring shots, yet the Cats led by 10 points.

For the term, the Cats were well served by midfielder Ryan Gamble (eight disposals) who provided a lot of run-and-carry through the midfield, while at both ends of the ground Tom Lonergan (seven disposals, four marks) proved a strong presence, and at the stoppages, young Travis Varcoe (seven) was more than handy.

For the Roosters, it was again defender Brett Goodes (seven disposals) and midfielder Matt Riggio (six) who provided much run and forward 50 entries, but the forward line let the team down a little.

Casey Radio's "Half-Time with Tiger" segment unfortunately had to be canned for this game, after Phil "Tiger" Pearce clashed with some nearby spectators.

The third term saw play open up a lot more than the first half, with lots of long, direct passing and attacking football played by both sides. Again, it was only Geelong's superior accuracy in front of goal which kept them ahead, and even then it was only just.

North Ballarat clearly outplayed the Cats for the term, and almost grabbed the lead, going in at the final change just 5 points in arrears, and setting up what everyone hoped would be a classic final term.

Major ball-winners in the term and catalysts for the great showing by the Roosters included Goodes again with nine disposals, Riggio (seven) and and utility Blake Grima (eight disposals).

For the Cats, captain Byrne stood up in typical fashion with a sensational 12 disposals and three clearances for the term, ably assisted by half-forward Henry Playfair (seven disposals, five marks) and ruckman Steven King, who gathered a whopping 20 hit-outs for the third term alone.

At the final break, Roosters general FitzGerald threw his calm, reasonable, stats-laden sermons to the crossfire, and gave an impassioned plea to his charges to give it everything they've got, for the loser there was no tomorrow, so FitzGerald exhorted his players to make sure they left nothing on the field and could be proud of their efforts come the end of the game.

Unfortunately, the fans' hopes for a classic final term were dashed early, as the Cats scored four goals in the opening five minutes on their way to a dominant 11-goal term to smash the Roosters by 62 points.

Their final term dominance was thanks to the industrious midfield work of Prismall (eight disposals), Gamble (10 disposals) and half-forward Charlie Gardiner (eight disposals, four marks).

After the game, Cats assistant coach Adrian McCartney spoke to Phil Pearce and said how the Cats had processes of simply maintaining the pressure when they didn't have the ball, and running as hard as possible when they did, as the Cats were always confident with their superior number of AFL-listed players that their fitness and strength would tell in the end.

The quarter-by-quarter scores and goalkickers from this Second Preliminary Final are as follows:

North Ballarat 3.6 5.10 11.15 13.18-96

Geelong 3.5 7.8 13.8 24.14-158

North Ballarat goalkickers: L. Thomas 4, M. Campbell 3, C. Urch 2, B. Goodes 2, J. Spolding, D. Whyman.

Geelong goalkickers: C. Gardiner 4, T. Lonergan 3, T. Hawkins 3, J. Cheep 2, J. Davenport 2, T. Grima 2, B. Prismall 2, R. Gamble 2, J. Byrne, N. Djerrkura, T. Varcoe, S. King.

Better players for the Cats included: Playfair, who spent time both in attack and across the half-back line, gathering 20 disposals and eight marks for the game, and providing a good foil for the bigger North Ballarat attacking targets; Prismall, who was voted ABC TV Man-of-the-Match with a sensational 31 disposal and 11 mark effort running through the midfield, showing that he deserves to be wearing the famous number 32 at Geelong; King, who won a staggering 41 hit-outs, 29 of which were effective, along with 17 disposals, in a loud call to the Cats AFL coaching team that he's ready, willing and able to suit up for this coming Friday night's AFL Preliminary Final against Collingwood; Gardiner, who was exceptional as a roaming half-forward target all day, finishing with 24 disposals, six marks and four goals in a terrific performance; Jay Cheep, the little man providing excellent ground work in the clinches, as well as being a good link-man from defence, finishing with 25 disposals playing through the midfield; and, captain Byrne, who was again a steady presence in the midfield, as he has been all season, finishing with 30 disposals and nine marks in another sterling performance by this football journeyman.

Better performers for the Roosters included: Riggio, who worked hard through the midfield all day to launch meaningful Rooster attacks, finishing with 27 disposals and seven marks; Goodes, who was a pillar of strength on the last line of defence, providing a lot of run out of the back line and helping the Roosters out of many sticky situations, whilst also pinch-hitting up forward a little and finishing with 29 disposals and two goals; Grima, who worked hard as a utility, putting his body on the line on many occasions and finishing with 22 disposals; Lindsay Thomas, who worked hard to win opportunistic crumbs in the forward line, as well as providing some strong leads, to finish with four goals from 12 kicks; Djaran Whyman, who tried hard as another opportunistic forward crumber, he gained 16 disposals and worked hard, particularly at the stoppages, to put his body in the line of fire; and, Matt Sharkey, who worked hard on the half-back line to provide some run out of defence for the Roosters, finishing with 19 disposals and seven marks.

In the First Preliminary Final on Sunday, also at TEAC Oval, the clash between Coburg and Williamstown was much-anticipated.

Both teams were evenly matched coming in, and another strong crowd of around 3500 anticipated a strong showing from both sides.

The weather greeting players and fans was slightly more overcast than the day before, with a much stronger breeze blowing towards the Williamstown Road end of the ground.

With many Collingwood fans in attendance, buoyed by their team's stirring extra-time victory on Friday night, the mood was one of expectation for Williamstown. Whilst famous Collingwood fan Jeff "Joffa" Corfe was at the game, Magpies president Eddie McGuire unfortunately couldn't make the trip.

It was a strange feeling for the Williamstown team, as it had been announced days before that the alignment between the Seagulls and Collingwood would not be continuing next season, with the possibility that many players would be playing their last game in blue and gold on Sunday.

The coin toss was won by Coburg captain and prominent Liston medal-poller Travis Ronaldson, who elected to kick with the wind to the Williamstown Road end.

The first quarter was an entertaining one. Coburg won most positions around the ground, yet couldn't covert accurately. The Seagulls made the most of this, taking an early led, going into the quarter-time break eight points ahead, despite having two less effective scoring shots.

Better performers for the Seagulls early included captain Brett Johnson (nine disposals) who provided a lot of run through the centre, matched well with Rhyce Shaw (eight disposals) and Shannon Cox (seven), who were also very productive.

For the Coburg side, they were well served by 2007 Frank Johnson medallist Alister Neville (10 disposals), as well as forward Patrick Bowden (eight disposals) and backman Kelvin Moore (seven).

At the first change, Coburg coach Andy Collins was his usual measured self, simply telling his players to keep up their strong workrate, make sure they win contested balls, and continue to spot up targets forward-of-play.

With the wind behind their backs in the second term, the Williamstown team extended their buffer over Coburg by playing strong, attacking football, running the lines well, and winning the stoppages.

Brett Johnson continued to lead from the front in the second term, gathering nine disposals, and was ably assisted by Adam Cook (seven possessions) and Ben Davies (eight).

The major ball-winners for Coburg during the term included Neville again with six, Andy Krakouer working hard forwards-of-centre with five, and Daniel Jackson providing some run on the wing, also with five.

Again, after the events of the previous day, "Half-Time with Tiger" had to be abandoned, but hopefully it will be back in force next Sunday at the Grand Final.

If the third term is the "premiership quarter", then Coburg seemingly sewed it up with a stunning term full of power and gut-running. The 'Burgers slammed home seven goals to nil for the term, turning an 18-point half-time deficit into a 24-point lead at the final change.

The Tigers did have the wind at their back for the quarter, but their dominance was still pronounced around the ground. It was largely thanks to the industrious in-and-under work of little men Fortunato Caruso (nine disposals) and Joe Gazzo (six), as well as the silky skills of Neville once again (seven disposals), that helped Coburg surge ahead.

For Williamstown, their better performers in a dismal quarter of football included Cox (12 disposals), veteran Paul Licuria with 10 disposals, and utility Sam Iles (eight possessions).

At the final quarter, it was another impassioned plea from a coach in the dying stages of a major final. This time, it was Williamstown's Brad Gotch at the helm. Gotch pleaded with his players to run as hard as possible at every opportunity, and leave no stone unturned in their quest to make a VFL Grand Final.

Unfortunately for the Seagulls, Gotch's words were to no avail, as the Tigers continued on their merry way, controlling play all over the ground to finish with eigh majors in the final term, and a comprehensive 61-point victory.

The run was started by Ronaldson in the ruck, who won a staggering 18 hit-outs for the quarter, combining beautifully with midfield dasher Jackson (11 disposals), and ably assisted by the reliable Jarrod Silvester seven disposals.

Better performers for Williamstown against the run of play included Davies (nine disposals), Johnson (seven) and Licuria (seven).

After the game, Coburg assistant coach and Brisbane Lions premiership player Craig McRae said how at the beginning of the season, the Coburg side of the alignment and the Richmond side were at loggerheads, with a bit of an "us versus them" attitude. However, once both parties sat down and sorted their issues, things began gelling both on and off the field, and the Coburg side has come on in leaps and bounds ever since.

Also, Coburg's last premiership coach and VFA/VFL legend Phil Cleary said that Coburg are well coached, and have excellent talls down back, enough to trouble Geelong in the Grand Final next weekend, despite the fact the Cats could field up to 17 AFL-listed players, whilst Coburg will be restricted to just the 12.

The quarter-by-quarter scores and goalkickers from the First Preliminary Final are as follows:

Williamstown 4.1 9.3 9.6 11.10-76

Coburg Tigers 2.5 5.9 12.12 20.17-137

Williamstown goalkickers: B. Reid 2, D. Stanley, P. Rose, S. Iles, A. Cook, B. Davies, L. Picken, A. Williams, B. Johnson, B. Holland.

Coburg Tigers goalkickers: J. Riewoldt 4, A. Krakouer 3, D. Connors 2, J. Schulz 2, N. Carnell 2, N. Caruso, P. Bowden, A. Neville, A. Horne, F. Caruso, J. Gazzo, T. Ronaldson.

Better players for the Tigers included: Jackson, who was particularly productive in the second half, providing much run-and-carry through the midfield, gaining 24 possessions and five clearances in a dominant effort; Neville, one of the early favourites for the Liston medal, he was prolific again at all ends of the ground, finishing with 28 disposals and six marks in another solid effort from one of Coburg's leaders; Ronaldson, the captain was sterling in ruck, particularly in the second half, winning a huge 48 hit-outs for the game in what was a mighty effort from one of the VFL's top ruckmen; Nick Carnell, who provided a wealth of strength down back for the Tigers, continually rebounding with precision, finishing with 18 disposals; Silvester, whose height down back was crucial in nullifying the taller Williamstown forwards, he finished with 18 disposals, seven marks and five defensive rebounds; and, Moore, who provided a lot of run as a "quarterback", finishing with 17 disposals and six marks in a fine job of run and rebound.

Better performers for the beaten Seagulls included: captain Johnson, who had a particularly prolific 18-possession first half, and led from the front all day, providing a lot of run and gaining many contested possessions for the 'Gulls, finishing with 27 disposals and six marks for the game; Cox, who showed he has a bright future at AFL level with his silky skills and geniune pace, he finished with 28 disposals in a classy effort, despite going quiet late in the game; Davies, who provided a lot of dash through the midfield and at the stoppages, finishing with 26 possessions and 11 marks in a strong showing; former Tasmanian Devil Iles, who continued his solid finals form with 22 disposals and seven marks, providing some good run off half-back; and, Shaw, who tried hard through the midfield, finishing with 21 possessions and seven marks in a workmanlike performance.

All this provides for a huge VFL Grand Final day next Sunday at MC Labour Park in Carlton. The day begins with the Coburg Tigers reserves taking on Port Melbourne in the Grand Final, covered live and exclusively on Casey Radio 97.7FM 3SER.

Then, at 2.15pm, the big game between Coburg and Geelong takes place. Since entering the revamped VFL in 2000, Geelong has already won a premiership, whilst also finishing runner-up last season. For Coburg, this is their first Grand Final since winning the 1989 premiership at Windy Hill, Essendon, when Phil Cleary was coach, 15,000 were in attendance, and such VFA stalwarts as Brad Nimmo, Ken Ingram and Vin Taranto were still running around.

Hopefully, if Geelong's AFL side have a win on Friday night, the Cats supporters will be buoyed into action and make the trek up the highway, and boost the crowd to hopefully 12,000 or more.

All the action will be covered on your TRU home of VFL, 97.7FM Casey Radio 3SER from 11am on Grand Final day. Tune into either 97.7FM on your radio within the Melbourne metropolitan area, or on www.3ser.org.au anywhere else, and join the team of stats man AJ Brady, Kain Pollard, Nigel Carmody, Tristan Foenander, Chris Weaver and Phil "Tiger" Pearce, and we'll ensure all your Grand Final day action is covered.