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Rebels, Cannons advance
17 September 2007 Herald Sun
Geoff Poulter
THE weekend's TAC Cup semi-final results have ensured it will be a city versus country grand final.
The Calder Cannons had a strong 67-point win against the Eastern Ranges on Saturday to earn a preliminary final clash with the Northern Knights next weekend.
And North Ballarat Rebels will play the Murray Bushrangers in the other preliminary final on Saturday after their 42-point upset win on the weekend against Gippsland Power.
Calder coach David Flood said the Cannons had been improving in recent games.
"Since we got beaten by Murray about four or five weeks ago we are steadily getting a little bit better each week without being great," Flood said.
"We have been pretty solid. We have had a few players coming back from injuries so there have been a few reasons for that. But we were very pleased with the performance (against Eastern). Everyone has come through the game unscathed but we still have a few guys out."
Jackson Trengove was Calder's best performer in the semi-final.
"He is a ruckman, centre half-back, centre half-forward type of player," Flood said. "He was terrific on the weekend, good attitude, super-competitive. He is just a real good kid."
Dean Putt was the Cannons' leading goalkicker with five of the 22 against Eastern Ranges.
"He is another ruckman, 6ft 7in (201cm)," Flood said. "We played him on a half-forward flank at the weekend. He has got good mobility and he can go into the ruck and push forward and he really played a good role for the side on the weekend."
Northern Knights beat Calder in their only clash this season.
"They beat us in the middle of the year at Preston," Flood said. "They were too good for us that day but it has no real bearing on this week's game.
"Both sides will be changed quite a bit from then."
North Ballarat midfielder Nick Peters continues to impress and was again the Rebels' best in their comfortable win against Gippsland.
