EAST KEILOR v TULLAMARINE
Saturday 2:15pm at Coburg City Oval
NOT too long ago this match shaped as the Grand Final match-up, with the two sides flying.
A lot has changed since then, with Craigieburn swooping past both sides as the first team through to the September 14 Grand Final.
What we have here is a Preliminary Final that could quite easily go either way.
The Cougars will be hurting after letting the Eagles off the hook in the last quarter of their second semi on Saturday.
Having smashed the Eagles in the final home-and-away round the week before, it was a complete turnaround this time around.
Craigieburn led by three points at three-quarter time and then stormed home with seven last quarter goals to get the win.
Cougars' coach Pat Christofi came out and said that his side was outworked in the last quarter when it really mattered.
Key forward Dion Hill returned for East Keilor, kicking three goals and will be better for the run.
He was the Cougars’ only multiple goal kicker.
While Hill was the main target, it was the usual suspects who stood out for the Cougars, with the experienced Ash Arrowsmith leading from the front.
Ben Caluzzi, Josh Grabowski and Joseph Palazzolo also had good games.
With East Keilor’s stars doing what they normally do, it’s the lesser likes that will have to step up this weekend to ensure they play four quarters of football.
Tullamarine, on the other hand, produced one of their best performances of the year to eliminate Westmeadows.
The Demons were switched on mentally, which was a big key for them.
They stuck to the game plan when the Tigers were on top and then dominated for a quarter on the scoreboard, like they’ve shown they can do all season.
Tim Matson kept Omar Saad to just one goal and could quite easily get the job on Hill this week.
Coach Dave Connell showed that the Demons have still got some tricks in the bag.
He put Blair Cronin deep forward, while throwing Jack Burns forward late in the game.
Both kicked four goals, giving the Demons more options in attack.
And in a bigger bonus, Anthony Prestia and Cameron Hare played their best games since returning from injury.
The two teams played each other twice during the home-and-away season and split those matches.
The last meeting, three weeks ago, had plenty of spice to it.
The Cougars came from 29 points down at three-quarter time to get the win.
It’s a loss that still hurts the Demons.
Both semi finals were decided in the final quarter and the two teams had contrasting ends to their respective games.
Can the Demons do much of the same, or will East Keilor respond?
ENTRY PRICES
Adults: $15.00
Concession: $8.00*
Under 14 years: FREE
*Valid Aged Care Pension Card Holders (must produce aged pension card)
*Valid Secondary Student Concession (must produce photo I.D. card)
Spectators will get a FREE copy of The Footballer upon entry into all finals venues (while stocks last).
ANIMAL ACCESS RESTRICTIONS
No animals will be permitted into any finals venues, except for dogs to assist people whose vision is impaired.
MATCH FILMING & PHOTOGRAPHY
The EDFL will only permit approved media outlets and suppliers to take photos and film matches at all EDFL Finals venues.
Any photographers or videographers who are not wearing the official EDFL Media Coloured Vest will be asked to cease their activity immediately or risk being ejected from the venue.
All Media Vest requests are to be referred directly to adem.s@essendondfl.com.au.
