MOONEE VALLEY v MARIBYRNONG PARK
Semi Final 1 (Elimination)
Saturday 9:00am at Windy Hill
MOONEE Valley and Maribyrnong Park will kick off a super Saturday at the EDFL’s home of finals football, Windy Hill.
For both teams in their inaugural year, it will be an exciting opportunity to get a taste of what playing on grand final day could feel like.
Moonee Valley will be smarting after their 65-point defeat at the hands of Keilor Park and will not want to be bundled out in straight sets.
Maribyrnong Park on the other hand are riding on a wave of momentum, with their 37-point win over Roxburgh Park, becoming their seventh in a row.
It was the Lions who were able to apply scoreboard pressure on the Fog in their last match-up, creating an additional 13 scoring opportunities.
With the Fog’s leading goal kicker, Georgia Marsland, also coming into the game under an injury cloud, that increases the pressure on their midfielders and defence to lock down on the Lions and limit their opportunities, whilst also looking to set up attacking play and find alternative avenues to goal.
Erin Tarollo has also built a consistent season, so the Lions will also be seeking to curb her influence.
The danger for the Fog is that the Lions have been able to create great depth across their team over the course of the season and on a weekly basis, they have new faces popping up to play strong team roles.
Against the Magpies, the Lions’ best players featured Carly McDermott (fifth game) and Josie Andrighetti (second senior game – three-goal performance).
All eyes will be on the following match for the winner here, as it will set up a preliminary final show down.
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS v KEILOR PARK
Semi Final 2
Saturday 10:50am at Windy Hill
After a week off, the Stars will begin their finals campaign against an impressive Keilor Park, with the match to feature two of the competition’s in-form midfield running forward targets.
The Stars have a number of first-year players making their first finals appearance and will need to look to their experienced teammates for leadership.
This is a big moment for players, including Sophie Fazzolari and Meagan Aherne, to step up.
The Devils are a composed team with a great spread of players who can win their position across the ground.
This was critical in their first finals win and will be even more important here, as led by captain Jordan Gwynne.
The Devils produced a spirited four-quarter qualifying final effort against Moonee Valley, which was capped off by Sam German (seven goals) alongside Lauren Clark, Amber McCabe and Cheyene Macumber.
For Douttas, Aleesha Hobbs topped the goal kicking chart after the home-and-away season with an eight-goal performance steering the Stars to a decisive Round 14 victory against Greenvale 97-2.
In the last match between the Stars and Devils, both German and Hobbs only registered a goal apiece but have upped their scoreboard impact since then.
Just how much time both players spend in the midfield compared to up forward will be an interesting structural and match-up decision.
Both players loom as game-changers.
SUNBURY KANGAROOS v HILLSIDE
Semi Final 1 (Elimination)
Saturday 12:40pm at Windy Hill
How quickly both teams can settle in this match, could be telling.
Hillside have been the biggest surprise of the Premier Division this year, while the Sunbury Kangaroos have put together a strong season.
Yet, with no second chance on offer here, neither team will be willing to settle on the positives of previous results.
In the first week of finals, three quarters was enough to earn Hillside a spot in their first semi final match, while a fast finishing last quarter couldn’t get the Kangaroos over the line for a shot against Aberfeldie.
Hillside recorded their second win in two weeks over Burnside Heights in a confrontational elimination final, with neither team willing to take a back step.
Ebony Wilkie (four goals) and Annalise Wilkie led from the front, while Nikita Wright was also influential, turning defensive play into attack.
Overlap run is a strength of the Sharks and they will have the wide expanse of Windy Hill to try and spread the Kangaroos’ defence.
For Sunbury, Teaghan Tweedly’s and Regina Said’s two final term goals were encouraging, but simply came too late against Keilor.
Simone Craige and Tylah Bell will need to set the tone for the Kangaroos early against the Sharks by winning the ball out of the middle.
Should the Kangaroos establish an early lead, as they have in their last two match-ups against the Sharks, this could shake the confidence and energy of their opposition in their biggest test thus far and make it their game for the taking.
ABERFELDIE v KEILOR
Semi Final 2
Saturday 2:30pm at Windy Hill
Who will be the first team to qualify for the EDFL Women’s - Premier Grand Final on August 24?
At around 4:20pm on Saturday, we will have the answer.
For the other team, it won’t quite be season over, as a preliminary final spot beckons.
Two goals were the difference back in Round 7.
Under finals conditions, the margin could be even smaller.
Keilor has the opportunity to cause an upset on its third attempt and spoil Aberfeldie’s unbeaten run, however it will take their most complete four-quarter performance for the season.
Aberfeldie will come into this match, feeling fresh after a week off, having watched their opposition battle it out last week, especially in a tight final term.
They could look to run the Blues off their legs and gaining control across the ground will therefore be even more crucial.
Clearances will be hard-won as prominent players, including Christie Roberts and Kallyn Gent, will go head to head with Amy Starzer and Olivia Madden.
In Round 2 Aberfeldie had eight different goal kickers, but this was halved to four in Round 7.
Keilor’s backline, led by Amanda Seoud and Shenay Thomas, will again need to build a resolute wall, limit opportunities through the middle and over the back and provide run in the other direction.
Kylie Kennedy and Amber Wescombe loom as big game players for Aberfeldie.
Wet weather football looks likely but be sure that it won’t dampen the spirits of both teams, as they seek to book a place in the biggest game of the year.
WINDY HILL ENTRY PRICES:
Adults: $10.00
Valid Aged Pension Card Holders (must produce aged pension card): $5.00
Valid Secondary Student Concession (must produce photo ID card): $5.00
Children under 14: FREE
ANIMAL ACCESS RESTRICTIONS:
No animals will be permitted into any finals venues, except for dogs to assist people whose vision is impaired.
