AFTER a long 2017 season, the best two teams in the Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division were Greenvale and Aberfeldie, and they will battle it out this weekend for the ultimate prize.
However, only one side can prevail.
Although they were arguably the best team all year, Greenvale still had a tough finals run in order to get to the last game of September.
A tough battle against Aberfeldie in the first final saw them go down, only to go into an arm wrestle against Maribyrnong Park last weekend which ended in unexpected ways.
A fresh Aberfeldie side, after their week off, will run out this weekend against a bruised and battered Greenvale, yet, the game definitely won’t disappoint.
Greenvale will be going over all of the areas that went wrong in the first final to ensure the same result doesn’t repeat itself.
Aberfeldie will be improving any grey areas they had and will sharpen the edges so no mistakes are made.
In the first final, when Greenvale got tired they found it difficult to get it into their forward 50, and when it did it was a lobbed kick which was rebounded quite well by a gallant Aberfeldie backline.
On top of this, the Jets’ might be down a big name, with Addam Maric being in serious doubt after a hamstring scare against Maribyrnong Park on the weekend.
Maric kicked four goals in the first final and has been a vital part of Greenvale's’ success all year, which could be a huge loss and a major help for Aberfeldie.
The other option the Jets have is Jacob Thompson, as he kicked four as well.
Now that Maric might be a possible out, Thompson will definitely need to step up again in-front of goal.
Aberfeldie were able to find targets well inside their 50, with three shots from Kyle Reimers in the dying minutes alone - something the Jets will need to be watching closely this weekend.
However, in order for the Jets to get a different result, they need to ensure their midfield get on top early, but also, they need to stay on top for four quarters and run out the whole game.
Greenvale’s midfield dropped off during the second half of the first final, and Aberfeldie’s midfield was off the leash, with spare players all over the ground giving them plenty of run.
The game will commence at 2:30pm and won’t be one to miss.
Both sides will be hungry, but only one will be victor.
See the selected squads here.
Keep track of live scores from the U19.5s, Reserves and Senior Grand Finals, as well as live radio coverage of the Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division Grand Final between Aberfeldie & Greenvale from 2:30pm on the EDFL Live App.
