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Kaine Hocking's Grand Final Five - Airport West Edition

Players To Watch - Essendon Ford Division 1 Grand Final


AIRPORT West has advanced to its second successive Essendon Ford Division 1 Grand Final off the back of some brilliant individual performances from key players late in the year.

EDFL Match of the Day radio analyst, Kaine Hocking, has revealed his top five Airport West players to watch in Saturday's grand final between the Eagles and Demons.


#7 - TYSON YOUNG

The reigning Hutchison Medallist and one of the favourites to go back-to-back is arguably the best player in Essendon Ford Division 1.

A key reason why is that as a combo mid/forward, he is a match-up nightmare.

When forward, he can play tall or small but when pushing through midfield, we’ve seen smaller opponents struggle to keep up with him.

He also allows coach Geoff Maddern to play a smaller, more dangerous forward line that has multiple avenues to goal.

When in the forward line, Tullamarine’s Russell Laurie is the man that’ll have his hands full.

Young has kicked 185 goals in his 111 games but on this same stage against Glenroy last year, he didn’t have a great day at the office, finishing with only one major.

This is a massive game for the young star.


#8 - CLAYTON ROGERS

Clayton Rogers is Airport West’s spiritual leader.

The 38-year-old centre half forward turned full back and is a rock inside the Eagles’ defensive 50.

He's rarely beaten one-on-one and his second and third efforts set the example for his young team mates week in, week out.

If Tullamarine’s equal leading goal kicker Ryan Pretty gets up to play here, then expect Rogers to take that match-up.

It’ll be one of the most important individual duals on the ground.


#37 - BIOR MALUAL

Bior Malual is another young star that is tall, quick and your typical two-way running wingman.

Players that are lucky enough to have such physical attributes are invaluable in grand finals, and Malual can go back and play as a third man up but then also provide run and carry on the rebound.

Tullamarine coach Dave Connell needs to make sure he pays close attention to Malual, because if he’s allowed to roam free then he’s the sort of player that’ll catch everyone’s eye and potentially walk away with the David McWilliam Medal.

But his kicking efficiency needs to improve on the unique dimensions of Windy Hill.

Daniel Devine was his opponent in the second semi, we’ll see if Connell sticks with that here.


#3 - BRENDAN GODDEN

Brendan Godden is a proven finals performer and as a flashy small forward/mid with equally flashly fluoro boots, he needs to be at his menacing best against the Demons.

Around forward 50 marking contests he’s dangerous front-and-centre but can also get you with his chase-down tackling ability if you’re too slow to repel the ball back out.

In the second semi, Godden’s pace was a highlight and complemented the Eagles’ small forward brigade well, putting consistent pressure on Tullamarine’s vaunted back six.


#33 - ALEX PENALUNA

Alex Penaluna entered the finals in form, kicking 17 of his 40 goals for the year in the past month of footy.

Whether he’s in the forward line or in the ruck, he’ll give you a contest every time.

The fact he’s kicked 40 majors for the year means he’s a dangerous forward option for the Eagles to go to and hence, requires serious attention when down there.

If he and Young are up forward together then it’ll stretch Tullamarine’s key defensive resources to their limits.

Penaluna will also be important in terms of bringing Airport West’s small forwards into the game in contested situations around goal.

Kaine Hocking will be part of the live coverage of Airport West v Tullamarine from 2pm – 5:30pm on 98.9 North West FM & Mixlr.com/edflfooty.

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