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PRELIMINARY FINAL PREVIEW | Strathmore Community Bank Division 2

By MICHAEL HABER


SATURDAY RADIO GAME | East Keilor v Moonee Valley

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EAST Keilor takes on Moonee Valley this weekend in a game that decides who goes through to play Roxburgh Park in the Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 Grand Final next weekend. 

East Keilor came out of their match last week looking like a second rate team, while the Fog sent a message to the remaining two clubs with an easy victory over Keilor Park.

The big thing that East Keilor need to work on and fix in time for this week is getting the ball inside 50. 

There were many times last week where their midfielders almost looked too scared to put the ball inside 50. 

They lacked confidence and didn’t back themselves when going for goal. This week they need to go out there and play football. They need to focus on getting their midfielders, like Con Grampsas and Cooper Bryant, to assist their forward line and to give them a chance. 

Moonee Valley’s forward line is arguably the best in the division with many key targets. 

They will need to utilise this advantage as it is something they have over East Keilor. 

They also have many more bigger bodies, such as Josh Covelli and Rhys Gleisner, that are dangerous in the air and in one-on-one, even one-on-two contests. 

Having those big men in key positions will be crucial if they want to win the game.

Paris Grampsas needs to be on the ball again this week as he has been in the past. He will have a tough job in commandeering the Cougar defence but he has proven he is more than capable of doing so in the past. 

Cooper Bryant has also been in great form recently, putting his body on the line and doing many small things that have made huge differences to the end result of the match. 

Brendan Lucas is the other Cougar that needs to be on fire this week. He is his side’s highest goal-scorer and they will be needing him to score many goals this week.

Josh Covelli will be crucial for his side. Being the Fog’s leading goal-scorer and averaging four goals a game, sets him up for a big game this week. 

Stuart Taylor is another player that the Valley need to be in form. His hard-ball gets and his ability to sneak goals is paramount to their success. 

Matthew Wedlock is the other player that needs to step it up yet again for this crucial Prelim Final.

Ever since coming into the team halfway through the season, he has proven himself as a strong contributor.

All eyes are on this game. 

There is added pressure for East Keilor as they were the relegated team from Essendon Ford Division 1 last season. 

Losing the way they did last week was poor and if they play like that again this week against a very formidable side in Moonee Valley, it will seriously deter their credibility. 

Moonee Valley will be favourites based on form and the fact that they have beaten East Keilor on two of their three outings this season.

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