Official website of the Essendon District Football League

Semi Final Weekend Preview - SCB Premier Division

By ADEM SARICAOGLU


SEMI FINAL 2 - KEILOR v ABERFELDIE (Radio Game)

Saturday 2:15pm @ Windy Hill

IT was a remarkable final day of the home-and-away season and as proven by our two combatants here, it pays to come into finals with some form.

Let’s start with the minor premier.

The Blues have done well to hold their composure since losing Nick O’Kearney to a season-ending neck injury, going down to Greenvale at Section Road, and then losing the services of David Gourdis to suspension.

In a game that could have easily been dropped, Keilor was as professional as ever last week against Avondale Heights, clinically taking care of business to the tune of 98 points.

Aberfeldie had a similarly convincing win, only to much stronger opposition in Strathmore.

It was a battle for a top two spot in perfect conditions at Clifton Park and with Courtney Johns missing from the 22, Abers had little trouble in disposing of a somewhat undermanned Strathmore.

Johns aside, Aberfeldie is just about as healthy as it can be heading into the finals and is enjoying a five-game winning streak.

But that last loss was to Keilor, who soundly beat Aberfeldie at Clifton Park with Dean Galea kicking seven back in Round 13.

That might leave you inclined to tip the scales in Keilor’s favour, but Aberfeldie is currently the team in better form… and that usually matters a lot at this time of year.

SEMI FINAL 1 - STRATHMORE v GREENVALE (Radio Game)

Sunday 2:15pm @ Windy Hill

Unlike the two teams above, both Strathmore and Greenvale come into this elimination final off the back of some very questionable form.

Strathmore could only muster eight goals last week against Aberfeldie and prior to that, had to win ugly against both Avondale Heights and Essendon Doutta Stars.

That said, though, Nathan Grima’s men did get the job done in both of those games and at the end of the day, they’re in the business of winning.

But the Aberfeldie loss was concerning.

Tyson Mitchem and Reynolds Medal fancy Luke Jarrad were huge outs last week but their inclusions probably wouldn’t have made a five-goal difference against the reigning premier.

The fact that the Mores still had many of their stars on the park and couldn’t penetrate on the scoreboard will fill Paul Chapman and his side with some confidence coming into this knock-out final.

As far as the Jets are concerned, confidence might be a key theme in their lead-up to Sunday.

No doubt they were buoyed by their win over Keilor, but exactly how deflating was their effort against Essendon Doutta Stars seven days later?

Fort Caruso was the only notable exclusion from the Keilor win and with a top two spot up for grabs, the Jets stunk it up at Nipper Jordan Oval.

In the space of seven days, Greenvale showed us that they could either win the flag or go home with their tails between their legs this Sunday evening.

This game will likely be decided by which version of Greenvale shows up at Windy Hill.


ENTRY PRICES

Adults: $15.00

Valid Aged Pension Card Holders (must produce aged pension card): $8.00

Valid Secondary Student Concession (must produce photo ID card): $8.00

Children under 14: FREE

Your copy of The Footballer comes free with entry into the venue.


ANIMAL ACCESS RESTRICTIONS

Please note that due to recent incidents, the EDFL has decided that no animals will be permitted into any finals venues, except for dogs to assist people whose vision is impaired.

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