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Semi Final Weekend Preview - Strathmore Community Bank Division 2

By JULIA MONTESANO


SEMI FINAL 2 - NORTHERN SAINTS v ROXBURGH PARK

Saturday 2:15pm @ Coburg City Oval

IT’s hard to tell which side comes into this match with more momentum.

The Northern Saints have come off a 37-point win over the Bears, making it their fourth win from the past five games.

The Magpies come into this game off the back of a huge 61-point win against the Fog, which earned them a coveted second chance in the finals.

That win made it five straight for Roxburgh Park, with an average winning margin of 50 points.

This gives the Magpies a huge burst of confidence heading into this clash, and the dimensions of Coburg City Oval could suit their attacking game.

However, the Saints’ attacking game is just as good and has resulted in them claiming the minor premiership, meaning that Roxburgh Park faces a huge challenge on Saturday.

The Magpies’ last loss was against the Northern Saints, and since then, their winning ways have helped them storm into the top two.

The Saints have made it three from three against the Magpies in the home-and-away season, but finals is a whole different ball-game.

Both teams would be well aware of that coming into the massive clash, so it should make for a thrilling encounter.

SEMI FINAL 1 - MOONEE VALLEY v EAST SUNBURY

Saturday 2:15pm @ Keilor Reserve

The biggest day in the history of the East Sunbury Football Club will take place here when the club plays its first ever final.

This result looked like a no-brainer at one point during the season, with the club flying high on top of the ladder.

But a shock coaching departure and a couple of consecutive one-point losses hurt the Thunder’s chances of making it into the finals series.

Moonee Valley has also had a difficult journey to make it into the finals, with late injuries to star players such as Jordan Faba and Braden Padmore halting its finals charge.

They particularly struggled against East Sunbury two weeks ago, as the Thunder ended the Fog’s six-game winning streak.

But there was no real doubt about Moonee Valley making finals, as the Fog overcame the injury obstacles to finish third on the ladder.

The doubt will come in on Saturday though, as a loss will kick them out of the finals.

Moonee Valley had a chance to sew up a top two spot against Roxburgh Park but were beaten comprehensively at Ormond Park last week.

Now, the Thunder has a chance to re-discover its lightning form from the start of the season and use it to advantage against one of the strongest Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 outfits in a do-or-die clash. 


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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