SUNBURY KANGAROOS v MOONEE VALLEY
Semi Final (Qualifying)
Saturday 2:15pm at Sewell Reserve
THE question being asked around the traps is whether the Sunbury Kangaroos can be beaten in 2019.
Right now, the answer seems to be no, as the Kangaroos went undefeated through the home-and-away season.
Round 18 served as a finals dress rehearsal against the team they’ll play here, Moonee Valley.
Already locked into top spot, coach Anthony Leydin used last week to rest some key players, including Lachie Baddeley, John Corso, Daniel Gregory and Brad Slater.
For a half at Ormond Park, the Roos were a little shaky as Moonee Valley kept with them on the scoreboard but by game’s end, Sunbury showed its class to win by 29 points – its third lowest winning margin for the year.
Despite going down, there were plenty of positives to take out if it for Moonee Valley coach, Shanon Carroll.
Braden Padmore booted six goals on return from suspension and according to Leader Newspapers, Rocky Ferraro, Robert Ryan, Sam Milne and Luke Egan will be available for selection as well.
If the Valley can successfully lock down on Sunbury’s outside game for four quarters, then it’s a chance of claiming an upset and going to the grand final, but to do so against this Kangaroos side would be a first for anyone in the division.
COBURG DISTRICTS v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Semi Final (Elimination)
📻 Radio Game 📻
Saturday 2:15pm at Greenvale Recreation Reserve
It was an ideal lead-in to finals for both Coburg Districts and Burnside Heights last week.
The Lions were able to rest some of their prime movers, including Tom Lucin, Matthew Vesnaver and Ben Fisher against Keilor Park so Chris Tankard, who could be coaching in his final game for the club this weekend, should have a healthy squad to choose from.
Districts recovered nicely from its 62-point Round 17 loss to the Sunbury Kangaroos and piled on 38 goals to three against the Devils last week.
It was the Lions’ sixth win from seven starts, which included a comfortable 32-point victory over Burnside Heights back in Round 13.
However, that win came as Burnside Heights was without the division’s goal kicking champion for 2019, Josh Covelli.
In the first meeting between these clubs in Round 3, the Bears won by 32 points with Covelli kicking two and smaller forward, Matthew Peterlechner booting four.
Districts defender Justin Blackley, the leading candidate to take Covelli, could prove to be the most important Lion on the ground come Saturday.
Covelli kicked 11 snags against Hadfield last week to claim his second consecutive goal kicking title and looks to have overcome the ankle complaint that kept him on the sidelines in Rounds 16 and 17.
If he and Peterlechner fire, then Districts will have its work cut out and will be looking to win the midfield battle to limit supply.
SEMI FINAL ENTRY PRICES:
Adults: $15.00
Concession: $8.00
Under 14 years: FREE
ANIMAL ACCESS RESTRICTIONS:
No animals will be permitted into any finals venues, except for dogs to assist people whose vision is impaired.
MATCH FILMING RESTRICTIONS:
SportsCast Australia only.
STILL PHOTOGRAPHY RESTRICTIONS:
Approved media outlets only. The EDFL will provide coloured vests to approved photographers.
