SATURDAY RADIO GAME | Craigieburn v Tullamarine
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FIRST v second in a game that will take the winner directly to the Essendon Ford Division 1 Grand Final. Last week, Craigieburn made easy work of Westmeadows, defeating them by 43 points. Trailing in the first quarter, the Eagles fought their way back in the second quarter to make light work of their opponents from then on.
Tullamarine had a much easier hit-out last week against the Northern Saints. Four goals to Will Becker helped the Demons to a 98-point win. The win left them four points shy of Craigieburn in top position, who had a much superior percentage in comparison.
In the two previous meetings between the two sides this season both teams have had wins. In Round 4, Craigieburn defeated Tullamarine by 93 points. The Eagles bursted out in the second half and kicked nine goals to two.
Then, Tullamarine handed Craigieburn their first loss of the season in Round 13. The Demons dominated in that game from start to finish and gave the Eagles a big surprise. Craigieburn went on to lose their next away game to Glenroy.
This game could go either way, as the neutral venue could work to either team’s favour. Craigieburn last played at Windy Hill in the 2015 Grand Final where they were defeated by Essendon Doutta Stars, who are now in Premier Division.
My tip is Craigieburn to narrowly win in this game on Saturday.
SUNDAY RADIO GAME | Westmeadows v Oak Park
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This was a match-up Westmeadows was hoping to avoid in the finals. Having not beaten Oak Park since Round 14, 2014, and having lost to them by combined total of five points this season, the Tigers will not be hoping for a repeat event.
Last week, Westmeadows headed out to Craigieburn where they were comfortably defeated. They were leading at the first break but let the game slip. The result of the game had no effect on the standing at the end of the round, but it left Westmeadows on equal points with Oak Park and Hillside at fourth and fifth, respectively.
Oak Park had to defeat Taylors Lakes last week, and they had to win big to overcome the Hillside percentage. They did this well, and put the foot on the gas early with a 46-point lead at the quarter time break. They ended up winning by 88 points, which was enough to take fourth spot.
The win will be a massive confidence boost for Oak Park and they play Westmeadows on Sunday at Windy Hill, a team that they have not lost to in several years now.
The two teams first met in Round 2, where Oak Park came from behind in the last quarter to win by three points. In that game, the Kangaroos took an early first quarter lead before surrendering it in the second.
The return match saw Oak Park establish a good early lead before the Tigers fought back in the third term and found their way to the lead in the last, only to fall short by two points at the final siren.
My tip is Oak Park for this game, going off previous games between the sides. But this should be close and interesting, nonetheless.
