By Nick Creely
OUTER EAST FOOTBALL
DIVISION 1 PREVIEW – GRAND FINAL
DOVETON v PAKENHAM
Sunday 22 September, Woori Yallock Football Ground, 2.20pm
THE RECENT HISTORY
Qualifying final, 2019: Doveton 8.2 (50) defeated Pakenham 2.4 (16)
Round 15, 2019: Pakenham 12.18 (90) defeated Doveton 8.9 (57)
Round 10, 2019: Pakenham 14.15 (99) defeated Doveton 9.4 (58)
Round 3, 2019: Pakenham 10.8 (68) defeated Doveton 4.5 (29)
LAST SENIOR PREMIERSHIP
Doveton – 2005
Pakenham – 2009
LEADING GOAL KICKERS
Doveton – Mitchell Pierce (29)
Pakenham – Kane Tyrrell (17)
THE STATS THAT MATTER
When Doveton managed to break through and finally knock Pakenham off in the qualifying final a few weeks ago, the Lions were held to their lowest score of the season, registering just six scoring shots and 16 points for the game in wild and wet conditions at Woori Yallock. With the same ground, and the potential for some more wet weather, the key for the Doves will be to make the game a contested slog, denying the Lions enough entries inside forward 50 and an ability to move the ball freely.
Ash Green’s side got back to some of its very best football on the wide Holm Park against Monbulk, shutting the game down in the first quarter, and holding onto the lead after quarter time, a similar trend throughout the season. The Lions were actually outscored after quarter time in the preliminary final, but were never threatened. But against the Doves on a smaller Woori Yallock, the Lions will need to tinker a few things and get some big bodies around the contest. Aside from the qualifying final, the Lions have largely played some good football on the smaller grounds this season, and will back themselves to kick a winning score.
Doveton players to watch: James Gascard, Matthew Boyd, Mitch Cotter, William Smith
Pakenham players to watch: Liam Tyrrell, Chris Cardona, Stephen Morey, Joe Baker-Thomas
THE TIPSTERS
Outer East commissioner Ryan Ford:
“An intriguing contest awaits at Woori Yallock. Pakenham rebounded strongly against Monbulk last week and have been a strong side all year. They will have learnt from their last outing against Doveton at the same venue only two weeks ago but for me it’s the in-form side with a week off and what is likely to be wet conditions once again. Pakenham have even contribution all over the ground and Doveton have a few that are just made for finals football. Doveton by five points.”
Best on ground tip: Mitch Cotter (Doveton)
Outer East media manager Matt Fotia:
“The Lions will have learnt from their mistakes last time out against the Doves, but also will be pleased with the forecast which at time of tipping, suggests conditions will be a lot better than last time the two sides met. On a good day for football, they’ll be too good. Pakenham by 24 points.”
Best on ground tip: Jake Barclay (Pakenham)
Officer president Nick McLennan:
“An interesting match-up between two of the competitions best performing teams this year. Both sides are known for their ability to run with the ball and spread from the stoppages, however on a slightly smaller ground than their respective home grounds, with some looming wet weather it will be the side that adapts to the conditions quicker that will take the points. Whilst I have no doubt that Pakenham will have learnt a great deal from their last game against Doveton, I think Doveton’s slightly bigger bodies get the job done in a low scoring, contested game of football. Doveton by 14 points.”
Best on ground tip: Mitch Cotter (Doveton)
THE GAME CHANGERS
The highly talented Liam Tyrrell has been used in a variety of roles during his short senior career to date, but in 2019 has settled down nicely in the back half, using his great athleticism and aerial skill to take great marks and make life difficult for opposition clubs going inside their forward 50. But Ash Green’s superb move of throwing Tyrrell down forward was a masterstroke, and one that completely threw Monbulk off in the early stages of the preliminary final. With Pakenham’s forward line already so unpredictable, throwing Tyrrell down the ground and adding an extra dimension makes them a seriously ominous proposition.
For the Doves, it comes down to their composure with ball in hand, and there’s no player in the competition with a greater awareness of the intensity of finals football than former AFL premiership star Matthew Boyd. The former Bulldog has enjoyed life at the Doves and played probably more than expected, but his class, ball winning ability and capacity to sum up a situation and make the right decision, at the exact time his side requires it makes him such a finals game changer.
MORE
Regardless of however this clash pans out, both Pakenham and Doveton have given hope to its legions of fans who have endured tougher times than desired of recent years.
From a winless 2018, and the club on the brink of closing its doors, the Doves are one of the great local football stories of the season, clawing its way back from hopelessness to restore pride in not only the football, but also the community who holds the club so dear to its heart.
The Doves have by no means had everything its own way this season, but critically – and something they can reflect on whether it’s with a premiership medallion or not – is that they never give in, and they’re never truly out of a contest due to its grit, tenacity and willingness to leave no stone unturned.
The Doves relish the ‘underdog’ tag, with director of football Martin Stillman only recently quipping that it’s in Doveton’s DNA to be the “underdogs and battlers”. And that’s exactly what they are, a hard-nosed football side spurred on by doubters.
Daniel Charles’ group genuinely play for the love of the jumper, with its spirit and connectedness holding them together despite any of their shortcomings. It’s a recipe for greatness, in whatever form it may come.
From an on-field perspective, the Doves’ combination of youth, experience, depth and star power is well known.
At the top of the chart is champion footballer Matthew Boyd, who has brought so much composure and calmness to the group, while the likes of Mitch Cotter, Luke Daidone, Daniel Zajac, James Gascard, league best and fairest William Smith and the exciting Max Sheppard are quality footballers with so much to give, and who seem to really relish the finals stage.
For Ash Green’s Lions – who are an equally brilliant footballing story in 2019 – a premiership victory to add to an already glittering trophy cabinet at the club would be ever so sweet.
For a club – and a community – as revered as the Pakenham Football Netball Club, expectation is always going to be high, something Green openly admitted before the season.
The last few years haven’t been overly kind to the Lions, but in a way, hardship brings people closer together, and Ash Green’s group – who have grown substantially from a struggling side to an emerging powerhouse – have learnt, grown and flourished together, keeping in mind the importance of wearing the famous colours with pride.
The Lions have also been a sort of ‘underdog’ the last few years in the now defunct South East Football Netball League, struggling to overcome the might of Berwick, Narre Warren, Beaconsfield and Cranbourne, but the inaugural season of AFL Outer East season has been just the kick-starter to awaken the sleeping giant.
That pure emotional investment and buy in from not only the players, but also the fans, coaches and support staff was evident to see in an almost capacity change rooms at Holm Park after the Lions secured its spot in the grand final.
Class is glittered on every line of Green’s remarkably even group, with Liam Tyrrell, Stephen Morey and Chris Cardona just to name a few, enjoying strong individual seasons.
But it’s not about the individual with this group, it’s about playing hard, fair team-orientated football, where each player can adapt to different roles and play selflessly for their side. It’s the hallmark of a champion team.
These two clubs last played in a grand final in 2009, and in a twist of irony it was against each other, with the Lions picking up a premiership to continue a golden run of senior football. Success has eluded the two clubs since then, with both going through rough periods at times and needing to go down a more youthful path.
This time around – with the two clubs looking to reacquaint themselves on the biggest stage of them all – it’s going to be an absolute belter at the Woori Yallock Football Ground.
The Doves got a hold of the Lions in wet-weather in the qualifying final just weeks ago at the very same venue, shutting the game down early and playing supremely to the conditions that didn’t suit free flowing, exciting football.
But nonetheless, with the weather set to be a lot calmer on Sunday, the Doves will be extremely confident that they’re brand stacks up on the smaller surrounds, and that they can take away the Lions’ greatest strengths, that being control by hand and foot with a stoppage game reliant on bigger bodies and contested situations.
Whatever happens, and whoever comes out on top with one of its most famous flags, one thing is certain – it’s sure to be a contest to engross an expected monster crowd.
