Clash of the heavyweights

The highly-touted Caleb Serong is set to be taken early in the draft. Picture: COURTESY OF KATE MITCHELL

By Tyler Lewis

NAB LEAGUE

PREVIEW – QUALIFYING FINAL

GIPPSLAND POWER v OAKLEIGH CHARGERS

LAST WEEK:

Both Oakleigh and Gippsland had the week off for Wildcard Round but if the last game of the year is a trailer for what to expect in the finals.

These two sides are about to put on a show.

Gippsland escaped with a victory in a match they controlled for only passages of play, but like good sides do, the Power didn’t role over when tested and won stole the match from Bendigo in the dying minutes, 10.13 (73) to 9.9 (63).

Oakleigh stormed home in a mesmeric display off the back of top two shoe in’s Matthew Rowell and Noah Anderson.

The Chargers slotted six final term goals to overrun the Dragons, 14.7 (91) to 13.6 (84).

Gippsland players to watch: Sam Flanders, Riley Baldi and Caleb Serong
Sam Flanders will no doubt come across the match-up of Matthew Rowell inside the engine room.

The tough inside midfielders will be first to the ball often and it will be a crucial match-up not only in the context of their side’s season but in the context of Flanders draft positioning.

In the final match against Bendigo, Riley Baldi was easily the best individual on the ground.

With 27 disposal, two goals and numerous score involvements – the versatile prospect proved he can also win games from his own boot.

If he is to venture onto the wing, he may come across Trent Bianco to create another mouth-watering contest.

Caleb Serong has the X-factor that wins finals.

In a game where crucial match-ups are all over the park, Serong is the type of player to ruin any set and forget tactics Oakleigh coach Leigh Clarke may have.

Oakleigh players to watch: Matthew Rowell, Noah Anderson and Trent Bianco
Matthew Rowell steps up in big games and is always a class above in the NAB League.

From a long way out, Rowell was touted as the number one draft pick and his form has only strengthened that claim.

The Carey Grammar student’s form on the big stage can’t be questioned.

Winning the best on ground medal in the grand final loss to the Stingrays as a bottom ager in 2018 and then the best afield award again when the academy played Casey earlier this year on the MCG.

Rowell’s highly publicised close friend Noah Anderson is just as damaging, and at times more freakish.

In the six goal final term against the Dragons that brought the Chargers to third on the ladder, Anderson slotted two of them himself and finished the match with three majors to go with his 24 disposals.

Trent Bianco accompanied his stablemate top prospects in the Team of The Year on the wing.

Bianco finds a lot of the footy, averaging 25 disposals this year in the NAB League including a 42 disposal match against Tasmania Devils.

LAST TIME THEY MET:

The two sides met only once this year and it was in the Nationals period where both sides were weakened.

However, the Power’s depth was on display in the big 13.13 (91) to 6.9 (45) win.

Fraser Phillips slotted five in a best on ground display and Ryan Sparkes was at his smooth moving best.

PREDICTION:

This game will be extremely different form the last time the two sides met.

Both the Power and the Chargers could be the most stacked sides in the competition and wouldn’t disappoint if these two were to meet in the grand final.

But at this stage, Oakleigh are running hot – not losing a match since the game against the Power in June.

Oakleigh by less than a goal.

GAME DETAILS

VENUE Ikon Park, North Carlton

DATE Sunday 1 September

TIME 1:30PM

*All matches are streamed to the NAB League app*