Preliminary finals have always been one of the great days in football and Saturday’s promises to be a humdinger when Phillip Island and Nar Nar Goon collide in a mouth-watering clash at Dalyston.
Who will ever forget the Bulldogs preliminary final win over Warragul Industrials last year, an extra-time thriller that became an instant classic.
The Bulldogs won, with Orlando Kane-Gillard the hero, but the physical and mental effort took a tremendous toll a week later.
This one could be equally as tight!
These two drew in their only clash this season in round four, but how much we take away from that – pertaining to this week’s encounter – well that’s questionable.
In last week’s one-point loss to Inverloch-Kongwak, the Bulldogs had five different faces from round four…while the Goon had six in its comfortable victory over Warragul Industrials.
Jack Opitz, Jack Papas, Jordy Patullo, Matt Jones and Kane-Gillard were the fresh faces for the Bulldogs, while the Goon’s list of inclusions is equally as impressive.
Star forward Dermott Yawney was missing from that round-four engagement along with the dangerous Jarrod Smith, while Jake and Sam Blackwood, and youngster Clancy Pope, are now regular features in the backline.
And runner Euan Grierson had some huge moments in the win over the Dusties last week.
But what we can take away from that early-season clash is the competitive nature of two leaders.
Phillip Island coach Cam Pedersen produced a masterful final term, dragging his team to the draw…while Goon skipper Trent Armour could not have been braver.
Armour played a large portion of the match with a broken cheekbone that saw him miss the following four games.
That’s what we’ve got here – two teams that will simply refuse to buckle.
The Bulldogs have proven their mettle over their last two games, drawing and losing by one-point in consecutive games against Inverloch, while the Goon boys are running on top of the ground and appear to have timed their run to perfection.
We’re in for an absolute treat!
MATCH-UPS IN 2023
ROUND 4 AT PHILLIP ISLAND
PHILLIP ISLAND 0.3 0.6 3.8 9.9(63)
NAR NAR GOON 0.2 4.5 8.7 9.9(63)
HEAD-TO-HEAD IN WGFNC 2017-2023
Phillip Island 7
Nar Nar Goon 3
Draw 1
KEY PLAYERS
Phillip Island
Max Blake – Key Forward
Phillip Island will need to negate one of Nar Nar Goon’s key strengths, its intercept marking down back, and the energetic and fearless Blake could be the man for the task. Much like Brody Mihocek does for Collingwood, Blake covers ground and hits packs hard which will be important in stopping James Cairns, Jake Blackwood and Flynn Parker from doing their things across half back. Only kicked one goal when the teams met in round four…but could hit the scoreboard hard on the weekend.
Cameron Pedersen – Ruck-Forward
Here’s the story. Nar Nar Goon led by 29 points, eight minutes into the final term in round four, before Pedersen went nuts…playing a huge part in the ensuing draw. He first gave a direct goal-assist to Eli Richards, and then kicked four goals in nine minutes to single-handedly pull his team back into the contest. Nar Nar Goon coach Justin Stanton will say his team learned from that outing…but if Pedersen gets hot there’s not a player, or players, in the competition that can stop him. It sends goosebumps up your spine when you think just how good the 36-year-old still is!
Tarquin McQuillan – Key Defender
Phillip Island didn’t have to worry about dangerous Goon forward Dermott Yawney back in round four, he was injured, but it will this time around. One of the big questions swirling around in Cam Pedersen’s mind will be…Who gets first crack at Yawney? McQuillan and Coby Olarenshaw would appear the obvious match-ups, or does Pedersen throw the important gig to versatile and experienced types in Jack Taylor or Mark Griffin. Taylor has played 17 finals for the Doggies, and Griffin 15, so the big occasion won’t get the better of them. But we’ll go for McQuillan to get first crack!
Nar Nar Goon
James Cairns – Key Defender
Cairns was brilliant with his intercept marking against Cora Lynn in the elimination final and played an important role as Warragul Industrials consistently broke down across half forward last week. You get the feeling that Phillip Island coach Cam Pedersen will try and make Cairns, Jake Blackwood and Flynn Parker far more accountable this week…and not allow them to sag off and help. Cairns is massively important to what the Goon do…and will be a major barometer for how this game plays out. Will have Pedersen, Daniel Bourke, Max Blake, Travis Woodfield and Jack Taylor as opponents at time – so how brave will he be with the intercept?
Deon Boavida – Clever Forward
While most of Phillip Island’s attention will be on Dermott Yawney this week, the Bulldogs will need to watch Boavida who has been a revelation this year. Came across from The Basin with coach Justin Stanton this season and has kicked 38 goals, and 10 times has kicked multiples. Didn’t get off the chain last week against the Dusties, but his four goals in the elimination final against Cora Lynn was a better indication of his talents. Will need to be watched closely!
Matthew Homfray – Half Forward
Very underrated, but Homfray plays a key role in Nar Nar Goon’s transition out of defence. Pushes up the ground and is quite often the Goon’s bail-out option when nothing else is on. Took some key marks between the arcs last week, allowing the forwards and mids time to get forward and be dangerous. Won’t be at the top of Cam Pedersen’s hit-list, but is vitally important to how the Goon wants to play its footy. A selfless workhorse.
THE TIP
This one is beautifully poised, isn’t it? They haven’t seen each other since they drew in round four, and both teams will give different looks this time around. The Goon looks ominous, playing some classy football, and appear to have timed their run perfectly. This is a step up in class from its first two finals…but we’re tipping the Goon to make its first grand final in 13 years with a thrilling two-point victory.
