First week of footy finals previewed

SFL Season 2015
Finals Week 1
Previewed by Ben Harrison

Qualifying Final: New Norfolk v Lindisfarne  at Boyer
New Norfolk will enter somewhat uncharted waters by playing in the first week of the SFL finals series tomorrow (Saturday) when they host Lindisfarne at Boyer. Both teams would be very keen to secure a win and take up the challenge of meeting Claremont the week after for a place in the SFL Grand Final on September 26 at KGV.

Lindisfarne seems to have a list of contributors right across the board and in recent weeks have been finishing well on the scoreboard and showing better form since their last visit to Boyer where the Eagles put on a dominant display to win big. However, winning finals at Boyer is not an unknown to the Two Blues who did just that in the 2012 semi-final, but this time it will take a contribution from every player to challenge the Eagles powerhouse.

It appears that the Eagles will have to challenge for the 2015 SFL title without the reigning William Leitch Medalist and playing coach Caden Wilson who has suffered what looks like a season ending injury. Even so the likes of Gardam and Clayton will take a lot of stopping up forward and the wily finals experience of Roger Belcher may prove invaluable once again in this game.

Player to watch: Nic Clayton (New Norfolk)

Prediction: New Norfolk by 35 points.

Elimination Final: Huonville v Brighton at Huonville
A cut-throat clash is set to take place at Huonville in the elimination final in front of what is expected to be a big crowd between two sides which only met two weeks ago at the same venue with the result
comprehensively in favour of the Huonville Lions.

The Lions return from Boyer after a disappointing performance and the Robins had to dust off the feathers for finals action after initially looking like they would miss the September action as they take losing form into this game. It seems likely that if the Huonville midfield can get enough first use of the football it should be one-way traffic for the Lions as their forward line options are numerous.

It will take another big effort from the Arnolds and Callen Daly if Brighton are to remain competitive and make it to week two of the finals. Other than a poor performance last weekend at Boyer, Huonville has been in really good form and should keep that up to prove to have a little too much class for the Robins and give themselves another crack at staying in the competition for 2015.

Player to watch: James Lange (Huonville)

Prediction: Huonville by 20 points.