The F word, Finals.

[Wayde Petersen]

G'day.

I'm sorry that I couldn't do this a week earlier, which i'm upset about because I could've told you all about Colbinabbin's back to back premierships in the Heathcote League against the gallant Braodford, coached by Paul Tilley (ex Fitzroy/St Kilda) a game that I saw and quite enjoyed, this game proved to be a clash of teams from two different cultures, Broadford, the team supported by bikies and Melbourne commuters, and sponsored by the Vigilantes Motor Cycle Club, and Colbinabbin, the team supported by a town of 120 people, and sponsored by a fencing company, and a stud farm.

And Hurstbridge's first premiership in the Diamond Valley League and it's first since 1970 (when the pricks defeated Panton Hill in the old Panton Hill League) thrashing the previously undefeated Lalor by 86 points, to take the D.V.F.L's division two title, I especially enjoyed this victory because Hurstbridge are an old P.H.F.L team (and only the second PHFL side to take out a DVFL premiership, ahead of Mernda), and also they beat Lalor to do it.

Now, let's get back to the today's football action.

In the Picola League, we see Katandra play off for all 4 football premierships (Under 14's, Under 17's, Reserves & Seniors) at Katunga, this has been wonderful news for this tiny dairy farming community north of Shepparton, which has suffered tremendously over the past few years because of drought and low commodity prices, and in the big one the Kats take on the croppers of Tungamah in what should be an interesting match.

Katandra have had an easy run into the finals and have a full list to choose from, but Tungamah, who have been the best side all season in the PDFL, have had some serious injuries to key personnel (including thier captain, Jason Thompson), and some patchy form leading up to this match.

And with that aside, and with the tremendous support the Kats are going to recieve, i'm going to pick the Kats in an upset.

In the Central Goulburn League's Grand Final, perrenial finals flops Yea face the young Lions of Violet Town, as far as this game goes, there is a danger that the Yea boys might find themselves flat due to them playing this game in thier minds the night before, because of recent Grand Final failures, but considering that Violet Town have such a young side with a lack of finals experience, should be enough to see the Tigers finally win the flag at Alexandra.

In the Benalla District League, Devenish play Longwood in what could potentially be a fairytale finish for the Barbers (Devenish) after such a traumatic few years, due to the deaths of two clubmen in tragic circumstances.

Longwood, have the finals experience, but i'm going to let me heart rule over my head for this game and pick the Barbers to win thier first BDFL premiership since 1929.

And quickly in the Murray League, Tocumwal should defeat the Purples of Nathalia, in the preliminary final at Cobram, setting up what should be an all NSW affair in the Grand Final against the mighty Denilliquin Rams.

In the Kyabram League, Rushworth's enthusiasm and talented youngsters should be able to defeat Lancaster in the preliminary final at Tallygaroopna, but Rushy will have to really be on thier game against the Wombats.

And finally in the Goulburn Valley Football League, the Shepparton Swans are far too good a side to not get into the Grand Final, even though they're meeting Rochester in the First Semi Final at Tongala today, and in this spirit, i'll pick the Swannies to win but I won't be suprised if Rochy win either.

And in the Second Semi Final at Mooroopna on Sunday, is a given that Tatura will ***** all over Echuca (Murray Bombers) and take thier place in the grand final and win the lot, go Tat Doggies WOOF WOOF WOOF.

[timelord]

I knew you'd be "dancing around" with Tatura in the second semi after beating the Swans, Wayde! But don't forget, last year Benalla were in the same spot as the Swans (top of the ladder and lost the qualifying final), and they didn't get there at all.

And I can't believe Lalor would drop the grand final like that! At the risk of being a scaremongerer - could they have done that deliberately (for the same reason Mernda MIGHT - not wanting back into Division 1?)

[Wayde Petersen]

Well, well, well.

Back to my predictions, Katandra did defeat Tungamah easily 20.8.128 to Tungamah's 9.13.65 (which is pretty stiff for Tungamah, because they had a horrible run of injuries during the finals), but the Kats did it when it mattered.

And when it rains in Yea, it floods, the Tigers who have lost three grand finals in a row (all of which were narrow, heartbreaking losses), finally have cracked it for their first CGFL title against the humilliated Violet Town, Yea were never headed, eventually slaying the Lions by 114 points, 27.15.177 to 9.9.63.

In the Benalla & District League, the Barbers have finally done it, after several decades of humilliation, Devenish have finally won the premiership against Longwood (this was the game I saw this weekend), it was a close affair up until half time, but Devenish piled on four unanswerd goals early in the first quarter and held sway right up 'til the siren, to be fair to the Longwood boys, they did put up a brave fight, but in the end, Devenish were the best side all year, and they truly deserve the title "Premiers". Final Scores DEVENISH 15.11.101 d. LONGWOOD 12.10.82.

In the Murray League, Toke (Tocumwal) did defeat the Purples easily (Nathalia), 13.10.88 to 6.10.46, to set up an all New South Wales MFL Grand Final against back to back premiers, Denilliquin.

It's deja vu, all over again (Thank you Yogi Bera), as Rushworth finally succumed to the might of Lancaster, to gain thier millionth grand final place in the KDFL against Stanhope, (another annoyingly haughty and arrogant team, but not as bad as Ardmona), I hope we get a big crowd at Murchison on Saturday, not really because of the game, because sport thrives on spontinaity which the league has a terminal lack of, but because we (Murchison F.C) get all the canteen, alcohol and footy record MONEY, which is the only good thing about what will no doubt be a boring and tedious day.

And finally to the GVFL, and it's mothballs for the Shepp Swans, they were defeated by Rochester by 1 point, and in todays game Tat, after three quarters of lulling Echuca into a false sense of security, got up and earned thier Grand Final spot bny defeating the Murray Bombers by a goal, in what were two spectacular and profitable games for the GVFL.