D2 2014

[Richo!]

St Marys issued some very strong messages to all and sundry in D2 on the weekend with big wins over Kew in the ones and twos. Congratulations on promotion up into D1 where I think they will perform well as the young talent of the club continues to develop.

Kew will re-group no doubt, as you don't finish in the top two without being able to play some decent football. Will be a cracking game between the Turtles and Bears in the ones and looking forward to the challenge of playing them in the twos.

Trying conditions out at Craigieburn on Sunday with a strong breeze impacting the two games that were played out there and making goal kicking a little more difficult. That said, the Turtles were just way to strong for OP's on the day and ran the ball far better into the breeze when kicking against it.

Looking forward to another big week of finals action this weekend.

Chump

Tips for this weekend?

Reserves: Ivanhoe by 5 goals
Seniors: Old Eltham by 3 points

 

[VAFA Spectator]

VAFA Div 2 B&F

1. Tanner (SMS)
2. Bishop (Kew)
3. Boundy (OP)
4. Brazzale (Kew)
5. McLean (SMS)
6. Kandilakis (OP)

The Smokey - Andrews (SMS) who I am told had 4 BOG in the first 5 rounds

 

[tape me up]

Tips for this weekend?

Reserves: Ivanhoe by 5 goals
Seniors: Old Eltham by 3 points

Kew 1's and 2's out in straight sets....

 

[game on]

I've liked Ivanhoe in the Reserves all year. I think they will win their way through and go on to win the big one.

Kew will be far too good for Old Eltham.

 

[Chump or Champ]

Tips for this weekend?
Reserves: Ivanhoe by 5 goals
Seniors: Old Eltham by 3 points

Seniors:
should be a cracker with Eltham the victor on both occasions throughout the home and away season. I think that the Bill Lawry oval will suit the turtles and with a few players back last week who will be better for the run, they look well placed to make the big dance. That said, Kew playing their best footy has been a very, very good team and with it ALL on the line this week you would imagine this final should be a belta!!!
The turtles in a close one - 5 points - Ciavola to kick the winner.

Reserves:
again should be a tight game with a 'one each' record for the home and away season. The last time we met the Bears gave us a bit of a belting and it's something we are very keen to rectify in this weeks final. Both sides look to be reasonably injury free for the game, so you would expect a good standard of twos footy and a tight final. Some good match ups that will be crucial in who gets the result they are after. I think we (Hoes) can get over the line if we play our best footy and register a win by 11 points.

Chump.

 

[VAFA Spectator]

I've liked Ivanhoe in the Reserves all year. I think they will win their way through and go on to win the big one.

Kew will be far too good for Old Eltham.

I can't see Ivanhoe getting over St Mary's in the GF (Reserves), they haven't matched them so far this year and SMS will be fresh after a week off.

 

[Chump or Champ]

I can't see Ivanhoe getting over St Mary's in the GF (Reserves), they haven't matched them so far this year and SMS will be fresh after a week off.

Fair point and no matter who SMS play next week (Kew or Hoes) they would have to be raging favorites off the back of recent form and the weeks rest. Just hopeful that we play well enough this weekend to get the opportunity!

Chump

 

[onceuponatime]

Seniors:
should be a cracker with Eltham the victor on both occasions throughout the home and away season. I think that the Bill Lawry oval will suit the turtles and with a few players back last week who will be better for the run, they look well placed to make the big dance. That said, Kew playing their best footy has been a very, very good team and with it ALL on the line this week you would imagine this final should be a belta!!!
The turtles in a close one - 5 points - Ciavola to kick the winner.

Reserves:
again should be a tight game with a 'one each' record for the home and away season. The last time we met the Bears gave us a bit of a belting and it's something we are very keen to rectify in this weeks final. Both sides look to be reasonably injury free for the game, so you would expect a good standard of twos footy and a tight final. Some good match ups that will be crucial in who gets the result they are after. I think we (Hoes) can get over the line if we play our best footy and register a win by 11 points.

Chump.

Hello all.

Im with you on those predictions Chump, i think the Turtles will progress into the final. Kew may be a bit tired from what i have heard, which is to be expected with such a young a side! Eltham play a good physical brand of footy and i think it will be to much for the younger bodies of Kew. Turtles by 3 goals.

I also think Ivanhoe will progress to the final with ease in the 2s, will be far too quick and have too much talent for the Kew reserves side.
Ivanhoe by 9 goals.
I think you will be a genuine chance to knock off SMS in the GF the following week chump in an absolute belter of a reserves game.

Did anyone witness either of the senior games on the weekend? i was very surprised by SMS knocking off Kew, any insight to how? not so surprised by the other result!

 

[VAFA Spectator]

Hello all.

Im with you on those predictions Chump, i think the Turtles will progress into the final. Kew may be a bit tired from what i have heard, which is to be expected with such a young a side! Eltham play a good physical brand of footy and i think it will be to much for the younger bodies of Kew. Turtles by 3 goals.

I also think Ivanhoe will progress to the final with ease in the 2s, will be far too quick and have too much talent for the Kew reserves side.
Ivanhoe by 9 goals.
I think you will be a genuine chance to knock off SMS in the GF the following week chump in an absolute belter of a reserves game.

Did anyone witness either of the senior games on the weekend? i was very surprised by SMS knocking off Kew, any insight to how? not so surprised by the other result!

I went to Casey Fields and saw both the Reserves and Ones. The Reserves were pretty dominant, hence my comment above.

The Seniors was a bit of a surprise. Kew never looked comfortable with the speed of SMS across the big ground. Brazzale was pushed wide all day, so most of his shots on goal were from near the boundary. Brough got jumped all over by the two younger SMS ruckmen and was pretty ineffective all day, I was surprised Aitken persisted with him to be honest. James Rogers was pretty effective up forward, kicking 3 and contributing to a few others, Latsas fed off the ruck domination and seemed to enjoy the open spaces, pushed off just about every tackle, and Andrews played both midfield and CHF and was really damaging.

The upside for SMS is that Tanner (SMS B&F winner) and McLean were both below their best and haven't had 2 quiet weeks in a row this year. A well rested, hard running St Mary's will be hard to beat next week for whoever gets up Saturday.

 

[onceuponatime]

I went to Casey Fields and saw both the Reserves and Ones. The Reserves were pretty dominant, hence my comment above.

The Seniors was a bit of a surprise. Kew never looked comfortable with the speed of SMS across the big ground. Brazzale was pushed wide all day, so most of his shots on goal were from near the boundary. Brough got jumped all over by the two younger SMS ruckmen and was pretty ineffective all day, I was surprised Aitken persisted with him to be honest. James Rogers was pretty effective up forward, kicking 3 and contributing to a few others, Latsas fed off the ruck domination and seemed to enjoy the open spaces, pushed off just about every tackle, and Andrews played both midfield and CHF and was really damaging.

The upside for SMS is that Tanner (SMS B&F winner) and McLean were both below their best and haven't had 2 quiet weeks in a row this year. A well rested, hard running St Mary's will be hard to beat next week for whoever gets up Saturday.

VAFA spectator seems to be a SMS insider.
Thank you for the info, im sure all other teams will appreciate it!

 

[VAFA Spectator]

VAFA spectator seems to be a SMS insider.
Thank you for the info, im sure all other teams will appreciate it!

Not an insider, don't play for them, never played for them, never coached them, never been a committee member etc etc.. just an old football lover (disillusioned Blues supporter) who wandered down to the ground 3 years ago and have watched a lot of their games since.
I think Kew were there and saw what happened, no secrets that Latsas, Rogers and Andrews played well, they were named in their best.

 

[workhorse]

I went to Casey Fields and saw both the Reserves and Ones. The Reserves were pretty dominant, hence my comment above.

The Seniors was a bit of a surprise. Kew never looked comfortable with the speed of SMS across the big ground. Brazzale was pushed wide all day, so most of his shots on goal were from near the boundary. Brough got jumped all over by the two younger SMS ruckmen and was pretty ineffective all day, I was surprised Aitken persisted with him to be honest. James Rogers was pretty effective up forward, kicking 3 and contributing to a few others, Latsas fed off the ruck domination and seemed to enjoy the open spaces, pushed off just about every tackle, and Andrews played both midfield and CHF and was really damaging.

The upside for SMS is that Tanner (SMS B&F winner) and McLean were both below their best and haven't had 2 quiet weeks in a row this year. A well rested, hard running St Mary's will be hard to beat next week for whoever gets up Saturday.

I wouldn't even say those guys had dominant games but more that St Marys, as a unit, came out with a lot more intensity. Apart from maybe Latsas, and the rest of the on-ball unit, I don't think many St.Marys players stood out as match-winners - they just had no passengers and clearly all came to play the way they had prepared.

Kew missed Allman at CHF no doubt but I think that first 10 minutes of the 1st qtr and first 15 minutes of the last qtr will give the Bears confidence that playing a full game at that intensity should see them get on top of anyone (which is obvious really, when you finish on top)

 

[VAFA Spectator]

I agree there were no stand out match winners on the day. It was a very even performance.

I doubt that SMS are planning on taking Kew for granted if they meet again in the GF. Kew were very impressive all season.

 

[Chump or Champ]

Kew missed Allman at CHF no doubt finish on top)

Allman was a big loss for Kew seniors last week, as was Watts (and O'keefe who was in the ones) for the Kew reserves.

Chump

 

[Richo!]

Watts and Allman out for the season has hurt the Bears - just can't see them winning tomorrow. Could SMS win 3 flags? That would be huge considering it's Jess' first year as senior coach

 

[sidewinder]

Watts and Allman out for the season has hurt the Bears - just can't see them winning tomorrow. Could SMS win 3 flags? That would be huge considering it's Jess' first year as senior coach

Well it's well overdue since they got out of D4 by default!

 

[clint_mccoy]

Preliminary Final
Kew - Old Eltham
The Bears to bounce back and win comfortably.

 

[Chump or Champ]

Fair point and no matter who SMS play next week (Kew or Hoes) they would have to be raging favorites off the back of recent form and the weeks rest. Just hopeful that we play well enough this weekend to get the opportunity!

Chump

Looking forward to the week and the opportunity to take on SMS in the GF after a good win over the bears. Played some good footy in the first half, but a 1 man bench half way through the third on a warm day made things a bit tough to keep it going at that rate.

Chump

 

[Richo!]

Looking forward to the week and the opportunity to take on SMS in the GF after a good win over the bears. Played some good footy in the first half, but a 1 man bench half way through the third on a warm day made things a bit tough to keep it going at that rate.

Chump

Going to be a huge day on Satuday with both St Marys and Kew expecting lots of support. In the reserves, I'm tipping Ivanhoe. Having dropped players from their seniors side, they are just so strong at the moment. Ivanhoe by 20 points

In the seniors I think Kew will get up. There is a reason they finished on top and I think they'll show that on Saturday. St Marys play a decent brand of footy but Kew have a far stronger backline and midfield which will mean back to back premierships for the Bears.

Walter to kick 5 in the ressies and get BOG.
Carn the Hoes!

 

[onceuponatime]

Going to be a huge day on Satuday with both St Marys and Kew expecting lots of support. In the reserves, I'm tipping Ivanhoe. Having dropped players from their seniors side, they are just so strong at the moment. Ivanhoe by 20 points

In the seniors I think Kew will get up. There is a reason they finished on top and I think they'll show that on Saturday. St Marys play a decent brand of footy but Kew have a far stronger backline and midfield which will mean back to back premierships for the Bears.

Walter to kick 5 in the ressies and get BOG.
Carn the Hoes!

A couple of interesting points from you recently Richo, 1. Allman out for the year? played on Saturday. 2. Kew having a far stronger backline than SMS? points against for the year, SMS had nearly 100 less than Kew. 3. Walter to kick 5 and get BOG on one leg? had the hammie pretty well strapped on the bench for the entire second half on sat? Now that would be some performance!

Anyway i was wrapped i got to watch both games on saturday! After watching Kew go about their business against Eltham it has me absolutely bewildered how SMS beat them the week before. They played some fantastic fast, hard football for most of the day, and with Brazalle on fire at the moment they will be my pick on grand final day. As well as SMS' backline has performed this year, He will be the difference in the game, if they get it to him enough they win! Kew by 3 goals.

The reserves grand final will be an absolute belter and probably one of the better reserves games you will see in D2. my tip is SMS by 2 goals, just that little bit more depth should get them over the line!

 

[VAFA Spectator]

I think the Reserves are almost impossible to pick with Ivanhoe able to top up their list with Seniors players. But a full list of available players at SMS with the week off means there are a dozen or so in the twos who played seniors this year.

Seniors, I think St Mary's by under 2 goals. They key will be holding Brazzale to 4 or fewer. St Mary's played the bigger ground at Casey better at their last meeting and will have fresher legs, expect them to run and carry while Kew kick long into the taller forward line. Look for an unlikely hero from SMS!

 

[Chump or Champ]

I think the Reserves are almost impossible to pick with Ivanhoe able to top up their list with Seniors players. But a full list of available players at SMS with the week off means there are a dozen or so in the twos who played seniors this year. /QUOTE]

Also the advantage for SMS (that they have played well enough to earn may i add) is that as both teams are playing on the weekend the qualification to play in the twos changes ie: they only have to have played 2 games in the twos to qualify. Ivanhoe on the other hand must select a team with guys that have played 4 games minimum and no more than 10 games in the ones. I would not mind if we could pick a side from a list that sees you only have to have played 2 games in that team throughout the year.

I would also imagine a few players from C-grade thirds will play in the SMS twos team this week even though they play a GF also, so lets not all feel too sorry for them!

Chump

 

[tape me up]

Chump i think SMS ressies coach would like to be able to pick 5 or 6 of the blokes playing 1s on saturday than have the best 22 not available for selection?!?!?!

 

[Chump or Champ]

Chump i think SMS ressies coach would like to be able to pick 5 or 6 of the blokes playing 1s on Saturday than have the best 22 not available for selection?!?!?!

Probably have 3 or 4 that have played 6 -7 games of ones throughout the year, none the less your point is taken tape me up. Just saying, it's not as clear cut as some commentary that has been made that suggests a 'loaded' team for the Ivanhoe twos.

Chump

 

[tape me up]

Probably have 3 or 4 that have played 6 -7 games of ones throughout the year, none the less your point is taken tape me up. Just saying, it's not as clear cut as some commentary that has been made that suggests a 'loaded' team for the Ivanhoe twos.

Chump

Ivanhoe are just finals specialists you reckon???

15 goal turn around from the previous time they played Kew....