Are we getting ahead of ourselves here lads! Riddell BY FAR the best team at the moment after a win against a side that perhaps, just perhaps has been overrated in Romsey. Lets gain a little perspective Matt and IMO-Woodend beat Riddell with all Riddell’s stars in and are still not at full strength with Disco Martin, Dale Cunik, Paul Podbury, Darko all not playing on the weekend and Ng and Sippy just starting the season (and should be fresh for the second half of the season) the hawks may be not THAT FAR behind. In regards to Sunbury they knocked off Woodend at Sunbury's ground in a great game and they too probably wouldn't be all THAT FAR behind. Granted Riddell has finals experience, but the way a team is coached, cattle on the park and lthe east amount of injuries come September has more of a bearing to a teams success come finals time than experience in my humble opinion. Sunbury to beat Riddell this week and close that enormous gap between top and the rest!
How many times have Woodend-Hesket been beaten at Gilbert Gordon in the last three seasons? About four times I reckon. Now I have a lot of respect for all of the top-five sides, I just think Riddell will win the flag. They have a range of goal kicking options, have good key position players and have a strong defence. Perhaps their midfield isn't as classy as the Roos' and Hawks' but they are tough at it and rarely let the opposition get an uncontested ball.
The one feature of finals that I like is that games are played on big grounds generally. The granny will be at Lancefield again this year, the prelim most likely at Macedon and the others at Kilmore, Riddell and Romsey.
Now I believe the Roos will benefit from the open spaces, but perhaps the Hawks will struggle. While I appreciate the wealth of class and talent and experience in Woodend-Hesket's side, I think they lack one key ingredient - a gun forward to kick to.
Jimmy Forrest kicked six on the weekend and could fill those boots, but I'm concerned about his consistency. Dowling and Salpy have been great in the pockets and up on the flank but they are not blokes that will take a lot of contested marks.
Not many defences in this comp can contain the likes of Allen, Besanko, Wadden, Harrison etc.
Now, I have been wrong before, many times in fact, but I will still put my balls on the line and make a call before the biggest and arguably the most crucial round of the season.
How bout you do the same and just tip the Hawks to beat whoever by 95 points in the granny!