To kick it off - here are a couple of articles from The Western Bulldogs and Port Melbourne sites.
Form lines:
Footscray emerged victors in a hard fought clash against the Bombers in last week’s elimination final on the back of a nine goal to two run from early in third quarter to midway through the fourth.
The Dogs would hold on to win despite the Bombers kicking three of the last four.
Port Melbourne finished third on the VFL ladder with 12 wins and five losses but lost narrowly to second placed Box Hill in last week’s second qualifying final.
The Borough won their last four games of the home and away season.
Last time they played:
Port Melbourne kicked the last five goals of the game to run away 31 point winners in Round 5 at Fortburn Oval after Footscray led at all the major breaks.
Andrew Tashevski-Beckwith (26 disposals, four tackles) and Jordan Russell (26 disposals and 10 marks) were among the Bulldogs’ best, while Andrew Panayi, Jamieson Shea and Mitch Honeychurch kicked two goals each.
Dylan Conway (Four goals), Jordan Lisle (three goals) and Khan Haretuku (three goals) did the damage for the home team on the scoreboard while Eli Templton (33 disposals) and Robbie Nahas were busy around the ground.
What they said this week:
Steve Grace
“We put a little bit of work into them last week on the Wednesday night but we’ll ease off of them this week, try and freshen them up as much as we can.”
“We’ll be so much better for that run as a unit. You saw how much better we got throughout the day, some cohesion and a little bit of chemistry with the front half connection, and as the game went on we were so much better with that.
“With another block of training as a unit, we should pop again, we can’t wait for this weekend.”
Jordan Russell
“It’s tough, they’re a really good side and we’re never sure who will be playing on the day as opposed to an aligned side where there’s a heap of changes, there’s a core group of blokes who are going to be running out for them.
“It is their home ground and they’re going to have their crowd in to cheer them on, but at the end of the day there’s 18 blokes on the ground and five on the bench, so it should be a really good contest.”
What’s next:
The winner of Sunday’s clash will go to face Williamstown next Sunday, 17 September at 2:40 pm for a spot in the grand final, while the season will end for the loser.
http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/2017-09-07/vfl-semi-final-a-guide
Match Preview – Semi Final vs. Footscray
September 7, 2017NewsArticle by Sam Wharton, Finals, Footscray Bulldogs, Recent History, WilliamstownPort Melbourne FC
There are no more second chances for both Port Melbourne sides on Sunday at Fortburn Stadium.
The Seniors went down to Box Hill last weekend, and now find themselves in a cut-throat Semi Final against the reigning Premiers, Footscray.
They will be hoping for a repeat of the 31-point victory way back in Round 5, which marked the only occasion that the two sides met this season; as well as the first time since the Bulldogs’ standalone inception to the VFL that the Borough have actually prevailed.
In more recent times, the Borough disappointingly had a four-game winning streak snapped against the Hawks in last Sunday’s Qualifying Final, as they went down by 13 points.
The game itself was a tale of Port being jumped early, before grinding their way back into the game on multiple occasions to eventually draw level in time-on of the last – and then concede two late goals.
Despite the immediate heartbreak of the loss, a top 4/double chance spot had been earned and attention quickly turned to who the Borough’s opponent would be in week 2 of the Finals.
That opponent would be Footscray, who defeated Essendon by just 5 points in a thrilling contest at Fortburn Stadium.
The Dogs had put together some mixed form in the second half of the year, but were bolstered by the inclusion of AFL Premiership stars Clay Smith, Matthew Boyd and Tom Boyd in last week’s victory.
That trio can be expected to provide some stern individual opposition for the Borough on Sunday, though their depth was what made the club so successful last year – and most of it is still there.
Bill Gowers, Fletcher Roberts, Lukas Webb, Nick Jamieson and William Hayes have all featured prominently among the VFL side’s better players consistently this year, and will no doubt be subject to attention from Gary Ayres and his fellow coaches in the lead-up to Sunday’s blockbuster.
https://www.portmelbournefc.com.au/blog/
Match Information
First Semi Final
Port Melbourne v Footscray Bulldogs
2:40pm, Sunday, 10 September 2017
Fortburn Stadium (North Port Oval, Port Melbourne)
VFL ‘Love The Game’ Finals Series
AFL Victoria have announced the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation as the naming rights partner for the 2017 VFL ‘Love The Game Finals’ Series.
The Foundation’s ‘Love the Game’ campaign encourages football fans, officials and players to think about why they love the game and to appreciate the skills and performances of teams that play in the competition without engaging in gambling.
Finals will begin on Saturday, September 2, and will conclude in a triple-header of state-league Grand Finals at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, September 24, with the Swisse Wellness VFL Women’s VFL and TAC Cup deciders all featuring.
Ticketing Information
For the first time, pre-sale tickets will be available for all lead-up finals matches, to help fans avoid any possible queues on game-day. All lead-up finals will be at 2016 prices, with adults $15, concession/pensioners $10 and kids under 15 free and will be on-sale 10am each Monday at vfl.com.au/presale.
Tickets can also be bought on the gate on game day, with availability subject to venue capacity.
Broadcast Information
Sunday’s semi final between Port Melbourne and Footscray will be aired live on Channel Seven Melbourne, from 2:30pm. Check local guides for coverage information.
Form lines:
Footscray emerged victors in a hard fought clash against the Bombers in last week’s elimination final on the back of a nine goal to two run from early in third quarter to midway through the fourth.
The Dogs would hold on to win despite the Bombers kicking three of the last four.
Port Melbourne finished third on the VFL ladder with 12 wins and five losses but lost narrowly to second placed Box Hill in last week’s second qualifying final.
The Borough won their last four games of the home and away season.
Last time they played:
Port Melbourne kicked the last five goals of the game to run away 31 point winners in Round 5 at Fortburn Oval after Footscray led at all the major breaks.
Andrew Tashevski-Beckwith (26 disposals, four tackles) and Jordan Russell (26 disposals and 10 marks) were among the Bulldogs’ best, while Andrew Panayi, Jamieson Shea and Mitch Honeychurch kicked two goals each.
Dylan Conway (Four goals), Jordan Lisle (three goals) and Khan Haretuku (three goals) did the damage for the home team on the scoreboard while Eli Templton (33 disposals) and Robbie Nahas were busy around the ground.
What they said this week:
Steve Grace
“We put a little bit of work into them last week on the Wednesday night but we’ll ease off of them this week, try and freshen them up as much as we can.”
“We’ll be so much better for that run as a unit. You saw how much better we got throughout the day, some cohesion and a little bit of chemistry with the front half connection, and as the game went on we were so much better with that.
“With another block of training as a unit, we should pop again, we can’t wait for this weekend.”
Jordan Russell
“It’s tough, they’re a really good side and we’re never sure who will be playing on the day as opposed to an aligned side where there’s a heap of changes, there’s a core group of blokes who are going to be running out for them.
“It is their home ground and they’re going to have their crowd in to cheer them on, but at the end of the day there’s 18 blokes on the ground and five on the bench, so it should be a really good contest.”
What’s next:
The winner of Sunday’s clash will go to face Williamstown next Sunday, 17 September at 2:40 pm for a spot in the grand final, while the season will end for the loser.
http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/2017-09-07/vfl-semi-final-a-guide
Match Preview – Semi Final vs. Footscray
September 7, 2017NewsArticle by Sam Wharton, Finals, Footscray Bulldogs, Recent History, WilliamstownPort Melbourne FC
There are no more second chances for both Port Melbourne sides on Sunday at Fortburn Stadium.
The Seniors went down to Box Hill last weekend, and now find themselves in a cut-throat Semi Final against the reigning Premiers, Footscray.
They will be hoping for a repeat of the 31-point victory way back in Round 5, which marked the only occasion that the two sides met this season; as well as the first time since the Bulldogs’ standalone inception to the VFL that the Borough have actually prevailed.
In more recent times, the Borough disappointingly had a four-game winning streak snapped against the Hawks in last Sunday’s Qualifying Final, as they went down by 13 points.
The game itself was a tale of Port being jumped early, before grinding their way back into the game on multiple occasions to eventually draw level in time-on of the last – and then concede two late goals.
Despite the immediate heartbreak of the loss, a top 4/double chance spot had been earned and attention quickly turned to who the Borough’s opponent would be in week 2 of the Finals.
That opponent would be Footscray, who defeated Essendon by just 5 points in a thrilling contest at Fortburn Stadium.
The Dogs had put together some mixed form in the second half of the year, but were bolstered by the inclusion of AFL Premiership stars Clay Smith, Matthew Boyd and Tom Boyd in last week’s victory.
That trio can be expected to provide some stern individual opposition for the Borough on Sunday, though their depth was what made the club so successful last year – and most of it is still there.
Bill Gowers, Fletcher Roberts, Lukas Webb, Nick Jamieson and William Hayes have all featured prominently among the VFL side’s better players consistently this year, and will no doubt be subject to attention from Gary Ayres and his fellow coaches in the lead-up to Sunday’s blockbuster.
https://www.portmelbournefc.com.au/blog/
Match Information
First Semi Final
Port Melbourne v Footscray Bulldogs
2:40pm, Sunday, 10 September 2017
Fortburn Stadium (North Port Oval, Port Melbourne)
VFL ‘Love The Game’ Finals Series
AFL Victoria have announced the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation as the naming rights partner for the 2017 VFL ‘Love The Game Finals’ Series.
The Foundation’s ‘Love the Game’ campaign encourages football fans, officials and players to think about why they love the game and to appreciate the skills and performances of teams that play in the competition without engaging in gambling.
Finals will begin on Saturday, September 2, and will conclude in a triple-header of state-league Grand Finals at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, September 24, with the Swisse Wellness VFL Women’s VFL and TAC Cup deciders all featuring.
Ticketing Information
For the first time, pre-sale tickets will be available for all lead-up finals matches, to help fans avoid any possible queues on game-day. All lead-up finals will be at 2016 prices, with adults $15, concession/pensioners $10 and kids under 15 free and will be on-sale 10am each Monday at vfl.com.au/presale.
Tickets can also be bought on the gate on game day, with availability subject to venue capacity.
Broadcast Information
Sunday’s semi final between Port Melbourne and Footscray will be aired live on Channel Seven Melbourne, from 2:30pm. Check local guides for coverage information.
