Round 2 Finals Preview

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Mr EUS
wrote on 24-Aug-15 08:05

Round 1 of finals football is behind us. Blowouts were the order of the day in 3 of the 4 matches. We waved goodbye to St Andrew's at the hands of a rampant Pumas reserve grade outfit. We also got confirmation of a changing of the guard in first grade with plucky finals first-timers the Hawks stealing yet more light from the ever-fading star of a Kenthurst legacy. There are now six teams left in the hunt for the two remaining pieces of silverware. The Tigers (1st XI) and Bushboys (2nd XI) get a richly deserved week's break to rest tired limbs and await their grand final opponents. While the remaining four sides back up on Wednesday in a gruelling condensed finals series. Let's assess Wednesday night's games... Reserve Grade HWK vs PHD Momentum is a hard beast to turn back in competitive sports. The Hawks had their wings clipped mercilessly by the clinical Bushboys on Saturday to the tune of 4-1, and the beast charging at their vulnerable bodies midweek is a 7-goal hungry Pumas side who have not tasted defeat in 11 games now! Fresh in the Hawks memory too is a recent 5-1 humiliation at the hands these same Pumas. The Hawks have divided attention with eyes still on both prizes. This will stretch their squad to the limit come Wednesday night. The Pumas, meanwhile, are focused solely on this trophy and spurred on by the prospect of another title bout against their old sparring partner of recent seasons. Will it be the (Danny) Green shirts of the Pumas returning to Christie Park on grand final day for another shot at the Anthony Mundine-like red trunks of the Bushboys? Or will the Hawks boys take inspiration from their first grade side, confound the punters and tame the momentum of the Pumas beast on a slippery ELS Hall? Mr EUS predicts: PHD 3-1 First Grade STA vs HWK Whatever happens on Wednesday night, season 2015 has been a year for the Hawks to crow about with their first up finals win against Kenthurst a momentous one for a young club on the rise. And while on the topic of crows, word on the street is their opponents from Eastwood will be without inspirational stopper Crowey after he saw red on Saturday. The fact the Woodies were resoundingly knocked out of contention in reserve grade may prove a blessing in disguise, however, as they can now pool their efforts towards earning another shot at crosstown rivals the Tigers in the one that counts. The Hawks, meanwhile, are riding the crest of a wave and would want nothing more than to have both teams running around again on Saturday at Christie Park. Games between these two have been split this year, the Hawks winning 2-0 at home before the Woodies squared the ledger with a typically gritty 1-0 win on their home patch. Will Pearso wind back the clock with a vintage performance on skates under lights? Or will the younger legs of the Hawks get them over the line making it the unlikely combo of 1st vs 4th in both grand finals? You’d have to think so if she goes beyond 90 minutes! Mr EUS predicts: HWK 1-0 aet Good luck on Wednesday night, gents. Everything to play for!

THE ROCK
wrote on 24-Aug-15 13:01

Great write up. Congratz to EEW and KEN for making the GF. Best of luck to all for Wed IF this rain relaxes!

BDR
wrote on 24-Aug-15 15:07

What happens if the rain doesn't relax rock

hillbillie
wrote on 24-Aug-15 17:01

Artificial Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Semis will get rescheduled to artificial like where..?

Artificial
wrote on 24-Aug-15 17:02

Semis will get rescheduled to artificial

Rozella
wrote on 24-Aug-15 17:06

Football NSW at Parklea ???? but who pays for the hire. I highly doubt that would happen. Plenty of rain for tonight and into tomorrow. Wednesday is suppose to be ok but i think the damage would of been done by then.

Rozella
wrote on 24-Aug-15 17:07

Els Might be ok, No one has played their for weeks, whose home ground is it anyway. But christie will be a cow paddock, 6 games on sunday in the rain and then Wednesday nights semis come Saturday it will be POO.

ELS
wrote on 24-Aug-15 17:09

Hasn't rained in weeks so the ground should soak up the rain. All clear for Wednesday games.

Old Timer
wrote on 24-Aug-15 18:01

Weather forecast has changed again for Wednesday - 4 to 15mm rain. With Christie Park and ELS Hall closed now, can't see them being open for Wednesday night. Most of the other grounds with proper lights have cricket squares in the middle so not many options of grounds to use. Was down at Christie Park in the middle of Sunday and the ground wasn't looking great then with another 4 games to go! Another 3 days of rain and it would be really slippery and would be chewed up if played on. I believe the GF can be moved back a week if needed, it's just a last resort option and not ideal. Nice work Mr Eus.

Rozella
wrote on 24-Aug-15 19:05

From what I understand games on Wednesday will be called off and all four will be played on Saturday at Christie the GF will be played the following week.

Game on
wrote on 25-Aug-15 18:02

All grounds are open currently... unless there is a downpour then GAME ON!

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