William Buck Premier Semi-Final Preview

Nick Armistead – @NickArmistead

18 rounds have been played, the order of the top four has been confirmed and finals start now.

St Kevin’s, University Blues, Collegians and De La Salle will continue their quest for the 2017 William Buck Premier flag, meaning seven sides have earnt the right to participate in finals over the past two years. If the strength of William Buck Premier had ever been questioned, that fact alone should put any doubts to bed.

Six sides – St Kevin’s, Collegians, Uni Blues, De La Salle, Old Xaverians & Old Trinity – have sat inside the top four at various times throughout the year but only two have occupied the top two positions. Until now.

With two minutes remaining on the clock, Tim Geappen lined up from 30m on an acute angle and did his best Stevie J impersonation as he successfully snapped the set shot and clinched a sensational four-point victory for the Blues over De La. In doing so, James Walker’s men leapfrogged the Lions for second spot on the ladder and the all-important double chance heading into semi-final weekend.

Don’t for a second think the double chance is no longer important after Xavs’ incredible effort to plough through the field from third in 2016 on their way to a 14^th senior premiership in the VAFA’s top section. In the five years preceding this, all A-Grade premiers finished in the top two at the conclusion of the home and away season and four of the five had won the second semi-final. The Blues’ win over De La on Saturday was of the utmost importance but recent history suggests it pales in comparison to this weekend’s match-up against SKOB at Trevor Barker Oval.

Before previewing finals, the only other potential change to the ladder over the weekend would have occurred if University Blacks defeated SKOB. The Blacks were phenomenal in the first half and held a 16-point lead at the main break. As it turned out, that lead was not enough as the ladder leaders exploded in the third and won the game with six unanswered goals. The Blacks will return to Premier B for the first time since their 2012 premiership but the sheer talent and leadership at the club bodes as the ideal mix to lead them straight back up.

Although resigned to relegation prior to Round 18, Beaumaris completed their one-year return with a comprehensive 34-point win over St Bedes/Mentone Tigers in the return Bayside Derby. The Sharks were unable to secure their first win of the year until Round 14 whereby they continued their improved form and claimed three wins from their last five outings. Although not the season he would have envisaged, the last two months were a sneak peak of the type of football we can expect the Sharks to produce under Adam Schneider as they look to carry it over to Premier B and return in 2019.

Semi-Final Preview:

St Kevin’s vs University Blues – 2nd Semi-Final

Head-to-Head: 1-1

In their Round 1 victory over the Blues, SKOB proved too strong for a rusty Blues outfit and ran out 40-point winners at TH King Oval. One of the main reasons for SKOB’s improved performance in 2017 has been their elite defensive pressure on the ball carrier and it was showcased in its entirety during their Round 1 victory as they gave the Blues midfield little-to-no time when distributing by hand or foot. Since, however, the Blues have hit their straps and returned serve with a comprehensive 44-point win in Round 16. They held SKOB to just 15 scoring shots – their equal-lowest total this year – with Jeremy Taylor and Ross Young proving the match-winners.

Current Form: St Kevin’s (WWLWW) vs University Blues (DWWWW)

St Kevin’s has been the number one ranked team for most of the year, sitting on top of the ladder 13 out of a possible 18 rounds. In the second half of the season, SKOB has averaged 113.6ppg; including, scores of 189 (vs SBMT), 162 (vs Beaumaris), 133 (vs Trinity) and 131 (vs Collegians).

University Blues boast the highest success rate of all sides in the second half of the season, winning nine of their past 10 games. The sole outlier from their three-month tear was a tie against Collegians and, as stated, they proved too strong for SKOB in Round 16. While their offence has been the main source of improvement in 2017, the Blues have maintained a strong defensive presence and average just 64.9 points against throughout the back half of the season.

Players to Watch: Thomas Jok (SKOB) and Kieran Harper (Blues)

Jok has been a revelation for SKOB since making the move from Dandenong Stingrays’ TAC Cup side during the off-season, culminating in a standout performance for the Big V senior side during their record-breaking win over AFL Victoria Country in July. The Spirit of the Big V recipient has controlled the back half/wing all year and uses his elite athleticism to run rings around his direct opponents on the regular and launch offensive assaults into the SKOB forward half. Jok has proven he is made for the big stage so this weekend should be no different when he runs out against the Blues.

Harper hasn’t suited up for the Blues since he was handed a three-week suspension for tripping following a six-goal haul in their 31-point win over St Bedes/Mentone Tigers in Round 15. Harper returns this weekend and he’s primed to explode on the big stage and add to his 42 goals from 13 games. Having already kicked four goals or more on five occasions this year, expect the former Roo to put SKOB’s defensive prowess to the ultimate test.

Collegians vs De La Salle – 1st Semi-Final

Head-to-Head: 1-1

Collegians were the form side of the first six weeks before they met an unrelenting De La Salle at Waverley Oval in Round 7 and went down by 25 points for their first loss of the year. Brendan Close and Chris Robinson were named best for De La after playing important roles, but it was Jake Williams’ work through the midfield which set up the home side on the offensive front and brought about the end of the Lions’ undefeated run. Fast-forward to Round 16 and the Lions hit back at De La, coming from 24 points down at the main break to overrun them by eight in a thriller at the Trott. Courtney Hylton led the charge for the Lions in both instances this season while De La had little answer for Viv Michie around the contest.

Current Form: Collegians (DWWLL) vs De La Salle (WWLWL)

Collegians spent five weeks atop the ladder during the first half of the season and backed it up with five wins, a draw against the Blues and three losses in the last nine rounds. Losing the past two games is clearly not ideal preparation for the Lions, but doubters need just remember they have defeated SKOB, Blues and De La once each this season and averaged 84ppg – the third-highest in the competition.

11 wins has De La a game and half clear in fourth with recent victories against Old Melburnians and an improved Old Trinity highlights. They’ve played both the Lions and Blues in the past three matches and went down by just eight and four points, respectively. Jake Williams returned from his European summer in blistering fashion four weeks ago, while Tom Humphrey continues to command the back 50 like few others.

Players to Watch: Nick Dixon (Collegians) and Adrian Indovino (De La Salle)

After playing one game for Collegians last year in amongst a stint with Port Melbourne, this former Geelong Falcon has been as influential as any Lion during his 15 games this year and possesses foot skills like few others. When the pressure is on during the fourth term of a tight elimination final, the Lions could do worse than to get the ball into the hands of Dixon across half back and allow him to drive inside 50.

While Sam and Jake Williams command the midfield, Tom Humphrey and Jason Tutt lead from defence and Antony Forato goes head-to-head with Tom Penberthy, Adrian Indovino is the enigma up forward capable of tearing a game apart in the space of a quarter. Throughout his 17 games this year, Indo has gone goalless just twice and has kicked multiples on 10 occasions. Quick, skilful and unbelievably elusive, watch for Indo to fire when the game is in the balance.