Can Kew chase down PEGS this weekend?

Josh Heriot

The ladder has been set in stone with finals to look forward to over the next three weeks in Division One. PEGS have finished off their magnificent season with a win to the tune of 70 points over Oakleigh. With the minor premiership all but locked away coming into the final round, PEGS were well placed to register another win making it 16 wins for the year. Riley Simmons has hit some great form at the right time of the year as he kicked six goals along with 10 other individual goal kickers for PEGS on the weekend. 

In what was the upset of the round, Therry Penola claimed a big last round win against Glen Eira to finish off their year on a high. Both teams were goalless at quarter time with the afternoon playing in favour of an even contest. A 10-point lead at three quarter time to Glen Eira simply wasn’t enough with Therry Penola just hanging on to win by three points. Therry Penola’s Kane O’Halloran was their presence up forward as he booted three goals and was one of the best on the ground. He was also assisted by Matt Lyons who impressed and ultimately led them to victory. 

Meanwhile Kew and Old Camberwell Grammarians faced each other in round 18 only to be confronted by a draw. With the scores locked together at 48 points apiece, neither side walked away with a full four points but nonetheless they will each play off in September with a chance a claiming the division one premiership. Although they won’t face each other in the first week of the finals, we could see these two sides up against each other again in 2022 with pending results this weekend and it’s sure to be another close one if that is the case. 

Prahran Assumption travelled out to Whitefriars College for their final game of the season to take on the battling Whitefriars. An inaccurate Whitefriars weren’t able to withstand the pressure of Prahran Assumption after they kicked four first quarter goals in what was a quick start. Unfortunately for Whitefriars they will have to head down to Division 2 in 2023 after winning only three games for the season. Along with St Mary’s Salesian they will be relegated but it will also give both sides a chance to regroup and find some continuity. For Prahran Assumption, they finish their year with a with a win but still on a disappointing note after finishing fifth and missing out on finals. Despite this, they’ve had some strong individual performances with Matt Clifford kicking 57 goals this year. 

The final game of the home and away season for division one saw St Mary’s host Old Peninsula at Ferndale Park. Old Peninsula managed to kick 20 goals for the game with veteran club legend Shaun Payze adding four goals to his name while fellow teammate Nelson Forrest kicked five goals. Old Peninsula have managed to escape the relegation zone with four wins for the year as they finished on a positive knowing they’ll return to division one next season. 

So, what do finals look like? 

Like all final’s series, the first week will be an intriguing contest. Minor premiers PEGS will head to Piranha Park and meet Kew in the first final with the loser guaranteed a second life in the preliminary final the following weekend. Kew and PEGS have been the best two sides all year clearly, but finals deliver different complexities. Recent form line would suggest that PEGS will win this game. After playing each other twice throughout the year in rounds three and thirteen it was PEGS who came out on top with both wins by more than 30-points and the last five rounds has seen them peak with impressive form.

The second final of the weekend at Trevor Barker Oval may have the potential to be slightly closer. Glen Eira have been an exciting side all year, but Old Camberwell have stuck with them and have put together some strong performances. Playing off against each other twice, it was Glen Eira who won their first encounter by 39 points however, Old Camberwell claimed a win in the most recent battle in round 14 by 10 points. The winner will progress onto week two of the finals while it will be season over for the loser. It’s a tough game to split and I’m predicting a game that will head right down to the final minutes.