by Rik E Boy » Thu Aug 21, 2014 1:08 pm
Preliminary Finals Preview
Has Been vs. Darksiders SCE
Redline
Beeners: Ffye, Barlow, Beams, Johnson
Darkside: Ffye, Beams, JPK
Uniques
Beeners: Hanley, B Smith, Barlow, Johnson, Goddard, Wingard, Nick Nat, Stef, Buddy, Dollhouse
Darkside: Simpson, Hurn, Sloane, Cotch, JPK, Sauce, Gray, Higgins, Pav, Hartung
The Word
Not all of the above are confirmed redlines. Steve Johnson not a confirmed out as yet and I'm not sure on Barlow but both are understood to be unlikely to play. I have heard a whisper though that JPK may yet suit up for the Swannies. Pendlebury copped a footy on an old Corky that caused his muscle to spasm so I'm expecting Pendles to play.
At this stage Darksiders looks to have more weapons. Darksider uniques Sauce, Gray, Sloane and Cotch are all in pretty good form. On the other hand the Has Been uniques aren't as strong. Hanley and Smith have gone off the boil and apart from Buddy, Goddard and especially Stefan Martin you couldn't really count on the rest. Looking at the above I reckon that Darksiders will advance to yet another Grand Final, especially if JPK plays.
Cork in the Ocean vs. Buddy Franklin
Redline
Corky: Beams, Johnson, Harvey
Buddy: Ffye, Beams, Ward, Johnson, Harvey
Uniques
Corky: Simpson, Burgers, Mitchell, Rockliff, Goddard, Sloane, Pendles, Sauce, Parker, Gray, Dusty, Shenton.
Buddy: Hanley, Malceski, Birchall, Ward, Cotch, Fyfe, Miles, Swan, Nick Nat, Buddy, Tex, Pav, Cameron.
The Word
Budd is in more trouble than a one legged man in an arse kicking contest. Not only does he have all of Corky's sidelined troops he has come up with a couple of extra of his own. I'm not sure if Ward will miss this week or not but after their big win over Melbourne last week there isn't really a need for GWS to risk their best player now that the spoon has been avoided so any doubt would lead him to miss.
Cotch and Malceski will do well for Buddy but Corky can counter with Rockliff, Sloane, a rested Pendlebury, Sauce, Parker and Gray. You just can't see Buddy getting throug this one and I predict a comfortable victory to Cork in the Ocean.
regards,
REB