Beth Newman goes over some of the talking points from semi-final weekend.
1. Pumas prove their mettle.
Springwood faced their first top six opponent in two months on Saturday, and needed a win to reinforce their premiership favouritism. The Pumas delivered, with a resounding showing at Lowe Oval, against the Magpies. Any scepticism about their easier back end of the season was wiped away with their textbook finals display at home. They will be incredibly tough to beat, and extra fresh with another week off, in the major decider.
2. Experience pays dividends
Palm Beach seemed a new-look side against Surfers yesterday, and that’s probably because they were. Five inclusions turned into four by Sunday, but those that returned made much of the difference in the match. Clint Kelly finished with four, while matt Carroll absolutely tore it up. The availability of Shane Hutchinson in upcoming weeks gives the Lions another ace up their sleeve too.
3. Injury blows for premiership contenders.
There were concerning signs for both all three teams left in the Allied Pickfords Cup, as key players went down. The biggest blow went to the Magpies, with Jimmy Rozynski under an injury cloud. Rozynski doesn’t fold easily, so it was clear when he sat out much of the second half that things were serious, and the gun looks to have suffered broken ribs. Their preliminary final opponents, Palm Beach, have some concerns of their own, with captain Angus Munro corking his thigh yesterday. All reports are that he could have gone back on the ground if needed and he should be fit for Saturday’s grand final qualifier. Springwood will be hoping that Andrew Sponneck pulls up alright too, with the defender rolling his ankle in the third term on Saturday. The week off should definitely help the Puma get up for the GF.
4. Aah McEvoy, you’ve done it again
The magpies have no shortage of midfield and forward guns, with names like Rozysnki, Corrie, Pope and Moore all sensational. However, one player who has stepped up the most for the Sherwood side this year, and did again on the weekend, is Tim McEvoy. He has been regularly among the side’s best this season, and will need to keep that form up, especially if Rozynski doesn’t get up this week.
5. Will the Demons veterans go around again?
Jake Ryan and Simon Fenton are aging warriors, but they have been among the best this season. Ryan has struggled with back issues this season, after winning the Duncanson Todd Medal in 2012, but still managed to be the difference in the side’s elimination final against Grange. There’s not many in the competition who have had the careers of these two, and they would be sorely missed by their teammates and spectators alike.
6. Move over SBC, the mullet is back.
Palm Beach’s Sam Bourke has led the charge, with a very healthy looking mullet through the year. And you can see from the Facebook albums that it clearly loves the camera. But, Surfers’ Harrison Fraser had his own, fresh version of the 80s throwback style, with a super short front cut and a fledgling party at the back. Step aside comb overs and prepare for the short front and sides.
