Finals

[ash]

With only four teams left, who do we all think will challenge ECE for the flag.

Penno have a tough encounter against Crows the winner may gain momentum. My sources though tell me a couple of injuries to key players on all sides. Can anyone shed some light?

ECE will have Wests measure this wee and go straight though.
It will be an interesting game though for the 2nd gf spot.

If its not Penno, Im tipping the Crows to go all the way.

[Henry]

In other words you have no sources and are just fishing for info.

Declan Donohue didn't play against Wollongong but said he'd be right for this week. Dugmore played against the Lions but came off early. Assume he'll be right also. Apparently he broke a few toes kicking something in the changerooms a few weeks ago and missed the previous game against East Coast. Damian Hall was stretchered off with an ankle injury, but then hobbled out of the ground at the end of the day. Extremely doubtful I'd say.

[the bull]

Re: Finals

Originally posted by ash
With only four teams left, who do we all think will challenge ECE for the flag.


If its not Penno, Im tipping the Crows to go all the way.

I agree ash, who ever wins bewteen Penno and the crows will make the GF.... But I don't see anyone beating ECE in the GF

[El Gato]

I'm not sure of Kev's overall record but reading between the lines from threads on this site, he has lost some grand finals

Is that classed as a failure of a coach?

[Norris Lurker]

Ash and The Bull's prediction of the winner of the Penno v St George semi going all the way to the grand final is a good tip based on form from recent seasons.
Since we started playing both semi-finals on the same weekend (a change for the better IMHO) in 2003, no team that has lost the major semi in week 1 has bounced back to win the prelim and get into the grand final. (Who will ever forget the hailstorm that washed away UNSW-ES's hopes in 2004).

But (assuming East Coast win on Saturday), Wests in the prelim final and East Coast in the grand final would probably be too big a challenge for either Penno or St George. I can't see either of those sides beating the Eagles for the flag this season.

[nugget]

The majority here are just assuming that East Coast are going to win, and fair enough they haven't really been challenged this year.

But if Wests are prepared to pressure them for 4 qtrs maybe East Coast will finally crack. I don't doubt that they are the best side in the competition but finals do funny things to even the best sides.

[Coastal Boy]

Let me get this right. There four teams fighting out the finals starting this week. ECE are considered chokers who have never made a GF let alone win one. Wests are led by the Kev who has the worst GF record imaginable. St George with their plethora of juniors have only won a single GF in about 30 years and failed at their last attempt. Penno have a similar record and although they were on top last year went out the back door. Between all 4 sides they have only won 3 or 4 GFs in a combined 100 years of football.

Well despite these damning statistics someone has to win the comp!!!!!

IMO, ECE have been red hot this year and deserve favouritism. They beat crows by 6 goals, wests by 3 goals and penno by 9 goals in their most recent encounters. This is impressive but isnt unsurmountable.

Wests before last weekend were in a purple patch and have beaten Crows by 5 goals and Penno 4 goals. Why Wests have no hope this week or in a prelim is news to me.

Penno are not travelling as well but beat Crows by 2 goals earlier this year. Crows have been patchy but can win if they all play well.

My conclusion, ECE vs Wests in the GF. Shocked if ECE back door. Not surprised on any other results.