CENTRAL MURRAY
ELIMINATION FINAL
MALLEE EAGLES
Coaches: Alicia Harvey and Jess Jobling
KEY PLAYER
Megan Thorneycroft
PLAYED most of the season as goal shooter, before a knee injury to Kasey Torr in round 13 forced a reshuffle of the Eagles attack, with Thorneycroft playing predominately at goal attack.
Versatile goaler who is extremely accurate and knows exactly where to best position herself in the ring.
Scored 24 goals playing a mix of GA and GS in round 9 against Tyntynder, with Nichola Miliano and Bridgette King sharing the job of quelling her influence that afternoon.
Has scored 371 goals this season at an average of almost 25 per game and will need to be at her best if the Eagles are to post a winning score.
BURNING QUESTION
Does the Mallee Eagles’ lack of height become an advantage or hinderance in finals?
THE Mallee Eagles’ smaller team has almost become a strength of theirs this season, allowing them to transition the ball from their defensive half of the court with speed.
It’s a game plan that a lot of teams have struggled to combat at times, with the Eagles looking dangerous even against the best.
But it can also lead to them being exposed in defence, especially against teams with taller goalers that can utilise the high ball.
That should be less of a problem against the Bulldogs, who also like to move the ball quickly through the midcourt and feed it into the ring to Kelsey Rowe and Bridget Dedini with speed.
TYNTYNDER
Coach: Kelsey Rowe
KEY PLAYER
Monica Ellis
THERE’S no doubt about Ellis’ importance to the Bulldogs line-up, with the attacking midcourter a very underrated player by those outside the kennel.
Missed the Bulldogs’ only game against the Mallee Eagles in round 9, when the blue and gold’s midcourters using their speed and agility to their advantage in her absence.
Experienced player who is a leader across the court for the Bulldogs’ younger players while being versatile enough to play any position.
Has played goal defence the past two weeks but has spent most of the season in Tyntynder’s midcourt.
BURNING QUESTION
Will Tyntynder’s ability to utilise the rolling substitutes play to their advantage?
THERE’S no doubt the Bulldogs are one team who are happy to make use of the rolling substitute rule from week to week.
The Bulldogs used 10 players all up during last Saturday’s nine-goal win over Woorinen, and the heat is set to start playing a factor as the season progresses.
It helps that Tyntynder also have a very versatile team featuring several players able to play multiple positions, as well as depth on the bench such as Jaclyn Rivett and Issy Corrie who can have an immediate impact when required.
The Bulldogs’ capacity to throw their team around until a combination works can also be a positive, but it’s more a question of whether they have the high-end talent to match it with the Eagles.
KEY MATCH-UP
Nevaeh Roberts v Kelsey Rowe
BOTH Roberts and Rowe are hugely important to their respective teams’ structure and ability to transition the ball down the court, and the winner of this battle is likely to go some way towards winning the war.
Rowe dominated when the two clubs last clashed, scoring 20 of the Bulldogs’ 31 goals in the absence of Bridget Dedini.
As good as Tyntynder’s coach was, Roberts was equally impressive, with her ability to hunt, intercept and create turnovers in the Eagles’ defensive third helping give her team a 10-goal win.
Rowe is a barometer for her team and when she lifts, so do Tyntynder, making this match-up one that every neutral observer will be watching intently.
