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Finals get underway

04 Sep, 2008 02:14 PM
The business end of the season gets underway on Friday night at Bennett Oval when West take on North in the second semi final.

The winner will go straight into the grand final and loser will take on the winner of the first semi between South and Roopena.

If previous encounters are to go by this game promises to be a ripper.

North has been the big improvers this season and are on

an 11 game winning streak.

They will go into the game full of confidence with a chance of playing off for their first premiership since 1979.

West have been the number one side all year, their form earlier in the season was unstoppable and if the can rediscover that form they will be a tough team to topple.

Both sides have talent to burn and there will be some interesting duals around the ground which should make for A1 viewing.

The North forward line is probably on its day the most potent forward line going around.

Nick Prokopek has been the star so far, booting more than 70 goals and if he fires North will be hard to stop.

Aaron Smith will get the big job, and has been in fantastic form at full back for the Dragons.

He will need to be on top of his game if he is to quell the man monster.

Ali Thomas at centre half forward is a hard-working player who always makes a contest and on the bigger Bennet Oval he will be looking to get on top early and provide North with an avenue to goal.

Thomas will be well supported by Scott Daly , Aaron Ledington and Luke Seymour, who is in career best form and has been a handful for opposition defenders all year.

The West defence has been tremendous all year and have rarely had their colours lowered.

Kode Patterson , Nathan Danzic, Scott Maitland and co are close checking defenders but will be looking to run off their opponents every opportunity they get and turn defence into attack.

The midfields of both teams are top notch and who wins this battle will probably win the game.

The engine room of Russell Sawford, Anthony 'Sticks' Mansfield, Dylan Everitt, Blake and Leigh Symonds versus Chad Clothier, Chad Menzies, Brad Medlin, Josh Trezise and Seymour.

You couldn't ask for much better than that .

Another midfield battle, which could have major bearing on the outcome, is in the ruck where Ben English takes on the new comer in Matt Ledington.

Both are tall athletic ruckmen and the one who gives their team first use of the pill could just be enough to get their team over the line.

The Dragon forward line also oozes class and are capable of destroying the best of defences.

Brad Henderson has been the focal point up forward all year, he's big and strong and North Nathan Wohling will have to be at his best to curb the influence he has on the game.

Simon Nowak is another tall mobile forward who has had a good year and will be working in tandem with Henderson to provide the Dragons with a two prong attack which will take some stopping.

Then there's the small forwards Shannon Winders, Brad Smith, Kingsley Ware and Scott Norman, who are all capable of kicking bags and if they are anywhere near their best it could be a long night for the Magpie defence.

The North defence are no mugs though with Wohling, Corey Preiss, Wayne Dare, Aaron Grimm and Mark Strawbridge quite capable of closing down the best of forward lines.

This promises to be a rip snorter and could go either way but for me I think the Dragons will turn the tables on the Magpies and earn the weeks rest in a close fiery encounter by nine points.

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Crucial: North's Chad CLothier will play an important role in his team's match against West Whyalla on Friday night.
Crucial: North's Chad CLothier will play an important role in his team's match against West Whyalla on Friday night.

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