DIVISION 2 UNDER 18 GRAND FINAL PREVIEW

KINGLAKE VS WARBURTON MILLGROVE

SUNDAY 7^TH AUGUST

YARRA JUNCTION

10.20 AM

STREAMED LIVE ON OUTER EAST FN SOCIALS FROM 10AM

Head-to-Head

• Kinglake 3 Warburton Millgrove 1

Ladder Positions

Kinglake 1st- 9 wins 2 Losses 1 Draw

Warburton Millgrove 2^nd – 9 Wins 3 Losses

Previous Meetings

• Round 4 Warburton Millgrove 11.6 Defeated by Kinglake 16.6
• Round 9 Kinglake 13.6 Defeated by Warburton Millgrove 18.11
• Round 11 Kinglake 12.14 Defeated Warburton Millgrove 4.7
• Round 15 Warburton 5.7 Defeated by Kinglake 9.6

Semi Final Results

• Kinglake 17.7 defeated Alexandra 2.3.15
• Warburton Millgrove 12.9 Defeated Seville 1.3

GRAND FINAL PREVIEW

The two best sides in the Box Hill Institute Under 18 Division 2 Grand Final face off at Yarra Junction reserve in what promises to be a cracking contest.

Kinglake have had the better of the match ups this season, leading the head-to-head 3-1, however will face a Warburton Millgrove side in the Grand Final featuring a raft of players returning from Senior Football. Both sides have had outstanding seasons and will enter the game knowing they are facing quality opposition, but their best is capable of bring home an elusive premiership for both clubs.

Kinglake progressed to the decider on the back of a convincing win against Alexandra by 104 points. Jed Tyrell, who has been a key contributor for Kinglake Seniors this year, led the way with 4 goals. Jackson Armstrong, was again a focal point with 4 majors, bringing his season tally to 35 for the season.

The Lakers have a number of players who have tasted senior football this year, for a Kinglake Senior side that is right in the frame for the Division 2 Senior premiership. Aidan and Thomas McErlain, Jed Tyrell, Seth Jackson, Lucas Zipsin and Harry Caine have featured heavily in senior football and will be crucial to the Lakers premiership chances on Sunday. Callum McAllister is a player to watch on Sunday for the Lakers. His run and carry through the midfield vital to their high octane offense.

Warburton Millgrove overcame a spirited Seville to advance to this week side. The Westlake brothers, Liam and Aiden were fantastic at both ends of the ground, whilst Tarkyn Nicolandos and Patrick Huynh led the way with 3 goals. As is the case with their opponents, a number of Warby players have played key roles in their club’s quest first quest for a senior finals berth in a decade. Bailey Humphries, Patrick Huynh, and Aiden Westlake have thrived at senior level and provide a different challenge for Kinglake than faced during the regular season.

Both sides play an exciting, attacking brand of football and meet each other at the peak of their powers. The battle in the midfield and across both half forward lines is where the game will be won and lost. The arial battle, where both teams dominated their semi final will be particularly intriguing.

Win or lose, the future is bright for both clubs, highlighted by the number of senior players represented across both teams. Expect a high scoring, high tempo contest at Junction on the weekend. It promises to be a beauty.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Kinglake Coach- Matthew McAllister

 “I am very proud of my boys and making it to the grand final, it’s a very exciting time for us all at Kinglake as our U18’s have never made it to the grand final so we have already made history. Warburton have bee an exceptional team to play all season and have been a high class opposition, and we expect this grand final to be nothing less but a close and very competitive game. Good luck to both teams but of course Go Lakers!”

 

Warburton Millgrove Coach- David Swankie

“With the amount of talent on both sides in the U18’s this weeks Grand final will be a great game to watch. These particular age groups have been showcasing some serious talent with both clubs having multiple players who have played at a senior level this year and are coming back to U18’s to play for us. If both teams show up it will be a great game. Go Warburton!”