VETERAN’S NORTH GRAND FINAL PREVIEW

HEALESVILLE VS GEMBROOK COCKATOO

SUNDAY 14^TH AUGUST

KALORA PARK

3.10 PM

Head-to-Head

• Healesville 2 – 0

Ladder Positions

Healesville 1^st– 7 wins 1 loss

Gembrook Cockatoo 3^rd– 4 wins 3 losses 1 Draw

Previous Meetings

• Healesville 13.10 def Gembrook Cockatoo 0.5
• Gembrook Cockatoo 9.9 lost to Healesville 4.9

Finals Results

• Healesville 12.12 def Mt Evelyn 0.5
• Narre Warren 2.8 lost Gembrook Cockatoo 6.5

GRAND FINAL PREVIEW

Healesville have been the best side in the Veterans competition all year and boast a raft of former Senior stars across their side. The bloods will be sweating on the fitness of star Forward Simon Gordan, who injured his Hamstring in their big Semi Final Win against Mt Evelyn. Their first win against Gembrook put the competition on notice, with the infusion of a number of new players this year transitioning from Senior Football giving an already strong squad an injection of speed to compliment ball winners across the ground.

Gembrook Cockatoo, as they did last season have found their best form as the year has gone on, with a big upset against Narre Warren in the Semi Final. Craig Clarke looms large as a key player for the Brookers, whilst Jarrod Goldsack and Tristan Whitecross will need to fire if the Brookers are to cause an upset. The ruck battle between Clarke and Ben Strong will go a long way to deciding the game, whilst Casey Adams and Nick Whitemore are players to watch for the Bloods. Captain Andrew “Pee Wee” Peters up forward can be expected to bring excitement up forward for Ryan De Munks men.

Last year, the Brookers caused a huge upset against Healesville in the finals and will be hoping for a repeat performance this year. The second meeting between both clubs was a much tighter affair and Gembrook, who are even across the ground and pride themselves on competing for every contest, will hope that they can spring another big upset when it matters most.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Healesville Coach Ryan de Munk

“The Healesville Vets go into the GF after a solid H&A season, but are clear the might of Gembrook is a huge hurdle to cross in a grand final.  We have had a successful season focused on fun and family.  The Bloods head into the game full strength with no injuries and are well prepared for the day.”

Gembrook Cockatoo Coach Dean Allcott

“Healesville has been the best team in the competition for the last 4 or 5 years , and deserve to be the outright favourites, well coached and have  guns on every line. We had covid go through our team 4 players come out tomorrow and another 5 come out Friday, No excuses we will have a crack and hopefully the result falls our way.”