NORTHERN KNIGHTS (6th, 8-7) vs. WESTERN JETS (7th, 8-7)
Saturday, August 31, 11:00am
MARS Stadium, Ballarat

Match Preview:

The first game of a double header at Ikon Park sees a knockout elimination final between Northern Knights and Western Jets. For the winner, a clash with either Gippsland Power or Oakleigh Chargers awaits, while for the loser, it is curtains on season 2019. The sides split their season head-to-head with Western coming from behind to down the Knights in Round 1 at Ikon Park, before Northern had no such troubles overcoming the Jets at Preston City Oval a few weeks back. Both teams came off similar games in the Wildcard Round, engaging in an arm-wrestle for two and half quarters before blowing the opposition side away with Northern slamming home nine of the last 10 goals against Bendigo at Preston, while Western piled on nine consecutive majors from the midway point of the third term against the Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels. Both teams have shown good form at times throughout the year but have struggled with consistency, and the game is likely to be won in the midfield. Western have two strong forward targets in competition leading goalkicker Archi Manton and Aaron Clarke, while up the other end Northern Knights have Liam McMahon and Nikolas Cox who provide aerial presence and ability to hit the scoreboard. Sam Philp and Adam Carafa will make life hard for the opposition, with Daly Andrews and Josh Honey more than capable of winning their fair share of the ball at stoppages. The game will likely be a battle of Northern’s midfield getting on top, and the reliable defence of Western catapulting out of the back 50 and trying to set up attacking plays. The success of the latter will determine if they can put a large enough score on the board to overcome the Knights.

Prediction: Northern Knights by 16 points.

Key match-ups:

Josh D’Intinosante vs. Lucas Rocci

The Northern small forward might not have had a huge impact on the scoreboard last weekend, but he is capable of winning games off his own boot, snagging six goals against Murray Bushrangers, and four majors against the Jets in the last clash. It means the recently crowned Morrish Medallist in Rocci will have his hands full trying to stop the forward who is also capable of pinch-hitting in the midfield. While Northern have talls that can clunk marks, D’Intinosante will wait at the feet and crumb where required, though he is more than capable of creating his own space, leading out and converting set shots. It will be up to Rocci to lead the defence and restrict his impact while creating attacking plays from the defensive end.

Sam Philp/Adam Carafa vs. Daly Andrews/Josh Honey

The inside midfield is an area both these teams won comfortably last week and will be keen to repeat the dose in the first week of finals. Philp and Carafa combined for 64 touches and were everywhere for the Knights, while both Daly Andrews and Josh Honey got forward to hit the scoreboard. Both can play inside, outside or up either end which gives them the advantage in versatility, though the other two have been known to rest forward at times. It is likely the team that wins the midfield battle will progress to the semi-finals and therefore will be crucial in the overall scheme of the match.

Head to Head:

2019:
Northern Knights – 1
Western Jets – 1

Overall:
Northern Knights – 30
Western Jets – 15

Teams:

NORTHERN KNIGHTS

B: 4. J. Davies, 45. A. Taylor, 27. E. Macpherson
HB: 41. N. Kitchell, 9. C. Simonsen, 11. R. Sturgess
C: 12. C. Barbera, 8. A. Carafa, 37. K. Brandt
HF: 7. R. Gardner, 5. J. D’Intinosante, 10. J. Lucente
F: 59. J. Boyd, 40. L. Mcmahon, 23. N. Cox
R: 15. N. Howard, 13. S. Philp, 14. J. Watson
Int: 17. J. Bowne, 28. K. Davies, 46. S. House, 30. B. Leonard, 43. T. McMahon, 31. H. Ramshaw, 19. J. Trudgeon
23P: 24. L. Kolar

In: C. Barbera, N. Howard, J. Trudgeon

WESTERN JETS

B: 42. E. Acevski, 28. K. Crimmins, 4. L. Rocci
HB: 20. D. Cassar, 26. C. Raak, 8. J. Kellett
C: 14. M. Cousins, 24. J. Honey, 33. S. El-Hawli
HF: 13. D. Bolkas, 44. A. Manton, 17. N. Reynolds
F: 1. L. Failli, 45. A. Clarke, 3. E. Ford
R: 47. W. Kennedy, 19. J. Horo, 7. D. Andrews
Int: 15. H. Blake, 5. K. Borg, 37. L. Conway, 18. E. Jeka, 39. L. Phillips, 41. L. Rzanovski, 32. H. Schumann
23P: 6. B. Cootee

In: E. Jeka, K. Borg, C. Raak