Phantom Picks - SEMI FINALS
Sep 25, 2009

2009  SEMI FINALS

What a big weekend of Football we've got coming up.  2 HUGE games of Div 1 footy, and a Div 2 match where the two teams get to battle it out to take on the red hot Quebec Saints who made extremely short work of the Blues last week.  What a pleasure it is to basing in this late summer weather which has arrived to southern Ontario. The tension in the league is building along with the crowds.  Perhaps this is testament to the growing skill within the league making the competition closer than ever.  Although the record books will say the Roos were a cut about the competition throughout the season, you would be braver than Hulk Hogan it you were to write off any one of the remaining teams just yet.

 ROOS vs BLUES, HUMBER SOUTH, 9:45

The moment has come we have all been waiting for. The Roos have finally made it to the finals and will be looking to field a full strength team after the weeks rest and playing on their home turf. The match is sure to draw the home fans out of the woodwork for a must win match against the surprise packet of the finals, the Central Blues.  Although on paper I have prediceted earlier that no one would get close to the roos, I think the Blues are going to go into this match with absolutely nothing to loose. Last week emile and the team would have been watching the Blues and I'm sure would have been just a little concerned with the pace and intensity the Blues found right from the opening bounce.  But the task isn't going to get any easier this week when they have to contend with McKenzie, Harris and co to get over the line.  The scintilating form of Kien la from the blues has been something to watch and he has definietly established himself as one of the most dangerous players in the competition playing from the wing or on the ball.  For the Blues to have any chance La will need to be on the top of his game, and the defense will be pushed to the limit to prevent supply reaching the big guns in the Blues forward line.  Both teams are extrememly well drilled and have the ability to move the ball the length of the ground quickly which should make for a great spectators match.

Although it would be a fairtale story for the Blues to go from 6th into a grand final, the Roos have come too far to let this one slip. Roos by 11 points.

T. EAGLES VS HAWKS, HUMBER NORTH 2:30

What an interesting match this will be.  The Hawks who we've known all along have the firepower to blow any opposition out of the water against the most experienced and successful team in the OAFL of the past 5 years in the Eagles.  On paper this is anyones game. The Eagles have only lost 2 games this year, both to the Roos and in the last matchup between these two it took until the last quarter for them to pull away from the 'out of form' Hawks.  Times have changed since then and despite my predictions that a close game would go to Hamilton, Broadview showed they may actually have a bit of ticker left in the tank when push comes to shove.  Ajit Alister, the recently crowned MVP of the league will be a key for the Eagles, along with big game star Troy Marsh and goal sneak / coach Falcioni.  For the Hawks to get over the line, the key players that need to step up are Walker, Pareja, Leyhane and the Gaulke-Nicholson.  The backline of the hawks has been questionable all year, but seem to have found consistency of late and will be key.  

This match could go either way and I'm sure there will be a lot of interested spectators watching two games this Sunday. Big crowd on hand to witness the battle for a bigger prize.  It's tough to go against form, but there's a reason the Eagles are such a strong team, they perform in big games.  Eagles by 2 points.

DIVISION 2

ROOS VS HAWKS, HUMBER NORTH, 1:15

Both teams will be looking to take this one out for the opportunity to battle the Quebec Saints for the first ever Mike Pyke Cup in next weeks grand final. Once again the Div 2 is a tough one to call with both teams fielding a bunch of older players who are suseceptable to injuries and housework.  I look forward to seeing which guys have been pulled out of the woodwork for this one and think the Hawks will make up for their loss in the later game by walking away with a win here.  Hawks by 9 points.

AFL GRAND FINAL

On a stop from Mongola last week I was close to Melbourne so dropped by to see the Saints and Cats at their last training. Melbourne is abuzz with energy at the minute with 2 Victorian teams battling it out for the AFL Premiership on Saturday.  Both looked in good form, but the Cats will be hungrier after having the cup snatched away from them last year by the Hawks.  Stevie J will kick the first goal, Riewaldt will win the Norm Smith, Geelong will win by 3 points.

There are a number of clubs having Grand Final parties this year so get along and support your club and enjoy the football action.

The Ghost Who Handballs.

Phantom

PS: Has anyone seen Jean Grey lately??