SHEPPARTON V ROCHESTER
Shepparton will be looking to book a spot in its first grand-final since it last won a flag back in 2018.
The Bears will feel that they deserve another crack at the reigning premier Echuca in a fortnight.
But co-coaches Xavier Stevenson and Ted Lindon are no fools.
They know that their Bears will have to earn their spot in the big dance.
Rochester will not just hand it to them.
The Bears made a statement with their first semi-final demolition of Mooroopna, with the game all but over by the main break at Seymour last Sunday when they led by 55 points.
Murray Bushrangers midfielder Ned Byrne was superb through the midfield in the win.
He booted three goals and racked up plenty of possessions.
Adam Decicco, Ethan Baxter, Lewis McShane, Luke Smith, Trent Herbert and Morrison Medal fancy and one of the league’s best ruckman Ash Holland will be extremely important for the Bears.
They will be looking to lead from the front for their team.
The Bears have prided themselves on strong starts to games and they blitzed the Cats in the opening quarter last Sunday.
They will look to try and jump out the blocks quickly to make it hard for the Tigers to get back in the contest.
The Tigers and coach Ash Watson will be wary of the way the Bears start games.
He will demand that his players are ready from whatever the Bears throw at them because he will know that if they close at quarter time, that’s a win going into the second quarter.
Ryan O’Keefe, Andy Henderson, Lachlan Watson, Bailey Boyack and Matt Kellett will be hoping to continue the form of the last quarter in the loss to the Murray Bombers in the major semi-final.
Mitch Cricelli was great in the elimination final win with six goals.
He will need to have a huge game like he did a fortnight ago as will Doug Wren and Mitch Bright
Mitch Trewhella remains an unlikely starter for the Tigers after he was stretchered off in the loss to the Murray Bombers.
He will leave a big hole to fill for the Tigers through that midfield, but his absence will provide an opportunity for some of the youngsters to step up and grab the opportunity.
And another worrying stat that the Tigers will be desperate to reverse is the two defeats it had to Shepparton during the home and away season.
For mine, the Tigers will give a roar, but I think it will be the Bears that prevail to set-up what will be a mouth-watering clash with red-hot favourite Echuca. Tip: Shepparton.
