The Dycer Constructions Premiership Grand Final will be held at the home of Gambier Centrals Soccer Club, Bishop Road on Sunday. For the first time in the history of the competition one team will walk away with the prize on the final day of the season.
Last years premiers Apollo have once again played the most attractive football and thoroughly deserve the opportunity to go back to back on Sunday. They have the strongest squad and coach Derek Ferguson boasts a squad that is the envy of most clubs in the league.
Their opponents on Sunday are their greatest rival, a team hungry to return to the winners circle International Soccer Club. Inter are without a doubt the most successful club in the history of the Western Border Soccer Association and losing their title to Apollo last year would have hurt the boys from Casadio Park. To lose it two years in row would see talk of a Webb Street dynasty.
Apollo have no secrets, they play the ball out from the back, encourage their fullbacks to attack, work as a unit and play short passes as they work their way slowly up the field. Ben Morris has been steady in goals and the back three of Chris Bytheway, David Coles and Tom Inglis is the best defensive unit in the league. In midfield they are good out wide with both George Panagopolous and Matthew Ripper capable of creating and scoring chances. In the middle the stable Gav Hancock, Wayne Lennon and Adam Hodge are very solid. Up front they will play the impressive Ash Stenner and one other, probably Stewie Wallace with Matt Ferguson left to come off the bench. All round they have quality and options a plenty with the three Stephenson brothers and Craig Walker all capable if called upon.
Inter on the other hand have not been as settled and have moved their squad around in recent weeks. Last week inter played three at the back and it worked quite well. The experienced Chris Williams, the much improved Adam Craig and the veteran Robbie Manfrin did the job without the need for the suspended Ricky McRoberts. He may find it hard to force his way back in this week. A defensive midfield three of Todd Lewis, Chris Cella and Andrew Ielasi provided protection for the back three and freedom for Omari Didero, Marcus Morony and Sam Bueti. Up front the hard working Matt Bueti chases most balls and plays the perfect foil for morony who is set for a big one Sunday. Since returning to the side Morony has struggled to find form and despite working hard last week it was the young wide boys, Didero and Sam Bueti who tore apart the sharks. This week inter will need Morony to take the lead and find the back of the net. For me he is the key and his battle with Chris Bytheway will be good to watch. Out wide Apollo have the edge with Panagopolous more willing to defend than Sam Bueti.
Experience will be the key on Sunday with Apollo's Stenner, Hodge, Cole, Lennon, and the Stephenson's all very capable of keeping their head in the pressure of a final, the big question is how Didero, Lewis the Bueti's and if called upon the capable Will Circelli, handle the same kind of pressure.
Derek Ferguson has had the answers each time they have clashed in recent times and the experience gained at Federation Cup level may prove advantageous, however Lou Zaccardo is the first to point out his side are getting closer taking the game last time they played to extra time and penalties. This weekend history will be made and if form is anything to go by, Apollo hold the edge in what will be a close battle.
The game will be broadcast on 5gtr fm with the round ball team of Scott Dickson and Nathan Butler providing coverage from 2pm.
Possible line ups
Apollo
Morris
Bytheway - Cole - Inglis
Panagopolous - Lennon - Hancock - Hodge - Ripper
Stenner- Wallace
Inter
Reid
Williams - Craig - Manfrin
Lewis - Cella - Ielasi
Armari - Morony - S.Bueti
M.Bueti
Where the game will be won - in the midfield with Morony a key figure
Where Apollo have the edge - in experience
Turning point - Apollo are very good at set pieces
Player to watch - the classy Ielasi and the unflappable David Cole
Last years premiers Apollo have once again played the most attractive football and thoroughly deserve the opportunity to go back to back on Sunday. They have the strongest squad and coach Derek Ferguson boasts a squad that is the envy of most clubs in the league.
Their opponents on Sunday are their greatest rival, a team hungry to return to the winners circle International Soccer Club. Inter are without a doubt the most successful club in the history of the Western Border Soccer Association and losing their title to Apollo last year would have hurt the boys from Casadio Park. To lose it two years in row would see talk of a Webb Street dynasty.
Apollo have no secrets, they play the ball out from the back, encourage their fullbacks to attack, work as a unit and play short passes as they work their way slowly up the field. Ben Morris has been steady in goals and the back three of Chris Bytheway, David Coles and Tom Inglis is the best defensive unit in the league. In midfield they are good out wide with both George Panagopolous and Matthew Ripper capable of creating and scoring chances. In the middle the stable Gav Hancock, Wayne Lennon and Adam Hodge are very solid. Up front they will play the impressive Ash Stenner and one other, probably Stewie Wallace with Matt Ferguson left to come off the bench. All round they have quality and options a plenty with the three Stephenson brothers and Craig Walker all capable if called upon.
Inter on the other hand have not been as settled and have moved their squad around in recent weeks. Last week inter played three at the back and it worked quite well. The experienced Chris Williams, the much improved Adam Craig and the veteran Robbie Manfrin did the job without the need for the suspended Ricky McRoberts. He may find it hard to force his way back in this week. A defensive midfield three of Todd Lewis, Chris Cella and Andrew Ielasi provided protection for the back three and freedom for Omari Didero, Marcus Morony and Sam Bueti. Up front the hard working Matt Bueti chases most balls and plays the perfect foil for morony who is set for a big one Sunday. Since returning to the side Morony has struggled to find form and despite working hard last week it was the young wide boys, Didero and Sam Bueti who tore apart the sharks. This week inter will need Morony to take the lead and find the back of the net. For me he is the key and his battle with Chris Bytheway will be good to watch. Out wide Apollo have the edge with Panagopolous more willing to defend than Sam Bueti.
Experience will be the key on Sunday with Apollo's Stenner, Hodge, Cole, Lennon, and the Stephenson's all very capable of keeping their head in the pressure of a final, the big question is how Didero, Lewis the Bueti's and if called upon the capable Will Circelli, handle the same kind of pressure.
Derek Ferguson has had the answers each time they have clashed in recent times and the experience gained at Federation Cup level may prove advantageous, however Lou Zaccardo is the first to point out his side are getting closer taking the game last time they played to extra time and penalties. This weekend history will be made and if form is anything to go by, Apollo hold the edge in what will be a close battle.
The game will be broadcast on 5gtr fm with the round ball team of Scott Dickson and Nathan Butler providing coverage from 2pm.
Possible line ups
Apollo
Morris
Bytheway - Cole - Inglis
Panagopolous - Lennon - Hancock - Hodge - Ripper
Stenner- Wallace
Inter
Reid
Williams - Craig - Manfrin
Lewis - Cella - Ielasi
Armari - Morony - S.Bueti
M.Bueti
Where the game will be won - in the midfield with Morony a key figure
Where Apollo have the edge - in experience
Turning point - Apollo are very good at set pieces
Player to watch - the classy Ielasi and the unflappable David Cole
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