The biggest day of the 2017 season is upon us as Macleod and Bundoora meet in the Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 grand final.
The Roos return to the decider for the third successive season and will be looking to atone for last year’s 16-point defeat to Heidelberg. If they can secure a second flag in three years they will strengthen their claim as one of the best grassroots teams in the modern era.
Bundoora is back on the grand final stage for the first time since 2013. The Bulls have taken the long route to the grand final in Ricky Dyson’s first season as coach, but enter with history on their side with the past five premiers coming through the preliminary final.
Macleod heads into the game as favourite on the back of an eight-game winning streak that extends back to Round 12. The Roos have won 16 of 19 matches this season, with the three defeats coming at a combined aggregate of just 19 points.
The well-rested minor premier possess star power all over the ground – headlined by a midfield which bats deeper and is more versatile than any other on-ball division in the competition.
Lucas Hobbs and Hamish Paynter remain two of the most accomplished clearance winners in the league, while Shane Doherty has been his side’s most improved player in 2017 and can play through the middle and also in a dangerous forward role.
Macleod has continued to spread the load in its attacking half, although Reid Brandt’s red-hot form in recent weeks makes him the forward Bundoora may have to put the most time into this week.
Brandt has kicked 41 goals in 14 appearances this season, which includes 19 goals in his past three starts. He booted eight in the second semi final win over Northcote Park and also slotted five in the Round 14 win over the Bulls.
The Roos are equally settled in defence, with Ned McKeown, Brad Leggett and Daniel O’Brien holding the key posts, while the likes of Justin White, Jack Bianchin and Josh Henkel mop up at ground level.
McKeown has further lifted his profile as one of the league’s best players this season and his versatility means he can pinch hit in the ruck if required, or even push forward. His versatility is matched by Jack Langford and Patrick Martin, who can play at either end of the ground.
The one negative from the otherwise faultless second semi final victory was an ACL injury Josh Totino. The ball magnet will not easily be replaced, however waiting in the wings is last year’s Frank Rosbrook medal third place getter Liam Brandt.
The star on-baller hasn’t played a senior game since sustaining an injury in the Round 12 loss to Eltham. However, in 2015 he also entered the grand final on limited preparation and produced a best on ground performance in the win over Greensborough.
Despite Macleod entering the grand final as favourite, Bundoora’s line-up contains just as many players capable of winning the game of their own boot.
Nathan Thomas and Danny Younan have excelled in their first season with the club and have been two of the major drivers in guiding the Bulls to their first grand final appearance in four years.
Thomas was close to unstoppable when the side’s met in Round 14 and he was carried that form through the back half of the season, working well through the midfield with Liam Byrne and David Mitchell.
Younan has averaged two goals a game in his 14 appearances for the Bulls and was best afield in the first semi final win over Greensborough. He was also lively late in last week’s tight victory over Northcote Park and looks made for the big occasion.
Once again, Matthew Dennis looms as arguably the most important player heading into the grand final. The most dominant ruckman in the league, the now three-time Frank Rosbrook medalist has the ability to turn the game by himself if he can dominate the aerial battle, along with young gun Isaac Muller.
Despite Macleod’s dangerous spread of goal kickers, Bundoora will be confident it can shut down the Roos’ avenues to goals. Ben Shelton, Brenton Keating and Scott Dowell were resolute last week, while Brent Marshall and Brendan Carlyon can be relied upon in lock-down roles.
At the opposite end, the speed of Josh and Nick Grabowski has the potential to light up Preston City Oval, while Gary Moorcroft’s final quarter heroics against Northcote Park again demonstrated his love of the big stage.
Many neutral supporters will hope for a repeat of the pair’s Round 14 encounter at De Winton Park, which was arguably the best match played in 2017. The Roos won by a point in a 32-goal shootout, where never more than 13 points separated the sides in the second half.
MEDIA
LIVE STREAM: A live stream of the Meadows Greyhounds Division 1 Grand Final between Macleod and Bundoora can be viewed on the Northern Football League Facebook page, while a broadcast can be heard on 88.6 Plenty Valley FM.
DOWNLOAD: A high-definition digital download of the grand final can be purchased at www.nfl.sportscastcloud.com.au seven days after game. The price of the digital download is $22.00.
SEASON STATS
MACLEOD
16 wins – 3 losses
Points For – 1987, Average For – 105
Points Against – 1267, Average Against – 67
Average Winning Margin – 46
Average Losing Margin – 6
Leading Goal Kicker – Reid Brandt (41)
Most Times In Best – Ned McKeown (11)
BUNDOORA
14 wins – 7 losses
Points For – 1974, Average For – 94
Points Against – 1559, Average Against – 74
Average Winning Margin – 38
Average Losing Margin – 17
Leading Goal Kicker – Gary Moorcroft (53)
Most Times In Best – Matthew Dennis (17)
HEAD TO HEAD IN 2017
Round 14: Macleod 16.9 (105) def Bundoora 16.8 (104)
Macleod
Goals: R. Brandt 5, S. Doherty 5, J. White 2, N. McKeown, L. Hobbs, H. Paynter, R. Geary
Best: S. Doherty, R. Brandt, J. White, R. Geary, N. McKeown, B. Leggett
Bundoora
Goals: D. Younan 5, J. Lord 3, T. Keating 2, J. Furlong, M. Dennis, L. Byrne, D. Mitchell, N. Grabowski, N. Thomas
Best: N. Thomas, M. Dennis, L. Byrne, D. Younan, M. Pavlovski, J. Lord
Round 8: Bundoora 7.9 (51) def by Macleod 16.17 (113)
Bundoora
Goals: A. Carmusciano 3, G. Moorcroft 2, J. Grabowski, D. Younan
Best: D. Younan, J. Palazzolo, A. Carmusciano, J. Grabowski, D. Nixon, M. Dennis
Macleod
Goals: M. Clark 3, J. Langford 2, R. Brandt 2, L. Brandt, C. Smythe, C. Corr, A. Doherty, L. Hobbs, H. Paynter, B. Leggett, S. Doherty, P. Martin
Best: J. White, A. Doherty, C. Long, H. Paynter, J. Bianchin, N. McKeown
