The two best sides, as expected at the half way point of season 2009, will square off tomorrow at the QEO for the BFL Premiership Cup, with South Bendigo, the underdog, gunning for there first triumph in 14 long seasons, while Golden Square will look to add to a trophy cabinet left bare since 2001.

A perfect day weather-wise is forecast, and huge crowd expected, and the surface in close enough to perfect nick. So who will deliver, who will fail to stand up on the big stage, and which club will be singing its club song into the wee hours of Sunday morning as premiers?

While we cant give you any definitive answers on the above questions, here, CVF looks at the reasons why both sides CAN win, and alternatively, factors that may determine they CAN’T.

First, we will start with the Doggies.

THEY WILL WIN…….
*if the game is close during the latter stages, or throughout the second half, as they will have the fresher legs and have had less question marks against key players injury wise.
*because they were here 12 months ago, and will use the hurt and disappointment from being so close yet so far away from ultimate honours as a spur.
*with the confidence gained from the 2nd semi final demolition job of the Bloods. Adamson will be supremely confident if his side is “switched on”, then they have the ability to cover whatever South throw at them.
*if their defence continues to be as miserly as it has been over the past 2 months of footy. South are a side that thrives on confidence and kicking volumes of goals in a rush, stop this and you take away their belief.
*because Nathan Bell is back in the starting line up. Another vital cog in an awesome midfield mix that includes Carter, Lloyd and Griffin.
*Nick Carter is a talisman for the Dogs, if he gets through the 4 quarters, he will kick 4 minimum just because of the player he is. Square fans will have there fingers crossed “Carts” can get the hammy through the intensity of a Grand Final
*finally, and quite simply because they have been the best side when it matters most, in September.

THEY COULD LOSE……
*if any element of complacency or arrogance sets in, and they start to fall for the pre-game hype and chat that has them clear cut favourites.
*they start slowly, allow South a sniff, and the Bloods get their tails up and get confident.
*if they choose not to be accountable going both ways through the middle. South have an impressive midfield, one of few in the league that can even come close to matching it pound for pound with the Dogs, and given enough time, space and use of the footy can cut you up.

Now, lets run our eye over the Bloods.

THEY WILL WIN…..
*if they get first hands on the footy more often than the Doggies. Therefore, huge responsibility falls onto the young shoulders of Brett Strange, who’s dual with McMeekin will be pivotal to the Bloods chances at clearances. Also needs to be a strong target around the ground in general play.
*if Dayne Frew marks everything and kicks straight. The main main for South when it comes to kicking them through the big sticks showed signs he was getting back to his best in the second half last week, and you reckon he would need 5 minimum if South are to kick a big enough score to trouble Square.
*if their midfielders get dangerous and kick goals aswell. This means Bowles, Ryan Connaughton, Ireland and Coburn need to ensure there opponent is wary of there whereabouts, not just chasing the footy.
*because on a whole, they have a younger side…and those young legs may be useful if it comes down to an arm wrestle and its a warm day.
* with a confident and attacking start, and then endeavour to get the Bulldogs panicking. Belief will play a huge part for the Bloods, so they need a couple of players to assert themselves early in the contest and get the footy going there way.

THEY COULD LOSE….
*quite simply if Golden Square are 100% “on”. Despite the Bloods best efforts, you cant be sure they have the talent and experienece to match it with Mark Adamsons boys.
*if they allow the Dog’s half back line freedom to run and carry without pressure. Defenders like Lloyd, Baird and Holdstock were super impressive a fortnight ago, and helped set up many of Golden Squares scoring opportunities.
*if key players (Frew, Hardinge, Coburn who have all at one time or another been under injury clouds through September) cannot run out the four quarters, and players like Stobaus and Alexander who have had limited senior game time in ‘09 get overawed by the moment.
*if Bowles, Frew and Aaron Connaughton have repeats of the 2nd semi game. These three are very important cogs, and if one or two of them are faltering, its hard to see South mustering enough inside 50 footy and scoreboard pressure.
*if they are slow with there ball movement, allowing the Dogs to get large numbers back behind the footy.

So there you have it. If you listen to the talk around town and the thoughts of expert tipsters around BFL circles, even fellow coaches, its a pretty clear cut result.

The ultimate reward is in reach for South champion Johny Hardinge.

But only one side has beaten Golden Square this year. yep, you guessed it. South Bendigo. They even did it twice. So they know the Dogs are not invincible, and will be extra determined to shake the supposed finals hoodoo that has followed the club since Peter Curran hoisted the Cup aloft back in ‘94.

But alas, we fear this wont be the year for Bloods fans, as Golden Square look to go that one step better than one year ago. They have done everything right in the lead up, look very hungry, and just seem to have a more even spread of class across the board.

For this reason, CVF is tipping a Golden Square celebration come Saturday night, to the tune of 27 points.

Don’t forget, if you can’t get to the QEO on Saturday, then you can always tune into 3BO from Midday for all the lead up before the first bounce, with guests including Steven Oliver, Sandhurst coach Kieren Nihill, BFL Goal Umpire Jason Siepolt, representatives from Heathcote and Mitiamo footy clubs, and both coaches before the opening bounce.

At 2pm, the calling team of Benny Jones, Zac Harvey and special comments from Shuan Makepeace will take over, with Bryan Coghlan on the stats sheet.

Local footy…on the local you know, 93.5 3BO!

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