NFL 2018: Lower Plenty star Tom Keys expected to cop Brent Macaffer tag in Division 2 grand final
LOWER Plenty expects star midfielder Tom Keys to have former Collingwood midfielder Brent Macaffer for company in Saturday’s Division 2 grand final.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
LOWER Plenty expects star midfielder Tom Keys to have former Collingwood midfielder Brent Macaffer for company in Saturday’s Division 2 grand final.
Eltham coach Paul King pulled a surprise in the major semi-final when he sent Macaffer, a tagger for much of his career with the Magpies, to blanket Keys.
NFL 2018: SUPER SAAD BAGS 10 FOR WEST PRESTON
NFL FINALS: FLAG FAVOURITE ELTHAM THROUGH TO DECIDER
NFL 2018: ST MARY’S CLAIMS HISTORIC PREMIERSHIP
Described as an elite shut-down player after performing jobs on the likes of Gary Ablett and Trent Cotchin, Macaffer has been a premier midfielder since joining the Panthers this year.
It spoke volumes of the respect King has for Keys, a former Division 1 team of the year member who has more than 100 games of senior experience with the Bears.
“It was actually really good to go to the footy and see two really talented players go head-to-head,” Lower Plenty coach Ben Turner said.
“I expect that to be the same again this week. Whether it’s a pure tag or a run with that means there’s a chance to go both ways.
“It’s a feather in Tom’s cap to have the premier midfielder from the opposition come to him.”
The Bears earned another crack at red-hot flag favourite Eltham with a 10.10 (70) to 7.8 (50) preliminary final victory over Banyule on Saturday.
Keys was instrumental in the 20-point win, further enhancing his reputation as a key figure to Lower Plenty’s premiership hopes.
The Panthers have won their three meetings this year by an average of 19 points, however the Bears got within eight points and 14 points in their most recent fixtures.
“We’ve proven we are able to stay in the contest with them and I think that’s the challenge,” Turner said.
“Just to remain in it for longer periods of time and if we can do that, we may well create a seed of doubt at some stage.
“We will tinker with a few things because they didn’t work last time. We’ll need to change a few things up to try and get the desired result.”
Thomas Blake, Darcy Barden and Jesse Smith also impressed in Saturday’s victory as Lower Plenty kicked four goals to one after halftime to shade a gruelling contest and earn its first grand final berth since 2011.
“Seeing the looks on the faces of the supporters after the game on Saturday, just the delight you see from them, it’s really important,” Turner said.
“Everybody is aware there’s still a game to go and an opportunity to come this weekend where if we can get our game going...then we give ourselves a chance.”
MORE LOCAL FOOTY
JARRAD WAITE LINKED WITH NORTHERN FL CLUB
Hill’s hopes to shortcut concussion protocols hits roadblock
AFL Victoria has revealed its verdict on a bid by one of local footy’s best players to avoid missing playing in a grand final by one day. Here’s what we know.
Appeal dismissed: Shepparton’s major grand final setback
Shepparton Bears’ star Luke Smith has had his appeal into a two-match ban heard late today. See the outcome.