NFL 2018: The players who will decide the race for Division 1 premiership
The Northern Football League Division 1 premiership race could hardly be closer. Here’s your guide to the players who will define the finals series, which starts on Saturday.
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The Northern Football League Division 1 premiership race could hardly be closer.
NFL 2018: WATSONIA ROMPS TO LONG-AWAITED WIN
ROOSTERS OUT TO MAKE AMENDS IN FINALS
BUNDOORA PREPARED TO TAKE LONG ROAD FOR SUCCESS
Minor premier Macleod might have finished well clear on top of the ladder at the end of the home-and-away season, but its four flag rivals — North Heidelberg, West Preston-Lakeside, Greensborough and Bundoora — all boast matchwinners who could be the difference on the big stage.
The potential storylines in this year’s finals series are plentiful. Can Macleod send Garry Ramsay out as a two-time premiership coach in his last year in charge? Will North Heidelberg’s remarkable rise from Division 2 continue at Preston?
Can Bundoora become the first side since Heidelberg in 2009 to win back-to-back flags? Will West Preston-Lakeside make amends for a disappointing elimination final last year?
And can Greensborough defy the odds to come from an elimination final to challenge?
Here are the potential matchwinners from each team vying for Division 1 glory:
Macleod
Lucas Hobbs
One of the smoothest movers in the competition and a proven player on the big stage with both Macleod and the Northern Football League representative team. Hobbs is the type of player who seldom plays a poor game and his ability to hit the scoreboard from midfield should not be underestimated. The Roos might be a champion team, rather than a team of champions, but Hobbs is certainly one of the NFL’s prime movers.
Patrick Martin
Martin has kicked no fewer than 17 goals in a season since 2014, but has emerged as a genuine matchwinner for Macleod this year. He’s got 36 goals from 15 games and the Roos faithful would have been buoyed to see him return to the senior team for the last game of the home-and-away season against Northcote Park on Saturday. Martin has only been held goalless in two games this year and he’ll be crucial if Macleod is to capitalise on the Preston City Oval breeze and score quickly in finals.
Jack Langford
Macleod doesn’t lack quality in many areas, if any. But one question mark which has hovered over it in the past few seasons is whether it can be exposed for a lack of height. With VFL experience at Essendon and standing about 194cm, Langford can be either a key target up forward for the Roos or be thrown behind the ball to stop an opposition team’s momentum. Langford’s marking is a feature of his game and it will be intriguing to see what role Garry Ramsay uses the versatile tall in.
North Heidelberg
Brent Harvey
Some argue the AFL games record holder could still be playing at North Melbourne. After 432 games with the Kangaroos, Harvey has hardly missed a beat in his two seasons playing alongside his brother Shane. He won the Division 2 best and fairest last year, led North Heidelberg to a flag and promotion and has gone on to kick 52 goals from 17 games this year. Opposition sides will need to quell his influence, as Diamond Creek largely did in last year’s second tier grand final.
Shane Harvey
Possibly the most underrated player featuring in community football. Harvey’s record playing in the NFL speaks for itself. He kicked his 900th goal in North Heidelberg colours this year and has backed up his 115 majors from 2017 by booting 63 from 18 matches in Division 1. Harvey was near unstoppable on grand final day last season and finished with five goals. Let him off the leash at your peril.
Liam Hunt
Hunt is the reigning Coburg VFL best and fairest and much was made of his decision to depart the VFL to play community football a few rounds into this season. The Lions’ loss has been the Bulldogs’ gain and Hunt’s experience playing in big matches and on Preston City Oval will come in handy for North Heidelberg. He’s the type of player who could put dangerous ball users such as Brent Harvey, Jesse Tardio and Jhye Baddeley-Kelly into space and that would spell trouble for opposition teams.
Bundoora
Matt Dennis
Dennis has endured a frustrating season which has been punctuated by injury and suspension. The mobile ruckman has only featured for the Bulls 12 times this year, however it would be foolish to not consider his potential impact on the finals series. In last season’s decider against Macleod, Dennis’ ability around the ground was evident and he clearly relishes playing on Preston City Oval. The three-time Frank Rosbrook medallist is effectively an extra on-baller for coach Ricky Dyson to call on.
Gary Moorcroft
Moorcroft silences the doubters each year who assume beyond 40 his impact should be waning. His experience has been so crucial for Bundoora in recent finals series and he’s often kicked goals at the market end of Preston City Oval where they are worth their weight in gold. He’s always been a difficult match up as his marking ability is well known but he is so dangerous when the ball hits the ground. Moorcroft had his 42nd birthday in April yet has kicked 43 goals in 16 matches this year. That’s a return any small forward would be content with.
Scott Dowell
The Bulls’ defence doesn’t often win many plaudits, but Bundoora would likely have fallen to Macleod in last year’s grand final had it not been for the resolute efforts of former Lalor player Dowell. He’s missed a few games in the past month but is expected to play against Greensborough on Sunday.
West Preston-Lakeside
Ahmed Saad
Saad will have a point to prove in this year’s finals series after he was double-teamed out of last year’s elimination final by Greensborough. The bonus for the Roosters this year has been they have unearthed several other avenues to goal, however the value of former St Kilda small forward Saad cannot be undersold. A record of 127 goals from 28 games shows how dynamic Saad can be when he is on song.
Jackson Clarke
The key man in defence for West Preston, but Clarke’s ability to get forward and coach Rob Maiorana’s willingness to use him in attack has been noticeable in the second half of this year. Teams which take only one game plan in at Preston City Oval rarely prosper and Clarke’s ability to negate opposition forwards and provide a foil in attack for Saad and Patrick Karnezis could provide another weapon for the Roosters.
Mark Kovacevic
The Coburg VFL-listed big man has returned from a serious knee injury suffered last year to be West Preston-Lakeside’s No. 1 ruckman. The Roosters have been keen to bolster their big-man stocks for several years and at over 200cm, Kovacevic will give them an edge against most ruckmen in the hit outs. If the former Calder Cannon can give West Preston’s talented midfield first use, it will significantly boost their chances of glory.
Greensborough
Jack Johnston
The ability to propel the ball off half back at speed is a major weapon when the wind picks up at Preston and Johnston’s pace and marking ability make him a key figure for the Boro. He was best afield in last year’s elimination final win over West Preston-Lakeside and his skill with ball in hand will also be important if the Boro is focused on retaining possession.
Billy Murphy
Murphy’s involvement in the finals series will likely depend on how far Greensborough progresses. After 18 goals in five games with the Boro, he’s won his spot back in the Box Hill VFL team. The Hawks will feature in VFL finals, which also start this weekend. If he misses out at Box Hill, he’ll be a very welcome addition for Greensborough after three hauls of four goals or better in his five NFL games this year.
Charlie Molyneux
A tenacious ball winner, Molyneux has been limited to seven games in his debut season for the Boro. Co-coach Mick Harford was full of praise for Molyneux’s ability in the clinches and he’ll be vital as the intensity rises to another level in finals. Greensborough will hope Molyneux can feed its running brigade and expose opposition teams as it strives to progress from an elimination final.
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