The key match-ups, players to watch and analysis of the NFNL Division 1 decider
It’s the NFNL Division 1 grand final sequel but will it be The Godfather II or Speed II: Cruise Control? See the key match-ups, players to watch and analysis here.
Northern
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It’s a sequel but will it be the Godfather II or Speed II: Cruise Control?
Heidelberg and Bundoora meet again on the biggest day on the Northern Football Netball League calendar.
For the eighth time in history, and sixth in the past 20 years, the Tigers and Bulls battle for the Division 1 premiership.
Heidelberg has won six of the seven grand final meetings.
Heidelberg has won seven straight against Bundoora in general, dating back to 2021.
Heidelberg is undefeated in 16 games with only a draw against Montmorency a blip on the club’s march to the grand final.
The bigger they are the harder they fall? So Bundoora hopes.
The Bulls haven’t lost to a team other than Heidelberg since Round 11 and showcased their very best in the preliminary final win over North Heidelberg.
If they can bring that, and with the sun shining on Preston City Oval, a repeat of last year’s breath-taking extra-time semi-final is on offer.
If not, it could be a repeat of the Round 14 match, a 78-point Tigers romp.
KEY MATCH-UPS
SAM GILMORE v HAMISH SHEPHEARD
Worth the price of admission alone. The ruck battle will play a big role in the outcome of Saturday’s grand final and this are two of the two three big man in the competition. Both Gilmore and Shepheard are capable of winning the ball and surging it forward and also critical to their team’s ball movement around the ground. Under-studies Mitch and John Jorgensen – unrelated – will need to keep the pressure on when it’s their turn.
MATT SMITH v JAKE HOBBS
Win the clearance battle, win the game, it could be as simple as that. Matt Smith’s ability to win the contested ball is well known so who can stop him? Hobbs might be Bundoora’s go-to man. Also a bull at the coalface, he can match Smith’s strength around the contest and maybe has the edge on the spread. Whoever plays in there, Lachie Wilson, Luke Collins, Luke Bunker or Kain Proctor, it’s going to be a fascinating battle to watch.
BRAYDEN SIER v BEN YOUNG
Sier is one of several Heidelberg players that can rotate forward-midfield and have a major impact in both. However, Sier has arguably more impact when resting forward than his other teammates, evidenced by his 30 goals – second most at the club. Given his power and agility there are few players in the competition that can go with him. However, Ben Young might be the man the Bulls call on. He’s a shutdown defender that can hold his own in the contest.
DANIEL O’DWYER v PETER McEVOY
Stepping back from VFL it was no surprise McEvoy was arguably Bundoora’s best player this season. His durability and class were big reasons the Bulls earned a double chance during the home-and-away season. He led the Bulls with 36 majors and will play a critical role on the bigger PCO. A likely match-up is Daniel O’Dwyer, who spent much of the season at VFL level with Northern Bullants. The Tigers premiership defender was centre half-back in the Team of the Year last season and will be keen for another scalp and flag on the big stage.
ZANE BARZEN v LACHIE EAST
Barzen is the flame to Heidelberg’s moths. A danger in front of goal himself, finishing third in the league goalkicking with 46 majors, he is also important in the forward pressure game. Barzen creates the contest and the Tigers’ fleet of small forwards gather to him and create havoc on the ground. As such, Lachie East will be looking to either intercept mark or nullify the contest with aggressive spoils to disrupt the forward gameplan.
X-FACTOR
TOM SULLIVAN
A match-winner at either end of the ground, Sullivan is a major weapon for Tigers coach Vinny Dattoli. Was among the best in Heidelberg’s semi-final win and will likely start in defence to combat Bundoora’s tall timber. If he gets a chance to intercept and kick-start the Tigers offence he could have a very big say in the outcome.
KYLE GREEN
All eyes will be on Bundoora’s talls, Shaun McKernan, John Jorgensen and Peter McEvoy, but when the ball hits the ground who’s there. Green has to have a big game on Saturday for the Bulls to have a chance of victory. The small forward missed the Round 14 clash and kicked two goals in the semi-final loss. If he can kick a bag, he might just be a premiership player.
EXPECTED LINE-UPS
Heidelberg looks the more settled of the two teams heading into the grand final but the Tigers could still make a couple of changes. Tigers coach Vinny Dattoli said he had a squad of 25 to chose from heading into selection. If they feel more run is needed to combat Bundoora then the likes of Isaac Wallace (15 games), Ben Nikolovski (13) and Matt McInerney (10), who were all dropped for the major semi-final could be considered. Jed Rule and Max Thompson haven’t been able to get up due to injury.
Bundoora, meanwhile, will be a fascinating watch when teams are announced. Zane Barker and Jedd Longmire came in for the preliminary final and Ben McNiece and Nathan Phillips went out. McNiece is battling injury and will be a line-ball call. The Bulls must also consider how it fits its best side in with points restrictions. The likes of Neville Jetta and Joel Fitzgerald would be available but would likely struggle to fit in under the cap.
COACHES’ SAY
Vinny Dattoli (Heidelberg): Every line is extremely important but my gut feel is it’s going to be a battle of the backlines. Both forwardlines are quite different but extremely dangerous. Everyone says the game is won in middle, and it is, but if you go on numbers the inside 50s weren’t too different last time we played them. It’s just a matter of which team can better take their opportunities.
Michael Ryan (Bundoora): It’s definitely going to be won in the midfield, Heidelberg are really strong around the football and at clearance. For us as a group, we’ve got to make it a real big focus, we’re compliant on ball and do our absolute best to give our forwards an opportunity one-on-one early. The focus has to be on us as well, sometimes you can worry about the opposition too much and forget about your own strengths. If we can play our brand of football, connect well, then the scoreboard will take care of itself.
VERDICT
We know what Heidelberg we’re going to get.
But the big question is, which Bundoora will run out onto Preston City Oval on Sunday.
Will we get the preliminary final Bundoora that wiped the floor with a previously red-hot North Heidelberg.
Or will it be the Bulls sides that have struggled to fire a shot a the Tigers in three meeting this season.
If it’s the former, game on.
Heidelberg’s depth of talent is arguably the envy of just about every local footy club in Melbourne.
They’re strong from top to bottom and that’s underlined by the fact the club’s reserves are also in the grand final.
You feel Bundoora’s big guns need to fire for it to have a chance.
Can Shaun McKernan, Peter McEvoy and John Jorgensen kick 10-15 goals between them? The conditions should suit the talls, unlike last year.
Can Hamish Shepheard, Luke Collins, Sam Lloyd and Jake Hobbs win the midfield battle to give the Bulls first use and quick ball movement?
Even if both those things happen Heidelberg still has the weapons to win, see last year’s semi-final.
While it certainly wouldn’t surprise, it’s hard to see the Tigers letting this slip … HEIDELBERG BY 8 POINTS
Family draws Spicer to Stars
A family connection helped Fitzroy Stars land ex-AFL forward Phoenix Spicer and coach Neville Jetta believes it can have a longer-lasting impact.
The local footy teams to keep an eye on in 2025
From clubs with massive off-season recruiting drives to those who need to live up to the pressure, these are the local footy teams you need to keep an eye on in 2025.