Local Footy looks at the Northern Football League Division 2 grand final and Division 1 preliminary final in this week’s Finals Form Guide

THE focus is squarely on Preston City Oval this week for the Northern Football League Division 1 preliminary final and Division 2 grand final. Local Footy tells you what to expect in our Finals Form Guide.

Macleod has embraced the extra pressure throughout the finals, including a win over Bundoora. Picture: Carmelo Bazzano.

NORTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

DIVISION 1 PRELIMINARY FINAL

Macleod will be out to stop another final between Greensborough and Heidelberg taking place next week. Picture: Angie Basdekis

GREENSBOROUGH V MACLEOD

Sunday, September 14, 2.10pm, Preston City Oval

Story so far

Greensborough: Missed the chance to progress directly to the grand final with a 15-point loss against Heidelberg last week. Greensborough have been one of the top sides all season, along with the Tigers. It would seem fitting if they played off in a grand final, but Macleod will be a formidable opponent. Star forward Tim Bogetti will return next week if Greensborough reaches the season decider.

Macleod: The Roos have played as well as anyone throughout this year’s finals series, culminating in a semi-final win over Montmorency last week. Losing Kane Shaw to a two-week suspension hurts, but Macleod has beaten the odds already this year to reach the final three. The Roos run-and-gun style suits Preston City Oval to a tee.

Previous matches

Round 13, July 19: Macleod 13.15 (93) v Greensborough 10.18 (78). The Roos rallied from a seven-point three-quarter-time deficit with a five-goal to one final term. Jack Langford was best afield, while Bongetti booted four majors for Greensborough.

Round 4, May 3: Macleod 10.9 (69) v Greensborough 7.11 (53). Macleod led at every change but Greensborough mounted a final-quarter comeback to get within 16 points. Hamish Paynter was impressive for the Roos, while Lachlan McQuilken was Greensborough’s best.

Recent form

Greensborough: LWWLW

Macleod: WWLWW

Leader Local Footy Tip

Macleod by 6 points.

DID YOU KNOW?

If Greensborough wins through to the grand final, every season decider this year will have been played between the teams that finished first and second on the ladder after the home-and-away season. Northcote Park (fourth), was the last team to reach a grand final from outside the top two when it won the 2012 premiership.

DIVISION 2 GRAND FINAL

Malcolm Dow and Fitzroy Stars will be desperate to go one better than last year. Picture: Angie Basdekis

FITZROY STARS V NORTH HEIDELBERG

Saturday, September 13, 2.15pm, Preston City Oval

Story so far

Fitzroy Stars: The Stars have been the only side to challenge North Heidelberg’s supremacy this season and squared the ledger 2-2 with victory in the semi-final two weeks ago. Skipper Lionel Proctor returns for Saturday’s clash in a major boost. Fitzroy finished second over the home-and-away season with a 14-4 record.

North Heidelberg: The Dogs entered finals as minor premier, but have had to come the long way to book their place against the Stars this weekend. North Heidelberg has played like a Division 1 side regularly this year and gets its chance to earn promotion on Saturday.

Previous matches

Semi-final, August 30: Fitzroy Stars 21.13 (139) v North Heidelberg 16.17 (113). Djaran Whyman and John Hayes shared 11 goals as Fitzroy Stars stormed home in the final quarter to overrun the minor premiers.

Round 18, August 23: North Heidelberg 18.13 (121) v Fitzroy Stars 12.14 (86). The Stars fought back from a 54-point half-time deficit, but the Dogs had this game under control for most of the day. Unsurprisingly, Shane Harvey was the catalyst with eight goals, while John Hayes snagged five for the Stars.

Round 13, July 12: Fitzroy Stars 12.14 (86) v North Heidelberg 12.11 (83). The Stars became the first side to beat North Heidelberg in a final-quarter shootout. Both teams kicked seven goals in the final stanza but the Stars held on as Kain Proctor earned best-on-ground honours.

Round 1, April 5: North Heidelberg 19.11 (125) v Fitzroy Stars 5.11 (41). The Dogs led from start to finish in one of Fitzroy’s most lopsided results of the season. North Heidelberg was led by Lachlan Dowling, who snagged seven majors, while Jarrod Spurrell impressed.

Recent form

Fitzroy Stars: WLWWW

North Heidelberg: WLWWW

Leader Local Footy Tip

Fitzroy Stars by 16 points.

Best on ground: Allan Murray.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fitzroy Stars have finished third and second over the past two years in Division 2. North Heidelberg bundled Fitzroy out in a preliminary final in 2012, before it lost last year’s grand final against Whittlesea.