Whittlesea sets up mouth-watering Northern Football League Division 2 grand final clash with Lalor after ousting Hurstbridge from premiership race

STRAP yourselves in for a Northern Football League Division 2 grand final to savour.

NFL footy: Thomastown V Whittlesea. Whittlesea Brad Dean. Picture: Adam Elwood

STRAP yourselves in for a Division 2 grand final to savour.

Little has separated Northern Football League combatants Lalor and Whittlesea this year, the Eagles prevailing by 15 points or less on three occasions against the minor premier.

Whittlesea won through to the 2015 season decider with a 35-point victory over Hurstbridge on Saturday at Epping Recreation Reserve, setting the scene for a mouth-watering grand final.

Eagles coach Brad Dean said another close tussle was likely, with Lalor chasing its first premiership since 2007.

“They’ve been three really close games and we’ve been lucky enough to be in front when the siren has gone on each occasion,” Dean said.

“The good thing is our players go in with some belief knowing that if we produce our best football it’s capable of winning.

“Lalor have been the benchmark all year, finished on top of the ladder and were really impressive against Hurstbridge two weeks ago.”

Two weeks after being hobbled in a moon boot, Chris Horman starred for Whittlesea with five goals in its 20.14 (134) to 14.15 (99) preliminary final win.

Dean said the Eagles ruled a line through Horman for the rest of the campaign before he made a stunning recovery from injury.

“We didn’t think he was going to play any further part in the season,” he said.

“We played him at full forward which probably caught Hurstbridge by surprise. I think he had four shots for goal in the first six minutes and had 1.3.”

The sides traded majors in an opening-half shootout, Whittlesea holding a 10-point halftime buffer after a seven-goal-to-five second term.

The Eagles made their move in the third stanza, slotting six goals to open a 26-point lead at the final break.

There was no way back for Hurstbridge, which exited the premiership race in straight sets.

“We comfortably got their measure about 6-8 weeks ago and they put us to the sword a few weeks ago,” Dean said.

“To have the turnaround in a couple of weeks just goes to show, we’re pretty strong in the mind, our group of players.

“That will hopefully hold them in good stead for this week when they’ve got their backs to the wall.

“We’ve come out with two really pleasing victories the last couple of weeks in cutthroat finals.”

NFL DIVISION 2 GRAND FINAL

Lalor

Season finish: 1st (13-4-1, 54 points)

Leading goalkicker: Todd Hughes (77 goals)

Key players: Shane Jacobs, Harley Ryan, Jarrod King, Todd Hughes.

Whittlesea

Season finish: 3rd (11-6-1, 46 points)

Leading goalkicker: Andrew Fairchild (59 goals)

Key players: Matt Dornauf, Nathan Stefanile, Andrew Fairchild, Janan Daniel.