HFL Division 1 (Central)

[downtheline]

Gum are so dominant in Div 2, would they make a play for Div 1?
Div 1 finals series looks pretty exciting. Hahndorf unbeaten but Nairne and Lofty are snapping at their heels. Barker would be a smokey if they get through and have all players firing. A pretty even top 5

[cracka]

Adam Klun to coach Onkas next year

[Toto]

I think even with Gum being that far ahead in Div 2 I don’t know if they’d beat Echunga or Blackwood…. And those 2 are a fair way off even the middle ranked sides. Not having a full club too doesn’t help. But who knows!

[Toto]

Nairne move on to take on Hahndorf again for a spot in the GF. Dominated most of the game a few players down and failed to put it on the scoreboard. Have a few injury concerns that might stretch their depth against the ladder leaders but I’m sure Hahndorf are wary from last years finals series.

I think the conditions today favour Uraidla into making it a tighter contest. Mount Barker much quicker and love to move the ball through the middle of the ground. Still giving the Roos the nod, just!

Mail Medal predictions for this week:
Turner will poll 2 in just about every game for the year to win it in my opinion. Hone, Timpano, Callins, Collins, Hill and Whimpress all to poll well.

[downtheline]

Lofty had every chance against Nairne who lost key players early and had no rotations for the second half. Barker were very good against Uri's and at their best are more than capable. Hahndorf should win through to the GF with a blanket over the other three. Turner for the Mail Medal

[Password Please]

Who is he? HFL D1 is the gun footballers graveyard. I’ve seen it countless times. Come up here as a big name and get bashed up by the inside mids like Callins, Williams, Bampton etc. They have lost 2 of their best in Taylor and Thomas and have heard Terlich is no guarantee to stay so they’d have cash to spend.

Firstly I’ve seen him close up over the last 5 years. It needs to be said that he is a fantastic young man, a gun? maybe in Div 4 of the Ammo’s. He’s leaving a club he’s spent nearly all his life at but have lost 12 of their best players already this year. He will be very competitive but frankly, I’d be surprised if he was in the top 10 mids in the strong Hills comp. He finds the footy and has a lethal left foot so I hope it works for him.

What did you think of Timpano Toto ?

[Toto]

I think your summary was pretty bang on from what I saw of him mate. Lethal left foot and hard to stop when he gets going but goes one way and generally goes well when Uraidla are on top only.

[Dutchy]

Handby the new coach at Blackwood

[Toto]

Great appointment by Blackwood! Exactly what they need.

Better weather this weekend for finals.
I think Hahndorf will go straight through with Nairne’s depth tested (I assume) after they had a few go down last weekend and we’re already missing a few from their best side.
Barker to beat lofty in a fast rebounding affair. I think Lofty rely too heavily on Hone in the midfield and Barker have more weapons up front. Lofty has the better back 6 but I am going for the Roos in an upset.

[Barkeroo]

Hahndorf get up by 4 points over Nairne

[Toto]

Lofty come from the clouds to steal the win from the Roos after being 5 goals down in the 3rd quarter in less than ideal conditions. Hone showing why he was the mail medalist putting the devils on his back in a huge second half. Very interesting prelim ahead

[downtheline]

Lofty by 4-5 goals. They were good last week in a belter of a game

[Toto]

Nairne win by 5 or so goal. Dominated after half time and looked like they had a few back from injury. Repeat of last years GF and last 2 games between them less than a goal.

[wazzal77]

Nairne to go back to back. Have momentum and work hard. Magpies typically do just enough to win and were poor against Onkas and stopped flat in the last part of the final term in 2nd semi. They wont be able to hold Nairne back.

[downtheline]

It promises to be a really tight contest. Hahndorf will not want to drop another GF and Nairne are playing some great footy. I think Hahndorf will bet the win under 10 points

[Dutchy]

Strange place to hold the GF in my opinion, with half the oval slopping away from the ground its not going to be the easiest to get a good position, especially with 6 of the 9 clubs represented across the day.

Or is it just a big FU to the summit?

[saintal]

Strange place to hold the GF in my opinion, with half the oval slopping away from the ground its not going to be the easiest to get a good position, especially with 6 of the 9 clubs represented across the day.

Or is it just a big FU to the summit?

Agreed. Took my 6yo to the GF at Lobey last year and it was great/easy, especially with a kid. Not sure I'll bother this time around.

Think I read in The Courier it's the first time the GF has been held at MB, so yes interesting timing in light of the Summit situation.

[Cougar]

Strange place to hold the GF in my opinion, with half the oval slopping away from the ground its not going to be the easiest to get a good position, especially with 6 of the 9 clubs represented across the day.

Or is it just a big FU to the summit?

Agreed. Took my 6yo to the GF at Lobey last year and it was great/easy, especially with a kid. Not sure I'll bother this time around.

Think I read in The Courier it's the first time the GF has been held at MB, so yes interesting timing in light of the Summit situation.

Interesting choice indeed. Lobey arguably the best of the Central Div bunch. Maccy did a good job with the Div 2 GF, but they have more room, space and better surface than Mount Barker. Definitely "We don't need the Summit call" from the HFL.

[cracka]

Agree with Lobethal oval being the best GF venue with the grass hill around the eastern side. The atmosphere if you're playing is awesome.
Only ever played at the old Kersbrook oval but have seen the new one & that looks like it would be a great venue too

[Barkeroo]

Yeah Lobethal is an awesome venue for the Grand Final. By far the best in Division one venue for the GF, surface was looking a little worse for wear last time I went past a few weeks ago which was a little odd as it's normally great.