Lions and Central Augusta have faced off during the season three times with Lions victorious on all three occasions by an average score of 40 points.
However a new season now begins as the Premiers of 2009 Central Augusta at fourth spot play against Lions who were predicted in the preseason to take the reins atop the minor round ladder, but with a couple of slip ups along the way , they now have a fight on their hands in the elimination final.
Central Augusta boasts a formidable line-up that hasn’t got the job done; even finishing fourth, it was a massive struggle, one that they didn’t earn with South Augusta’ massive defeat of Solom-ontown in the final minor round getting them over the line - but Central have made it to the final four and now it’s all even-steven as they try to reproduce the 2009 result with three wins in a row to go.
Lions main areas where they appeared to lose their way was mostly to do with the lack of players available since the midseason break with seven experienced players missing on regular rotation through injury or work but also being a very young team which with that comes inexperience. Rumours of discontent have also placed a dampener on things resulting with supporters viewing lacklustre efforts on field and at times the wheels falling off resulting with some close losses that probably should have been victories and a higher ladder finish.
What may come of this Elimination Final is too difficult to predict with both teams season performances being a little underwhelming for both coaches who know they each boast some of the best talent in the Spencer Gulf Football League.
Lions have established an energetic foundation of young players who will take them forward into many a finals series, however with the pressures of winning the Lions first ever Premiership be too much for adolescent shoulders to bear?
Dean Steele has had a fantastic season, polling well in the Madigan Medal, playing at representative levels and arguably the best backline player in the league.
Tyson Horsnell has always been dangerous around goal however this season saw a change of roles from a roving forward pocket to a one man demolition of backlines playing as full forward. Coming second in the Goal Kicking award and averaging over four goals a game. At the opposite end of the ground and possibly the best full back of 2010 is Daniel Pine, his work ethic and discipline are qualities difficult to find at such a young age holding a huge key position against experienced players in other teams playing at Full Forward.
Clinton O’Connor a workman with great speed and great football smarts.
Clinton rarely stops running and can often be seen midway through a game vomiting on field as he runs his body to the ground week in and week out.
Central have the most experience of all the teams currently running around having won the 2009 Premiership, but after recruiting what was thought to be an unstoppable team for the Premiership defence, their season came undone with their first win not registered until Round 9.
Mark Fuller is Centrals key to getting the team running as he works tirelessly around the ground challenging at just about every ruck dual.
Fuller loves the pressure of finals football having best chosen best on ground in the 2009 Grand Final, he will look to emulate that effort.
Nick Callary has been in outstanding form all season however overlooked in the medal count polling just one best on ground.
Callary is in the engine room constantly in the middle of the pack claiming possession of the ball and trying to move the ball forward.
Ryan Morris stands in at Full Forward averaging over two goals a game and has kicked the third most amounts of goals in the league.
However having kicked just five goals in total for the season against the Lions, he will need to get the scoreboard ticking over to assist in victory.
Patrick Byron-Boles is one of a just 31 league players and the only Central Augusta player to take to the field in every game of 2010.
Byron-Boles has won five best on ground performances and featured in the list of best players in more than half of the season’s games.
I think the result is going to be closer than what the seasons averages have been, but key 2010 experienced players are returning from injury, work or rest in round 18, Lions will prove to be too quick, fit and smart to let this one slip in front of a home crowd and in front of their seconds and thirds who are too playing on the day for chances to advance into the Grand Final.
– Thomas Maywald
SEMI-FINALS...This weekend’s semi-final should be nothing less than brilliant football. Lions and Central will face-off to try to progress to the grand final. Shaun Edwards, captain Brodie Lavis and coach Adrian ‘Duck’ Davies, all pictured together, have seen Lions go from strength to strength this season.
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