WEEK two of the finals promises two great games with Busselton taking on Eaton in the first semi final while South Bunbury and Bunbury will play off in a derby second semi final.
Busselton will still be elated with their overtime victory against Carey Park last week but they will need to be 100 per cent focused on Eaton when the time comes this week.
The arrival of finals seems to have narrowed the gap between these two sides, but Busselton still has a way to go before they can say they’re on the same level as the Boomers.
Eaton will go into this clash as favourites and rightfully so.
They’re run and carry matches that of the Magpies and their power positions are more talented.
But if Busselton can dig deep and match their own performance from last week they are beyond just being an upset chance.
Their fitness is impeccable allowing them to run out four quarters (and overtime) with ease.
The thing that surprised me the most about Busselton’s win last week was the play of their backline.
Led by Lance Lucas the Magpies put a stop to the dangers of the Carey Park forward line.
But they will need to go an extra step further this week to halt Eaton’s goal kickers.
Ex-Magpie Leigh Kelly will come up against his former team and Busselton will be familiar with his ability to take big marks in the forward 50.
But it’s hard to keep both eyes fixed on Kelly when Jake Ferrier is also present.
Then on the ground you have to keep the ball away from Karl Collard who showed his blistering pace in last week's match against Bunbury.
This leaves a lot on the shoulders of Busselton’s midfielders.
Daniel McGinlay, Damien Lee, Jordan Eastwell and Kyle Hams put forth great performances last week and will need to do the same against the Boomers.
Keeping the ball out of the hands of Chris Atthowe, Michael Battaglia, Josh Bowe and Jye Cormack is a tough task, but that’s where victory begins for Busselton.
Busselton is a chance here, but it just seems like too much of an uphill battle.
Prediction: Eaton Boomers by 26 points.
Bunbury progressed to a second-chance match with a win over Eaton last Sunday.
No doubt playing for a spot in the grand final and a week off is a positive for Bunbury, but having to go through South Bunbury won’t be easy.
Now I’m not usually one to jump aboard bandwagons, but it’s hard not to get a seat on South Bunbury’s.
They went untouched in their last 11 matches of the regular season and it’s hard to find any weakness in their line-up.
I’ve tried time and time again to find a position on the ground where they lack either skill, physicality, size or speed and I’ve come up short every time.
Their midfield is quick and has pin point accuracy by foot, their forward line can kick both tall and small goals and their backline is as solid as a rock.
This by no means takes Bunbury out of the equation, but it’s hard to envisage a Bulldogs victory.
The Bulldogs need to match the pace of South Bunbury’s middle brigade to have any chance of an upset.
Playing to their strengths is the key for Bunbury, and that means getting the ball forward to Aidan Parker and Marc Re.
If those two can dominate their forward 50 and kick bags then Bunbury is every chance.
It will be interesting to see if Parker finds himself up against South Bunbury’s Adam Hunter at any stage of the game.
I cannot imagine a better battle between two players in the South West Football League than that one.
Interestingly a lot falls on the captains in this game, for both their leadership and playing ability.
South Bunbury’s Matt Giacci and Bunbury’s Jesse Gribble will both be required to play large parts in this game for their side to gain a win.
It’s shaping up to be a brilliant contest, but until a team shows me otherwise, I’m holding onto my seat on the South Bunbury bandwagon.
Maybe the Bulldogs can be that team?
Prediction: South Bunbury by 16 points.
