The Friday night match was a little less exciting than Thursday - ex-Magician old man Zorko (85) showed up and did enough to the Wanderers, however Naicos (92) and Howe (52) got their TOG heavily managed. Zac Bailey (94) had another consistent return albeit a little underwhelming in a 25 goal performance. Houston (78) was very close to getting a call up off the bench but the decision has been made to roll the dice. Swadling (109) had another stellar game, the coach really did want to give him an opportunity in the GF but was perhaps just a little scared - many more years ahead for Sam though. The Saturday matches should also prove very interesting starting with the Blues vs Dockers - many big names including Walsh, Brayshaw, Young going against Bolton and Wilson.
Wanderers have bounced back with Walsh (122) and Brayshaw (113) topping the ton, plus a solid Young (82) score. The Magicians could only counter from a pair of 94's from Shai Bolton and Billy Wilson. Progressive scores Wanders 825/8 leading the Magicians 605/6. Wanderers have Lever, Chandler & Khamis against the Magicians Dale & Fitzgerald this afternoon.
Chandler's ton last week got him the call up over Curnow for sheezels injury. Hoping that move doesn't cost us the 4peat with underwhelming lever on 41 and chandler 60 but after a season of depth as D9 on the depth chart buku Khamis repaid the faith in his debut game in a grand final with a welcome 72 . Magicians Fitzgerald 53 and Dale 68keeping it a very close GF Midway through the 4th quarter of the match. Let's see what junk time produces
Final scores from the Melbourne & Dogs match see Chandler (86), Khamis (81) and Lever (46) get added to the Wanderers tally, and Dale (84) and Fitzgerald (62) for the Magicians. Lost almost 50 points to Swadling so that is definitely a dagger, going to need some tons from here. Wanderers 1038/11 leading Magicians 751/8. Wanderers only have Nank playing tonight and the Magicians are rolling Ash, Zuthrie, Sam Berry and Jack Ross which should give us both 12 played leading into the final Sunday showdown.
The Saturday night scores are in and Nank (144) has taken a favourable matchup straight to bank to put the Wanderers in the definitive lead. The Four Horseman Magicians all did their jobs scoring at or slightly above their average, but are still looking for that spike score to get us back into the game. Ross (104) & Zuthrie (82) in the first, and Ash (108) & Berry (98) in the second. Wanderers 1182/12 leading Magicians 1143/12. The Wanderers still have LDU, Simpkin and Curtis to play while the Magicians have Xerri, Rowbottom and Harley Reid. The Magicians hold the average advantage of the trio head to head by 15, but that won't be enough to make up the current deficit of 40. By Sunday afternoon all players will have played excluding Harley Reid, so we will know the number he has to chase down solo in the final match of the season.