Roo wins medal

by LES EVERETT

IT was just as we'd predictied.

Wanneroo Kingsway's Brad Trpchev was presented with the 2002 Bowden Medal at a function at the Gosnells Hotel on Tuesday night.

Trpchev is the complete package - he runs hard, is a strong over head mark and is capable of kicking bags of goals. This year has been his most consistent season.

Runner up was Kenwick's Rob Stephan while another Roo David McCullough finished third.

Some times coaches of teams on a winning streak secretly hope for a loss to put a bit of normality into a season. Such thoughts have long since vanished from Garry Fuller's mind - his undefeated Lions are through to a grand final. In difficult conditions at Gosnells Oval last week Thornlie took advantage of Kenwick's inaccuracy in the second quarter to gain a handy half time break and went on to win by 22 points. After an even first quarter the Royals kicked 0.9 in the second to tip the game slightly in favour of the Lions who then finished slightly the stronger in a tight second half.

Daniel Niciejeswki, Peter Hare, Adam Niciejeswki and Daryl Holmes, who kicked three goals, were valuable players for Thornlie. Brad Smith, Des Milnes and Dwayne Cook, who kicked two goals, were the best for the Royals.

Thornlie has earned a week's rest while Kenwick will line up for a rematch with Wanneroo Kingsway

Wanneroo Kingsway didn't exactly power away with last week's first semi final but gradually put paid to Maddington's chances after an even first quarter. A four goal to one second quarter laid the foundation for the 30 point win by the Roos and they were in total control in the last term when the Bulls failed to score.

Captain Gavin Willey, in-form Matt Babich and Jason McMahon were good players for the Roos while Bowden Medallist Brad Trpchev had another good game kicking two goals. Geoff Hales kicked three of Maddington's five goals and David Parkin, Benn Henshall and Norm Wilkinson were the best of the Bulls.

That's it for Maddington while the Roos have earned another crack at the Royals.

Sister Kates put the seal on a remarkable season with a 33 point win over Southern River in the Saturday Football League preliminary final. Kates led at every change and pulled away despite inaccuracy in the last quarter when they scored 2.7 to 0.1.

Brian Williams kicked five goals and Derek Derschow three for Sister Kates and Gordan Chadd and Tyron Smith also played well. Chris Walker kicked four goals for the Falcons and John Dorazio, Brett Cook and Adam Bell were excellent players.

This year's Saturday league grand final will be the fourth in row for Roleystone and first not to include Kenwick since 1994 when Thornlie beat Roleystone. The newcomer this year is new club Sister Kates who began the season with two losses but finished in style with 11 wins from their last 13 games.

The Tigers will go into the game as favourites on the strength of a 29 point win over Sister Kates last time the teams met in round 11 and because they'll take a seven game winning streak into the grand final. Roleystone has suffered just two losses in 2002 while Sister Kates have been defeated eight times.

Last year's premiers have good goal scoring avenues in Mark Scott and Jason Hammond and will be looking to Darryl Kipping, Shannon Miller and Warren DeRoost to continue their good finals form and for Simon Adamkiewicz, Nigel Uchtmann and Curtis Campbell to provide plenty of drive.

Sister Kates have a number of players capable of scoring goals including the competition's top scorer Derek Derschow; Brian Williams, who snared five in last week's preliminary final, and the in-form Joshua Farmer. Big man Nik Woods will be an important player in the grand final as will Gordan Chadd.

It all adds up to an excellent encounter.

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