Finals time in the Ong

by ZAPPA

THE Ongerup Football Association finals begin this Saturday with the big clash between Ongerup and Newdegate at the Borden Sports Ground.

Both sides have finished in the lower rungs of the ladder in recent years and and a tight match is expected with both sides winning at home in their two clashes this season.

Ongerup had their chances to finish second on the table behind the powerful and undefeated Boxwood Hills, but lost to Newdegate two weeks ago.

This game could easily be the game of the finals with little separating both sides. Ongerup will be led by playing coach Rob Miniter, who along with other forwards Phil Quartermaine and Jamie Bolton are capable of kicking a winning score.

Ongerup have kicked big scores all season, but their achillies heel is their defence who have also allowed big scores to be kicked against them.

Newdegate will be led by playing coach Ian Lloyd, who is in his second season back after a stint at West Perth. Ongerup will need to close Lloyd down as his hard running sets Newdegate up. Along with experienced players Darren Ashton, Gavin Boyce, Troy Newton and Simon Cugley the young Ongerup players will need to be on their mettle.

The ruck clash will be a highlight with Lance Hart (Ongerup) and Charlie Newman (Newdegate) right up there as the best ruckman in the league. First possession out of the centre will be all important with Ongerup's brilliant Brendan O'Neill needing to be contained. This job should go to carnival team representitive David Barr.

When trying to find the winner, some of the likely clashes make this a game hard to select the winner. Ongerup also have experienced campaigners James Wynne, the Penny brothers Chris, Mick and Dave, while Newdegate have Aaron Hall, Mike Hams and Adam Whiteside all in good form.

In a game which is looking as though it will be the tighest and one of the best matches played in the OFA since Boxwood beat Jerramungrup by five points in the grand final of 2002, maybe Newdegate will slip over the line by one point.

Last Sunday the Ganzer Medal count was held with Boxwood Hills' Trevor Harris the winner with 27 votes over Ian Lloyd 23 votes. The win was the second for Harris after winning in 2002.

The OFA leading goalkicker was Jarrod King from Boxwood Hills with 80 goals from 14 matches.

The leading umpire award went to Craig Morrison, with Roy Dolan the leading goal umpire.

2004 Ganzer Medal winner Trevor Harris with Colin Ganzer.

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