Premier League Prelim Finals – Match of the Round Previews

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Prelim Finals – Match of the Round Previews
 
Preview by Bevan Jones

Premier League Women – Seacliff v Adelaide – Sunday 10 September

The stage is set for a thrilling showdown as The Seacliff Tigers and Adelaide Peas prepare to face off in the Women's Preliminary Final, a clash that will determine which team earns the right to advance to take on Port Adelaide in the Grand Final in a fortnight.

Despite a hiccup last week where they went down 3-1 against Port Adelaide in a clash involving last year’s grand finalists, The Tigers have had a great season and earnt a second chance with a second-place finish in the minor round and an impressive record of 16 wins, two draws and three losses.

Adelaide will be on a high this week after their thrilling victory over Adelaide University last week, however they had to do it the hard way, coming from 1-0 down in the last quarter to equalise and send the game to a shootout. The Peas eventually winning the game 3-2.

The Peas and Tigers last met in round 11 and on that occasion, it was a big 6-1 victory by Seacliff.

Peas coach Brodie Gleeson said they were looking forward to the challenge of taking on the Tigers.

“Facing Seacliff in the Preliminary Final is an exciting challenge. They are a well-structured and disciplined group, and it’s important to respect Seacliff, whilst being confident in our own ability and processes,” Gleeson said.

“Coming off a tense Elimination Final that saw us come back from a goal down in the fourth quarter to equalise and win in sudden death shoot-outs has provided us with confidence that we are always in the match regardless of the score or situation.

“In our previous encounters with Seacliff this season, we've had our ups and downs. However, we've learned valuable lessons from each of those matches, and the way we finished off the last round of the season was a testament to the progress we've made.

“We're looking forward to a competitive and exciting game, we will focus on playing our hockey to the best of our ability to give us the best chance to secure the win.”

Seacliff coach Matt Morton said he expected a fierce contest against Adelaide on Sunday.

“We are very excited about this week, with a Grand Final spot on the line both teams will be throwing everything at it,” Morton said.

“Adelaide will be coming into the game full of confidence after their win last week, it is going to be a really good contest that we are really looking forward to.

“There’s some small things we’d like to tidy up as a group but there are lots of positives to take out of last week.

“We’ve got experience in big finals and the girls have done a good job in the last few years in playing in some grand finals and they know what it takes to win but what it’s like to lose and so do Adelaide.”

Prediction: In closing, whilst the Tigers had a huge win last time they met I don’t feel as though it will be so one sided this time round. Tigers to win 3-2.

Premier League Men – Adelaide v North East – Sunday 10 September

The stakes are huge when the North East Warriors take on the Adelaide Peas with the prize for the winner a spot in the Grand Final and for the loser it’s curtains for season 2023.

The Peas finished second in the minor round with 15 wins, three draws and three losses which earns them a second chance which has come in handy after a 3-0 loss last week against Seacliff.

The Warriors who finished the season in fourth place with 10 wins, four draws and seven losses will be full of confidence after they upset last year’s premiers Port Adelaide 4-3 last week to knock them out of the finals race.

This game finished in a shootout with North East winning 4-3.

Peas coach Shaun Dawson said the keys for beating North East were to apply some early scoreboard pressure and deny their counterattack opportunities.

Dawson said the Warriors were a well-structured team, who will provide a good contest for the final spot in the Grand Final.

Warriors coach Jordan Glover said Adelaide had serious attacking threats, play well on transition and challenge teams with a variety of defensive structures.

He said they would look to build on their win last week and will focus on defending as a unit and use their strengths across the ground to control the game.

Prediction: The Warriors and Peas last encounter in round 16 ended in a 1-1 finish and this one should be another thrilling clash with both teams throwing everything on the line.
With a spot in the grand finale on the line, expect an electrifying contest between two great sides that could go either way but I feel as though the Peas just have a little too much class for North East and will win 2-1.

This week’s Matches of the Round are LIVE on LiveHockey - https://livehockey.com.au