Venue: North Port Oval, Port Melbourne
Conditions: Sunny, 2-3 goal wind favouring one end
In action:
- Scott McMahon (15 disposals)
- Tim McGenniss (15 disposals, held Liam Anthony to 6 second half disposals)
- Kieran Harper (7 disposals, left the field injured)
NMFC.com.au's best: Scott McMahon
Matchups:
- Tim McGenniss v Liam Anthony
- Scott McMahon v Bryce Curnow
What the coach said (John Lamont)
Quarter-time: "For Christ’s sake, we are in a final! Play the way you are instructed! And what’s this going slow with the ball? Let’s take the simple targets.
"We are in a final, you don’t need reminding, you can’t dish that shit up. Get some hydration into you, bunch up your courage and get your head organised."
Three quarter-time: "This is your team. For Christ’s Sake, get your head on a swivel. What you see, you communicate to your team-mates.
"If you deviate from what we’re talking about, the team suffers. When the whips start cracking you make sure you’re in there."
Points of interest
1. Tim McGenniss had the task of stopping Liam Anthony. In the first half it appeared beyond the tagger, but after the long break he rebounded superbly.
Anthony had 17 disposals in the first half, but only 6 thereafter as McGenniss upped his game.
"It was very impressive from Tim after half-time.When you’re playing a role like that, your concentration has to be through the roof. He was able to do that for long periods and shut LA (Anthony) down.
"He’s actually got the footy himself with 11 in the second half. It’s a fantastic result from him." - Senior Development Coach Gavin Brown
2. Scott McMahon again stood tall down back for the Tigers, especially in the last term. When North Ballarat was pushing with everything it had, the veteran provided a cool head.
"When it mattered, he was rock solid.
"He got tagged and he was the Rock of Gibraltar down there. He gave the side leadership, stability and direction, which was great in the last quarter."
3. Kieran Harper again tweaked his troublesome ankle. After suffering a kick to the area, he didn’t re-emerge from the three quarter-time huddle, spending the rest of the game on the bench.
"It’s the same ankle he hurt a couple of weeks ago. After he got the kick to it, he couldn’t hold any weight through it.
"He’ll probably be battling to come up next week."
4. Taylor Hine was unable to take his place in the lineup, suffering from foot soreness.
With the area such a delicate one, there was going to be absolutely no risks taken with the defender.
Most likely call-up: Scott McMahon
Next week: Semi Final v Williamstown – Sunday 2:10pm at North Port Oval
