ANDREW MOIR: Sam, if you were to tag one Albury player, who would it be and why?
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SAM CARPENTER: It will be a group effort from the Wangaratta midfield to be accountable at stoppages and when Albury has the ball. The Pies have to run hard into defence and run with Albury. I would use a defensive forward on their most dangerous back. which is Dean Polo. The way he uses the ball, that’s where all Albury’s run starts. Brayden O’Hara is also someone that Wangaratta will put a heap of time into as he doesn’t need much space at all to be very damaging. If he gets the ball forward of centre, it will end up being a mark inside forward 50, if he doesn’t break the lines and finish it himself.
AM: Which three Albury defenders will play on Michael Newton, Josh Porter and Tom Whittlesea?
SC: I think the Tigers will go with Brady Morton on Porter, Simon Thomas on Newton and Shaun Daly on Whittlesea. They need to read the play as the footy is coming in and help each other out and be prepared to leave your man and intercept, which Polo and Daly are very good at.
AM: Will Newton need to produce a Brendan Fevola-like display?
SC: I think Wangaratta need to turn it into a high-pressured 12-goal type of game. The Pies can win but not if this game turns into a shootout so they will be looking for an even contribution with their goals. If they rely on Newton to kick 60 per cent or more of the goals, they become too predictable and will be in trouble. Coach Dean Stone will have good defensive set-ups and plans in place, as he has done in the last two games. It was 10 goals to seven, against Wangaratta, in round 10 and 14 to 13 in the second semi. The Pies have shown they can keep this great Albury side to low scores so why can’t they do it again?
AM: What is the Pies’ back-up plan if Josh Mellington starts to dominate Michael Bordignon?
SC: Pressure around the ball and the kicker is paramount. The Pies’ plan is to allow their backs the opportunity to peel off and be third man in. Mellington kicked six in the semi and Dean Stone was strong post-game in saying he had no intentions at all on changing the match-up. If he does need a rotation, Dylan Van Berlo can swing down at times.
AM: Who wins and why?
SC: I am sure 90 per cent of the league, including myself, will be in Wangaratta’s corner, but I believe Albury will be too strong and damaging around the stoppages and middle of the ground.
