Saints and Crocs to battle for last 2023/24 TIO NTFL Grand Final spot

Photo by Patch Clapp | AFLNT Media

In a match up that many people predicted to be the grand final, it will instead arrive on week early when St Marys face Southern Districts in tomorrow’s preliminary final.

Southern Districts will be full of momentum after two commanding wins so far this finals series over PINT and Waratah. The Saints will also be confident heading into the contest after finishing on top of the ladder and already recording two wins against the Crocs so far this season.

The Crocs were at their best last weekend in the 52-point win over Waratah with Matt Johnston and Jed Anderson finding plenty of the footy. Mitch Burgess and Jordyn Cotter were also among the Crocs’ better players, continuing their drive from the back half.

It was a patchy game by St Marys last weekend. Jackson Calder produced a dominant second quarter clunking marks and booting four goals, showing that he is still a big game player. The star forward looks in strong form and Districts defenders will certainly have their work cut out trying to curtail his impact on the game.

At the other end of the ground, Districts will be expecting another big performance from ex-AFL player Jarrod Brander, who booted five goals in a strong performance against Waratah.

Dylan Landt copped a hard tag for the second consecutive game, so it will be interesting to see whether Districts send someone to mind the superstar midfielder. Last year, that person was veteran Dean Staunton, who did a magnificent job, so he could again be tasked with a negating job. After averaging over 30 disposals across the NTFL season,

Landt has posted returns on 10 disposals and 17 in his past two games, so the Nichols Medal favourite will be looking for a big performance tomorrow.

St Marys have won both games against Southern Districts this season, however both have been close encounters – a 12-point win in Round 3 followed by a nine-point victory in wet conditions straight after the Christmas break.

It is a tantalising midfield battle between Anderson, Johnston and WAFL champion Jye Bolton for the Crocs, and St Marys’ on-ball brigade featuring Landt, Nate Paredes and the severely underrated Seth Harris. The Crocs have the advantage with the physicality and contested ball situation, but the run and spread of the Saints midfield could be an advantage on the big ground that is TIO Stadium.

It should be a magnificent contest.

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