Whitford Win Sets up Crucial Grudge Match
08 Aug, 2011
WHITFORD have kept their finals hopes alive with a hard-fought upset win over ladder leaders Mt Lawley, 12.5 (77) to 11.9 (75) at Hamer Park on the weekend.
The win, Whitford’s second in a row, keeps the Warriors in fifth spot on the WA Amateur Football League A Grade ladder and sets up a crucial grudge match against rivals North Beach this Saturday.
Whitford have won three out of the past four matches to power into finals contention after a lackluster start to the season, and will be hoping to use all the momentum they have gained over the past month to topple third placed North Beach.
North Beach have also hit form at the right time of the year and will be hungry to secure a top two place and a home final in the chase for their eight consecutive A Grade premiership.
Their 46 point win over Fremantle C.B.C keeps them in touch with second placed University who sit half a game above them with only two matches remaining.
The match this Saturday at MacDonald Reserve will be the second time last years Grand Finalists have met this season, North Beach earning the points in the previous encounter with forward Ben Wilson leading the way up forward booting five goals.
Trent Batterham was a shining light for Whitford that day with four goals and showing the form that saw him earn selection in the West Coast Eagles State Amateur Under 23’s squad that competed at this years’ National Championship.
Whitford will need to quell the influence of North Beach’s star trio of Cale Potts, Joe Boys and Josh Stott to be any chance, the trio all earning selection in the All-Australian side after their performances at the National Championships.
The match kicks off at 2:30pm following the Reserves at 12:35pm and Colts at 10:45am.
