Beaconsfield’s Luke Bee-Hugo was named his side’s best player in Saturday’s win over Keysborough. Bee-Hugo has been solid in defence all year but kicked two goals on the weekend and his versatility will be a concern for Doveton when the two clash in the match of the day on Saturday. 85593 Picture: Jarrod Potter
By DAVID NAGEL
HOME and away football just doesn’t get any bigger or more important than this week’s battle for a finals’ position between Beaconsfield and Doveton in the last senior game to be played at Perc Allison Oval.
That in itself will stir the emotions as a ground that dates back to Saturday 8 May 1948; will see its last action in front of past players and champions of the club. Add to that Doveton’s Hall of Fame Dinner on Saturday night and you’ve got an emotional back-drop and mix that is rare in the extreme.
To top things off, the winner almost certainly plays finals and the loser will use September to remember a season of missed opportunities.
“We have to win, it’s as simple as that,” Beaconsfield skipper Daniel Mislicki said on Sunday.
“It’s a massive day for the club, you know with the ground and the past players being there, but we just need the four points.”
Beaconsfield tuned up for the big clash with an 87-point thumping of Keysborough while the Doves were less impressive in their 19-point win over ROC. However, you can throw the form-guide out the window this week as both sides are capable of the magnificent when switched on or the deplorable when switched off.
How ironic that on such a big day for both clubs that some champions of the modern game that will have a huge bearing on the result.
Kris Fletcher, Chris Kelf, Mislicki and Robbie Taylor are all Team of the Decade players for the Eagles while Brad Downe, Ryan Hendy and Clint Wilson were part of 55 original inductees into the Doves Hall of Fame. All these players have delivered blood, sweat and tears for their clubs and won’t go down without a fight.
The fifth placed Eagles go in as favourites despite the fourth placed Doves having won two more games for the season, but it really is a case of who turns up to play.
The Eagles would seem to be more consistent while the Doves have X-factor with Hendy and Nathan Wilson up forward.
Whatever happens, it will a day to remember, with a magnificent atmosphere making this clash a country footy classic.
Eagles will walk off Perc Allison for the last time as winners and book their place in the club’s long and proud history.
