By David Nagel
THE beaten grand finalist of the last two seasons, Cardinia, have been cruising along in second gear since Christmas, but will need to find full-throttle in a hurry if it’s to progress past the visiting Tooradin in this weekend’s cut-throat semi-final.
Despite racking up the wins and finishing in second place the Bulls haven’t been their usual dominant self in recent times but are sure to lift a cog at their favourite time of year.
If premierships were handed to teams who deserve it most then the Bulls would be over the line this season. Silverware in 2008/09 has been followed by two unsuccessful grand final appearances against Kooweerup and Beaconsfield as the Bulls have failed to convert their dominance into the ultimate success.
The Bulls might deserve another shot at glory but they’re going to have to earn it against the high-flying Seagulls who have only had their wings clipped once since the mid-season break. That loss came in a contender for match of the year against Pakenham in round 10 but since then the Seagulls have been almost faultless.
They gained enormous confidence from a finals type victory over Kooweerup in round 11 then had two soft kills in rounds 12 and 13 against Beaconsfield and Officer. The Seagulls then matched motors with the Bulls in the last round of the season before rain intervened on day two, leaving neither team with a physcological advantage.
Both teams possess strengths that are the envy of their opposition, especially with the ball.
With 35 wickets to his name, Tooradin has the number one wicket taker in the competition in gun all-rounder Callum O’Hare. The blonde bomber with the sun-screen stands at well over six-foot-tall and, although not lightning quick, sends the pill down with accuracy and at an awkward angle that takes a bit of getting used to.
On eight occasions this season O’Hare has checked in with three or more wickets, clearly indicating he poses a massive threat to the home side this weekend. Although physically intimidating he’s also as tough as nails upstairs and expects to win every battle he steps into. Belief could be his biggest weapon this weekend.
O’Hare’s main support has come from the gentle medium pace of skipper Aaron Avery while the return in round 10 of Ash Adams has added a hard edge to the Seagulls attack. Speed-merchant Lukas Hoogenboom’s season of just 11 wickets might seem disappointing on the surface but remember he missed five matches with a side-strain early in the season. He could be only one or two fiery spells away from having a season to remember.
With due respect to Brenton Adams, the Seagulls lack a quality slow bowling option and it’s in this department where Cardinia have all other finals contenders well and truly covered.
The “Ace of Slow Pace” Dwayne Doig continues to astound with his consistency over many seasons and it’s his mastery of flighting a cricket ball that’s the key to his success. On so many occasions a ball that seems destined to be a full-toss will suddenly dip and land on a perfect length, mesmerising batsmen along the way.
In cricket, it’s the purest form of deception and a 33 wicket season for Doig once again proves he’s the master of his craft.
While Doig’s figures stand head and shoulders above his team mates he couldn’t do what he does without their help. The Bulls game plan is based on building pressure from both ends and Neil Barfuss, Craig Boswell, Dean Henwood, Danny Diwell and Ben Darose have all joined Doig in successful partnerships at different times during the season.
The key moment of this match will be when the Cardinia openers, the hard hitting Barfuss and skipper Mark Cooper, take on O’Hare, Hoogenboom and Co. Sparks will fly either way.
Barfuss was dynamite earlier in the season and has kept up a high level with three half centuries since the main break while, after a slow start, Cooper has built nicely into his work. The Bulls batting rudder has made 313 runs at a tick over 52 in the second half of the season.
Both players will be looking for big finals series after failing on the big stage last year. Cooper made 3 and 0 in the Bulls’ finals campaign while Barfuss wasn’t much better with 17 and 4. Expect big things from the duo this weekend.
Cardinia have experience through the middle-order with the WGCA’s best big-game player in Ben Darose while his brother Troy and Diwell provide further back-up. Keeper Luke Turner and Doig have also made crucial finals runs in the past.
Tooradin’s batting will revolve around it’s elegant opener Tom Hussey and number three O’Hare. The two will have their patience tested by Doig’s precision but have the technique and concentration to at least square that battle. Hussey has made eight scores of 40 or more, a pass mark for a valuable innings, to be the most consistent batsman in the competition this season.
Opener Brenton Adams and Avery have been inconsistent while Jay Wilson and Brad Sauer are super-aggressive but you never know what you’re going to get. Sauer’s scorecard since round four reads 0, 61, 8, 115, 2, 58, 3, 66 and 4. Life is certainly like a box of chocolates.
So who’s going to win?
Tooradin have talent and youth on its side and it’s almost inevitable that it will take over the number one ranking at some stage in the near future if it can keep this list together.
Their passion and enthusiasm is superior to any other team we’ve seen this season, they just want it so bad the Seagulls.
But they’re going to have to wait. Cardinia have the players to win the key moments and will progress through to its fourth grand final in as many seasons.
