VPL Finals Week One: Green Gully Cavaliers

This weekend Green Gully Cavaliers take on Oakleigh Cannons in what shapes up to be a ripping Victorian Premier League Qualifying final on Sunday 5pm at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex.

Read the Oakleigh Cannons preview here.

Green Gully of course are no stranger to finals football having won the past two VPL Grand Finals; both times coming from the chasing pack and peaking at the right time.

Super Coach Ian Dobson has this side again firing after their 3-0 win over fellow finalist Northcote in the last round, Oakleigh though loom as a tougher prospect after dominating the league along with Dandenong all year.

Gully had been without a goal in the previous three VPL outings so the score sheet against Northcote couldn't have come at a better time for the Cavaliers.

The win, and Oakleigh's defeat of Bentleigh Greens, lifted Gully into third spot on the final day meaning they will have the double chance should they lose and a possible direct entry into another Grand Final should they win and then manage to upset the awaiting Dandenong Thunder in the Major Semi Final the following week.

With the amount of post-season experience Green Gully possess it is hard to pick a player to watch in this finals series.

VPL Gold Medal winner Graham Hockless is always fantastic to watch, Rodrigo Vargas will bring his vast experience to the defence whilst his brother Andy (currently suspended) will bring his firebrand spirit.

Chamionship collecting 'keeper Nikola Roganovic will be the coolest one out there followed by the old head of leader Jeff Fleming. The goals will come from Osagie Ederer and Brian Venega who will be ably supported by Jayson Hayne, Mile Medjedovic and Jonathan Munoz.

Having said all that my player to keep an eye on is the ever reliable Matthew 'Colonel' Sanders who always seems to get the job done when required with an important goal here and there off the bench.

My prediction is while Oakleigh have had the slightly better season, Green Gully have the edge when it comes to big game finals experience. Oakleigh will be desperate to shake the 'Chokeleigh' tag, maybe so much so that it will go against them. Green Gully to win 2-0.

Green Gully have the players to keep the Cannons' dangermen Ricky Diaco, Hayden Doyle and Jesse Krencevic in check.

Team previews for the Elimination Final: Bentleigh Greens v Northcote City.