Boxwood Hill chase three-peat in spicy Ongerup Football Association grand final with Gnowangerup

Boxwood Hill coach Rick Carpenter believes Gnowangerup will go into this Saturday’s Ongerup Football Association league grand final as the favourites. Boxwood are chasing their third straight premiership but will go into the clash without star Isaac Baum, while prolific ball winner George Bungey is also in serious doubt for the decider. Baum broke his leg in their second semifinal win and Bungey dislocated his shoulder. The two best teams in the competition this season will meet again at Gnowangerup, and despite Boxwood winning the second semifinal a fortnight ago to progress straight into Saturday’s decider, Carpenter believes they are the underdogs. “(Gnowangerup) go in as favourites in my opinion,” Carpenter said. “They have been the best team all year despite us beating them in the second semi. “They were terrific on the weekend and looked very sharp. It’s going to be a tough and hard game of footy. “It will be two good sides both cracking in.” Star ruckman Jeremy Walker, brothers Tom and Nic Bertola, Michael Swarbrick and Matt Campbell are all key players for Boxwood in their bid for a three-peat. “We had a really good win in the second semi but on Saturday it’s a new day and new story,” Carpenter said. “It will be a big challenge to knock them off at home. We will give it everything we have.” Gnowangerup went through the home and away season undefeated and defeated Boxwood by 25 points in round four. However, Boxwood responded in the second semifinal and prevailed by 19 points. The Bulldogs will be out to win their second grand final against Boxwood in four years after their 2017 triumph. Coach Roy Addis said the grand final promised to be a beauty. “I think it is going to be a really close and tough contest,” he said. “It will be the two best sides all year going at it and we are evenly matched across the field. “It’s going to be an exciting game for supporters from both clubs. “I think whoever uses the ball the cleanest and runs out the game will win.” Former Geelong utility Timm House will need to fire for the Bulldogs if they are to end Boxwood’s run, while Fraser House, Hamish Jannings and Scott Anderson will also be important through the middle. “It’s fair to say Boxwood have been the benchmark in the OFA for a number of years and lifted the standard,” Addis said. “We have important players up forward and through the middle and our backline has been good all year without any star individuals but both sides have strengths all over the ground. “Having a home ground advantage will play a part and could result in a few goals.” The league game starts at 2.10pm on Saturday while Boxwood and the Bulldogs will also do battle in the reserves while Jerramungup face the Bulldogs in the juniors. Gnowangerup and Newdegate will clash in the senior netball and hockey grand finals also on Saturday.