A prominent figure in the Associated Public Schools (APS) scene has backed underdogs Caulfield Grammar as a genuine threat to the undefeated Brighton Grammar on Saturday.
Brighton Grammar is heavy favourites in the inaugural APS firsts football grand final, hosting a Caulfield Grammar side it smashed by 57 points on their home turf in Round 1.
Former Carlton AFLW coach Daniel Harford, who coaches St Kevin's College which was viewed as the biggest threat to the two grand finalists this season, was ultra-impressed by Caulfield Grammar which beat them by 42 points in what was effectively a playoff for the second grand final spot a fortnight ago.
“They're the best team we've played all year. They were the globetrotters,” Harford told Zero Hanger.
“If Caulfield play the way they did against us, no-one is beating them, I don't care who it is or where it is.”
Three-time Geelong premiership player Jimmy Bartel is the head of footy at Caulfield Grammar and is spoken of highly by the playing cohort.
After a rare year without any graduates drafted last year, Caulfield Grammar has first round prospects Marlon Neocleous and Wil Malady within its ranks, as well as 2027 prospects Harper McCullough and Angus and 2028 Vic Country representative Chase Whelan – though the latter pair will miss the clash with injury.
“They owned the ball, they won the contest and beat us at clearance, they chipped the ball around,” Harford added.
“Marlon Neocleous is an unbelievable player, Ryan McConnell is underrated and Wil Thornton plays well behind the footy.
“They owned the ball all day, they created space and found holes in the middle of the ground and once they got it in the forward half, they got overlap and got it to dangerous forward targets.
“They've been growing since the start of the year, they've found a mode which suits their list. They're not big necessarily other than Malady, they're relatively small, but they just run in waves and they're really fit.”
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Brighton Grammar, meanwhile, is raging favourites but St Kevin's College got within 10 points of causing a major boilover earlier in the season, proving they are gettable.
Among Brighton Grammar's draftable talent is Arki Butler, Tyson Bradley and Jasper Williams and bottom-agers Jake Miller, Riley Stratford and Archie Bakoulas.
Defender Louis Lefoe shut out top 2027 draft prospect Miller but the Tonners still took their moments late, allowing them to hold on.
“Their pressure is really good and they can move the ball in any sort of mode,” Harford said.
“They can surge, they can own the footy, they can stay narrow, they can go wide. They're an all-round team so I have a lot of respect for them.
“They put a heap of pressure on the source so any advance forward you get, you're kicking to their one-on-one defensive players and Bradley is one of those who steps up and does what he wants back there.
“And you need someone who can shut out (Jake) Miller. Miller's your number one to get rid of but they have such good, talented forwards.”
A significant factor in the game will be Brighton Grammar's home ground advantage, with their postage stamp deck suited to their style of play.
Bradley, named Vic Metro's MVP at the recent Under-18s National Championships, in particular is a weapon given his penetrating kicking.
“It's unique. I think it's a significant home ground advantage. It's tough to figure out how to play it as the visiting team. It's route one when you're kicking downhill and it's getting it inside your forward 50 as quickly as possible and create space out the back and up the hill they have a bit more tempo but they're still capable of scoring. The ground is a significant part of the whole game.
Another watch will be the fitness of top-five prospect Arki Butler who is keen to turn out for his school one more time and win the inaugural flag but he is currently sidelined with a collarbone injury.
“He's the dual threat. He can go on-ball, he's so competitive, he's always in it and his work rate is unbelievable, or he goes forward and they isolate him and he hits the scoreboard,” Harford said.
“You need two players to replace him and two really good players.”
