PRELIMINARY FINAL 1
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Navarre v Lexton - 2.35pm Saturday at Princes Park, Maryborough
Last time: Round 1, 2014: Navarre 17.6 (108) d Lexton 11.5 (71).
Since 2009: Navarre 7; Lexton 4.
After facing off in last year’s MCDFL grand final, there’s room for only one of Navarre or Lexton in next week’s premiership decider.
The Grasshoppers and Tigers clash in Saturday’s first preliminary final in what’s a battle of the two best home and away teams.
Reigning premier Navarre goes into the game undefeated and having had a week off after defeating Natte Bealiba by 18 points in their qualifying final a fortnight ago.
Lexton kept its season alive with a 43-point semi-final win over Royal Park last week.
The Tigers have already had a big week, with midfielder Damon Aspland winning the Berry-Powell Medal.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
Navarre
Won: 17. Lost: 0.
Average for: 127.6. Against: 44.1.
Quarters won: 63/68.
Flag odds: $1.60.
Lexton:
Won: 16. Lost: 2.
Average for: 99.3. Against: 44.3.
Quarters won: 56/72.
Flag: $10.
PRELIMINARY FINAL 2
Carisbrook v Natte Bealiba - Princes Park, Maryborough, 2.35pm Sunday
Last time: Round 2, 2014: Carisbrook 15.10 (100) d Natte Bealiba 9.5 (59).
Since 2009: Carisbrook 5; Natte Bealiba 1.
Carisbrook and Natte Bealiba have both won MCDFL premierships in the past three years.
The winner of their preliminary final on Sunday will get a crack at another flag next week.
Carisbrook - which 12 months ago suffered its only loss of the season in the preliminary final - will go into the game as favourites.
The Redbacks have built strongly as the season has progressed and earned a rest last week after beating Lexton in the qualifying final a fortnight ago.
The Swans beat Newstead by 24 points last week, and with Stephen Ross among those in good form, have the talent to push the Redbacks all the way.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
Carisbrook
Won: 14. Lost: 3.
Average for: 96.6. Against: 52.8.
Quarters won: 50/68.
Flag: $3.
Natte Bealiba
Won: 13. Lost: 5.
Average for: 94.6. Against: 63.4.
Quarters won: 48/72.
Flag: $9.