The TAC Cup finals have started today. The programme:-

TAC CUP QUALIFYING FINALS

SATURDAY AUGUST 30

Visy Park

11:30am: Oakleigh Chargers v Geelong Falcons

2:15pm: Calder Cannons v North Ballarat Rebels

ELIMINATION FINALS

SUNDAY AUGUST 31

Visy Park

11:30am: Western Jets v Dandenong Stingrays

2:15pm: Sandringham Dragons v Murray Bushrangers

Mad Monday Preview

Falcons lead by 2 goals halfway through the third quarter on a perfect day for football at Visy Park.

Pat McCartin has shown why he's no 1 in the draft rankings having just kicked two goals in a minute for the Falcons.

McCartin reminds me of Cam Pedersen.

In fact he could be his clone.

Would be amazing if the Saints took him at pick 1.

Here's hoping he kicks 12 goals today.

McCartin reminds me of Cam Pedersen.

In fact he could be his clone.

Would be amazing if the Saints took him at pick 1.

Here's hoping he kicks 12 goals today.

Exciting finish with the Oakleigh Chargers coming over the top of the Geelong Falcons with a last minute goal. One of the heroes for the Chargers was Toby McLean and exciting small forward with good evasive skills.

McCartin managed only the two goals and they came within a minute or two in the third quarter but was off the ground (likely injured) soon after.

Oakleigh's Marc Pittonet was the pick of the big men but Darcy Moore (Collingwood f/s) was unsighted and Geelong's Hugh Goddard also had little influence.

Geelong's Aaron Christensen looked a likely prospect as a crumbing forward.

2014 TAC Cup 2014

Oakleigh Chargers 0.1.1 3.4.22 6.7.43 9.10.64

Geelong Falcons 2.3.15 5.4.34 7.6.48 9.9.63

Goals

Oakleigh Chargers McLean 2 Answerth Crocker Kinsella Mahon Phillips Urban Waddell

Geelong Falcons Christensen 4 McCartin 2 Dixon Maishman Remmos

Best

Oakleigh Chargers Answerth McKenzie Pittonet Beasley Phillips Kinsella

Geelong Falcons Miles Curnow Maishman Dixon Christensen Melican

The first half of the Cannons v Rebels match has been a game of two quarters with Calder making a slow start but now on top.

Cannons do it easy to win by 99 points after an early scare.

2014 TAC Cup 2014

Calder Cannons 2.3.15 8.7.55 15.10.100 25.10.160

North Ballarat Rebels 6.0.36 8.2.50 8.3.57 9.7.61

Goals

Calder Cannons Foster 6 Cavka 5 Cauchi 4 Ahern 3 Kerbatieh Kovacevic 2 Moore Ryan Wunhym

North Ballarat Rebels Palmer 6 Cowan Guthrie Wheelahan

Best

Calder Cannons Cavka James Kovacevic Carboni Foster Goodyear

North Ballarat Rebels Palmer McDonald Marshall Bennett Johnston Ludeman

The full forwards for both teams were outstanding. Foster is a potential Bulldogs f/s selection who was terrific in the second half when his team was dominant. Palmer kicked four in the first quarter and had five by half time but was starved of opportunities after that. The Cannons midfield took over from quarter time onwards and ran the Rebels off their legs. It was an even performance from the Cannons and that's been their strength in this competition over the years.

For those who venture down to Visy Park today there's the possible opportunity of catching a glimpse of the future when the Dandenong Stingrays take on the Western Jets. Jake Lovett, son of Brett Lovett, has been selected on the Stingrays' extended interchange bench so there's no guarantee that he'll be out there when the game starts at 11.30 this morning. Lovett has played just five TAC Cup games, the last on 12 July but was very impressive on debut.

I can't make it today but will try to update you with information if my spies live up to their promises of keeping me informed.

The update is that Jake Lovett is playing for the Stingrays. He's been out with a foot injury but made a successful comeback with his local side last week and was picked today as an interchange. He's a bottom ager which means he's not eligible to be drafted until next year.

2014 TAC Cup 2014

Western Jets 1.2.8 5.6.36 7.8.50 10.11.71

Dandenong Stingrays 4.3.27 7.4.46 9.7.61 13.8.86

Goals

Western Jets Manivong Menadue Payne 2 Coletta Holdsworth Spiteri Viola

Dandenong Stingrays Weitering 3 Tomkins Wilson 2 Capiron Dale Gray Lamb Mullane Williams

Best

Western Jets Menadue Monk Viojo Duggan Carter Myers

Dandenong Stingrays Moloney Harnett Mullane Kempster Weitering Pawel

The update is that Jake Lovett is playing for the Stingrays. He's been out with a foot injury but made a successful comeback with his local side last week and was picked today as an interchange. He's a bottom ager which means he's not eligible to be drafted until next year.

Whisper, I've heard differing reports re Jake. What's your take on him?

Sandy Dragons lead by 8 points at half time.

Goal just kicked by Brayden Maynard whose father played for the Demons and works for the club.

The Dragons win by 9 points. From all accounts Angus Brayshaw was one of the best.

Others associated with Melbourne who did well were Tyler Roos (yes - son of Roosy) and Brayden Maynard.

2014 TAC Cup 2014

Sandringham Dragons 3.3.21 6.6.42 10.9.69 12.10.82

Murray Bushrangers 2.2.14 5.4.34 7.8.50 10.13.73

Goals

Sandringham Dragons Brayshaw Pavlou Wilkinson 2 Balic McLaren Maynard Neiwand Parsons Slater

Murray Bushrangers Howe 3 Brodie Brown Drummond Howard Mellington Schache Simpkin

Best

Sandringham Dragons Brayshaw Pavlou Manteit Fordham Balic James

Murray Bushrangers Howe Drummond Hodgson Mellington Holman Muller

His dad, Max Maynard, is back working with 5aa these days.

His son looks a talent, according to the old man could be a late first rounder.

Not eligible for father son?

Not eligible for father son?

His dad's name's Peter Maynard but perhaps "Max" might be his nickname.

Peter didn't play many games for us before crossing over to Glenelg so definitely no father/son.

Brayden almost became Adelaide's first father son player

Should be another good day of footy at Princess Park on Sunday, hopefully the sunny and light winds weather prediction holds and we can watch some really good footy.

2nd Semi Final

11:30am Sunday 7th September

Geelong Vs Dandenong

These 2 teams faced off just 2 weeks ago with Geelong running out winners by 10 goals, Patrick McCartin is set to miss which should slightly even the teams out but I believe Geelong has too much class and should beat out Dandenong. Jake Lovett has been named on the extended bench again for Dandenong and hopefully will play on the weekend.

1st Semi Final

2:15pm Sunday 7th September

North Ballarat Vs Sandringham

Sandringham have the edge with a very talented team and should account for North Ballarat this weekend, Angus Brayshaw has been named in the centre for the Dragons.

Preview: Geelong Falcons v Dandenong Stingrays

Preview: North Ballarat Rebels v Dandenong Stingrays

Dandenong Stingrays defeat Geelong Falcons by 9 goals.

2014 TAC Cup 2014

Geelong Falcons 0.2.2 2.3.15 3.6.24 6.9.45

Dandenong Stingrays 2.0.12 6.3.39 10.4.64 15.8.98

Goals

Geelong Falcons Bright 2 Beardsell Hodge Kershaw Sheahan

Dandenong Stingrays Lonie 5 Lamb Williams 2 Cox Dale Fischer Harnett Mullane Wilson

Best

Geelong Falcons Sheahan Nelson Goddard Cordy Kershaw Maddock

Dandenong Stingrays Gray White Lonie Dale Moloney Pawel

Dandenong Stingrays defeat Geelong Falcons by 9 goals.

2014 TAC Cup 2014

Geelong Falcons 0.2.2 2.3.15 3.6.24 6.9.45

Dandenong Stingrays 2.0.12 6.3.39 10.4.64 15.8.98

Goals

Geelong Falcons Bright 2 Beardsell Hodge Kershaw Sheahan

Dandenong Stingrays Lonie 5 Lamb Williams 2 Cox Dale Fischer Harnett Mullane Wilson

Best

Geelong Falcons Sheahan Nelson Goddard Cordy Kershaw Maddock

Dandenong Stingrays Gray White Lonie Dale Moloney Pawel

Were you at the game WJ?

Were you at the game WJ?

Not this week. Just passing on the scores.

Sandringham Dragons winners over North Ballarat Rebels by 32 points in the other semi final.

2014 TAC Cup 2014

North Ballarat Rebels 4.4.28 5.7.37 8.10.58 9.12.66

Sandringham Dragons 4.3.27 7.6.48 8.7.55 15.8.98

Goals

North Ballarat Rebels Cowan 3 McDonald 2 Butler Palmer Templeton Marshall

Sandringham Dragons Clayton 3 Matera Neiwand 2 Bazzani Brayshaw Fordham Grace Huntington Pavlou Roos Wilkinson

Best

North Ballarat Rebels Marshall Cowan Weightman Conboy Palmer Neville

Sandringham Dragons Wilkinson Neiwand Balic McLaren Vickers-Willis Maynard

Next week it's preliminary final day with Calder Cannons playing Dandenong Stingrays while Oakleigh Chargers take on Sandringham Dragons in the other game.

Dandenong Stingrays defeat Geelong Falcons by 9 goals.2014 TAC Cup 2014

Geelong Falcons 0.2.2 2.3.15 3.6.24 6.9.45

Dandenong Stingrays 2.0.12 6.3.39 10.4.64 15.8.98

Goals

Geelong Falcons Bright 2 Beardsell Hodge Kershaw Sheahan Dandenong Stingrays Lonie 5 Lamb Williams 2 Cox Dale Fischer Harnett Mullane Wilson Best

Geelong Falcons Sheahan Nelson Goddard Cordy Kershaw MaddockDandenong Stingrays Gray White Lonie Dale Moloney Pawel

Great result for Dandy. Lonie is an interesting one for mine. I was trying to recall as to whether he was undersized. Time for a little homework.

174cm. Starred for Vic Country on occasions during carnival.

Lonie was terrific today. Good pace and his skills off the deck were very sharp. He'd also be among the best kick's in this years crop. For three quarters he was automatic from inside fifty, slotting goals from all angles, both on the run and from set shots. Set shots were particularly impressive as there was a slightly tricky breeze out there today.

His field kicking is generally very good too, but that's not unusual for a Lonie.

Thought White was very good again for the Stingrays. Have seen Dandenong a couple of times this year and White and Lonie have been very good players for them every time. thought Capiron was solid today as well.

The Falcons were very disappointing, butchering the ball forward of centre. Probably had as much of, if not more of the ball today, but were just horrible with their ball use.

Goddard was quite good down back, but the service to him made it hard for him to impact the game when up forward. Think he has been good since the champs, but still hard to get a read on where he'll go. His failure to take control of any games would seem to have hurt his standing. Clearly has plenty of talent to work with though.

Hope my local Calder boys can get up

Gippsland Power's Alex Carr won the 2014 Morrish Medal last night.

He played one game as 23rd for the Scorpions this year.

Carr powers home to win Morrish Medal in TAC Cup