WHAT PRICE A TICKET FOR AN AEROPLANE

For the Box Hill Hawks to have made their way to a preliminary final after losing the first seven matches at a time when their AFL partner was imploding is nothing if not breathtaking. On Sunday there were some anxious moments as the Werribee Tigers gathered momentum and clawed their way to within two kicks of victory with minutes remaining. However, the Hawks deserved their victory and a shot at Port Melbourne. What has not pleased their very serious coach, Andy Collins, is the scheduling of the preliminary for Saturday, giving them only six days to recover from a frenetic final. Although Collins didn't have a chance to address the question on ABC TV, he was said to be 'shocked' by it and the club will be registering a formal complaint.

The decision - based, says the VFL, on the suitability of JETSTAR flights for Tasmania and its supporters and the possibility that Melbourne (Sandy's partner) might have won its final and played on Saturday - seriously weakens Box Hill's chances. As their one goal to five last quarter indicated, the Hawks were weary. So ferocious at the ball were midfielders Steve Bailey, Brad Sewell, Ben Kane, Chris Wilson and Gordon Tallis it was inevitable they'd tire.

Twenty three year old Bailey again showed why he must be drafted. Beautifully balanced, with a turn of speed and great vision, Bailey has the skill and attitude to play AFL. In the wake of Aaron Davey's form at Melbourne and Josh Mahoney's resurrection at Port Adelaide after a successful stint in the VFL it would be foolhardy to overlook Bailey.

Saturday's preliminary will be one of the most significant VFA/VFL finals in a long time. Not since Williamstown in the halcyon years between 1985 and '92 replicated the Port Melbourne of the '70s and early 80s and stormed towards grand finals have we had anything resembling the atmosphere of Sunday's semi final. The tribalism of the Box Hill cheer squad and the passion its supporters bring is a godsend for the VFL. If those gods continue to smile there's every chance Saturday's final at Port will draw the biggest VFA/VFL crowds in years.

Fortunately for lovers of the suburban game, Andy Collins has the players to counter Port's midfield dynamos Jeremy Clayton, Callum Urch, Shane Clayton, Leigh Harding and Steve Lawrence. On the tight Port ground the midfield battle will be as hotly contested as anything we see in AFL football. And if the Hawks hold their nerve and don't tire they can win. If only they'd had one extra day to rest!

THE WORKERS FLAG

I don't know whether John Howard and Mark Latham will be fraternising with the masses at Port on Saturday. Coburg president Dean Mighell, who also doubles as secretary of the ETU, tells me he's invited both men to the ETU BBQ at Port. 'I'd like to show Mr Howard around the jumping castle,' said the Coburg pres through gritted teeth. With a bit of luck the third Workers Day at Port will help swell the crowd on the terrace. Anyone with a union card gets free entry, and they tell me the snags are something else. See you there.

A DEVIL OF A TASK

The 8,500 crowd at Bellerive last Saturday and the withering finish to the game was yet another step towards a VFL grand final in the Apple Isle. Although it's not been seriously talked about, it most certainly will happen. Before it can the Devils must reach a grand final. Will the powerhouse Trent Bartlett be the man to lead the charge against Mark Williams' Sandringham? Big, strong, animated and gregarious, Bartlett is one of the VFL's most inspiring players. And despite all the talk about the role of the midfield at Port, games continue to turn on the performance of players inside fifty. The moment Werribee won the ball in attack on Sunday its midfield gathered momentum and suddenly the Tigers looked capable of winning. The tightness of the Port ground means there's less chance for the runners to create easy goals for the marking forwards and contested marks inside fifty become crucial.

Will the cohesion and passion created by standing alone be enough to drive the Devils to victory? I doubt it. One of the most uplifting aspects of the finals has been the passion displayed by all players. The restriction of 12 AFL players to aligned sides during the finals has played its part and Sandringham is one of the great clubs. To date there's been no sense that these VFL finals are dressed up reserves matches or a preparation for AFL finals.

Those who've known the VFA's greatness and genuinely grasp the uniqueness of the suburban game and understand its place in football's tapestry have much about which to be happy. It's easy for those who run with the hounds and wallow in the shadow of the AFL to be blind to the innate character of football in a suburban setting. Like the games that have preceded it, this preliminary offers so much. The Devils won't be the favourite. Nor will they have their adoring supporters to fire them to victory. Nevertheless, coach Matty Armstrong knows there'll be any number of people who hope that the spirit force is with them and they strike a blow for the underdog.

SATURDAY

PORT v Box Hill - ABC TV - 1.10 PM

SUNDAY

SANDRINGHAM v Tasmania - ABC TV 2.00 PM