A nine goal premiership term orchestrated by coach Ben Macreadie saw minor premiers ROSEDALE follow on from a near-faultless second half of the home and away season on Saturday to secure a grand final berth.

SECOND SEMI FINAL: ROSEDALE v HEYFIELD

Exploding out of the blocks after half time the Blue’s nine goal straight third quarter acted as the barometer for the remainder of the contest as Rosedale established an unassailable match winning lead, steam rolling premiership hopeful Heyfield in a one sided affair 16.10 (106) to 6.12 (48).

Rosedale’s control of the game was ensured by their midfield dominance, the Blues champagne midfield brigade amassing disposals and more than doubled the number of times they moved the ball into attack in the match winning third stanza.

The Blues 10 goal to three second half has put fellow premiership hopefuls on notice. Rosedale’s rampage was blistering with the side showing no effects of sitting out the first week of finals. If anything the break has rejuvenated the Blues who will aim to secure their first premiership title since 2001 in two weeks’ time.

Running onto the field with the added depth and experience of AFL premiership player Max Bailey, Andrew McQualter and Tim Clarke, Heyfield sensed that they had a task ahead, and it was their backline that took to the challenge early restricting Baileys influence around the forward contest.

Heyfield made the first movement forward, but it would be Rosedale that rebounded strong off half back to open proceedings in under three minutes their first coming through Clarke.

The goals would dry up in a solid 15 minutes of play which saw the ball bounce back and forward between the hard hitting half backlines. Jeremey Reid was keeping Heyfield full forward James Beha in close check as the Kangaroos looked to open their account.

Adrian Cox was busy early, working hard to set up Beha he drilled the ball into the high flying pack with Jesse Bedggood leaving Beha to take the tumbling mark in front of goal. Beha’s shot on goal falling short as the Rosedale defence marked the errant kick.

The Kangaroos defence held strong, errant delivery into the Blues forwards seeing Scott Anderson and Daniel Stevens continue to pick off the ball and send the Kangaroos clear of half back.

The gridlock was broken when James Hammill combined with Adam Diamond who slotted through the Blues second.

A hard chase and run by Josh Stubbe tackled Jamie McIntosh to the ground, Cox swooping on the ball to send the Roos’ forward. Again Bedggood took flight but wasn’t able to hold the mark, before Beha was the recipient of a free kick courtesy of Reid’s push in the back his shot on goal again falling short.

Kodie Woodland broke through to open with Heyfield’s first before Hammill slotted one through ahead of quarter time to hand the Blues a two goal lead.

Woodland sparked Heyfield with the first of the second term, with Matt Goodwin halting Adam Diamond in his tracks with a ferocious tackle that sent his side forward.

Bailey looked to be within scoring distance but decided to pass off, the Kangaroos defence sublime in forcing the turnover. Heyfield running forward with Nick Dinsdale’s shot on goal missing.

Goodwin and Dale Fleming provided an entertaining battle of their own, the plucky Blue was making the most of his chances with his pace proving an advantage as he broke packs and created opportunities for the forwards.

There was plenty of spirit as the momentum began to swing the way of Rosedale. A major to McDonald would be the first of a run of goals with Macreadies first from the pocket drawing the margin out to four straight kicks before Stubbe got one back ahead of the long change.

The premiership term would be a whitewash as the Blues forwards and midfield brigade came from everywhere to get in on the action. McDonald added another to his match tally of three in the first two minutes of play. Macreadie had his sides second in quick succession, before the coach added another when he out marked Jesse Jackway.

Jake Mowat caught Andrew Lambie on the move, Mowat’s strong tackle resulting in a holding the ball play and the Blues fourth for the term. Adam Diamond made it five straight as the Kangaroos failed to clear the ball past centre half back as they were left under siege, the goals flowed and the flood gate opened up in a blistering quarter by the Blues which saw the sides 17 point half time margin blown out to over 12 goals at the final change.

The final term was a formality, the Kangaroos peppering away at the goals in an effort to make the scoreboard more respectable registering late majors but were left rueing numerous missed opportunities and poor choices over the course of the afternoon.

Blue’s Macreadie left nothing in the locker room finishing with a game high four majors, Rowan Diamond came in and out of the game taking on various roles in a dominating performance, brother Adam provided direction in a rotating midfield role. Frazar Brouns was instrumental in a dominating performance in the ruck and was a handy forward target.
Goodwin found plenty of the ball lighting up the midfield, with his accelerating pace at times putting his direct opponent under pressure. The back line toiled hard, Tom McMillan shook the effects of last week’s heavy knock to lead the charge along with Lambie who were solid performers and never gave up. Anderson had an unenviable job down back in restricting the Blues forward entries into the tall target of Bailey and succeeded holding him goalless. In fact defenders Stevens and Nic Dowse also featured among the votes in an effort lead from defence.
FIRST SEMI FINAL: City barrelled out in straight sets
The knock out semi-final provided spectators with plenty as CHURCHILL kept their premiership defence alive with a sharp well drilled 11 point victory over Sale City. The Cougars victory barrelling the Dogs out of premiership contention in straight sets.
In a strange turn of events, a Churchill victory looked highly unlikely in a game that ebbed and flowed.
Looking sharp from the on-set City came to play in Sundays do or die final and were quick to place the Cougars on the back foot. Making easy pickings of the opposition, holding Churchill to a straight kick in the opening term, the Dogs took a five goal lead into the break however were suitably matched and outplayed in the second stanza which saw the contest well and truly alive. Churchill turning a 34 point deficit into a nine point lead at half time.
For the Dogs though they must contemplate what if, with the Cougars eight goal to one second term led by power forward Tim Darby and captain Chris Williams seeing the fifth placed finishers predictably in charge after the first change holding City’s measure winning 18.19 (117) to 15.16 (106).
Hamish Towns added to last week’s match total of six with a further three, Darby booted four with Leigh McDonald chipping in with three as Churchill advanced to a preliminary final showdown against Heyfield.
Champagne midfielder Travis Brighton was instrumental in and around the contest and got things going for the reigning premiers. Williams and Nick Celima ran at times rings around the opposition midfield amassing possessions, Dillon Leys was a key figure in the ruck contests or setting up play in the forward line and Darby was the standout forward with his bag.
Best on ground defender Jarrod Broadbent was outstanding generating a contest and setting up run off half back as he shut down his various opponents, and worked hard with defenders Jordon Fenech and Dale Paterson, the duo part of an impenetrable backline which held the Dogs danger forwards including Nick Grainger and Jake Milham to a mere two majors.

The loss of David Piasente from City’s line-up left Jake Schuback and Hayden Burgiel to track the Cougars play makers and in turn restricted the dangerous pair from opportunities in front of goal. Despite this Schuback’s influence on the game was second to none, likewise Brad McKay who thrilled with his breakaway speed and run and bounce carry of the ball towards goal.

While the second half was more even on the scoreboard it was the Dogs inability to run with their opponent in a whitewash second term which cost them their chances of advancing to a second straight preliminary final. The Cougars never surrendered the lead after they arrested it back despite City charging at the closing stages of the contest to win the term on the scoreboard six goals to four but it wasn’t enough.

City’s defence of James Versace, Shay Ferguson, Josh Barbetti, Abe Schuback and Tim DiMarco felt the effects of the Cougars quick delivery into their attacking 50 in the second and third telling terms. The Dogs back six worked hard to contain the onslaught, which saw the Cougars capitalise on the Dogs somewhat inability to cope with the immense pressure being pressed on them.

Down at half time, the Dogs needed to dig deep and start the third term on the front foot. But it was the Cougars that did just that, carrying on from where they left off in the second term Towns and Darby adding to the scoreboard.

City was well served by Schuback who worked hard to create something often out of nothing, McKay was a tireless contributor, defenders Barbetti and DiMarco never dropped their head and Mitch Bennett worked hard to claim bragging rights against his various opponents on his way to booting four majors.

For the victors Chris Weller was dogged, his tackling and second and third attempts held Churchill in good stead. Youngster Kurt Holt was influential with Celima another standout.

By Lauren Carey