It capped a huge finals series for Lindenow South, which won straight into the decider after beating minor premier Buchan in the semi-final after losing to the Cavemen three times in the home-and-away season.

One of the drawcards of the game yesterday was the chance to watch two of the state’s leading goal-kickers for the season going head to head in the decider.

But while Lindenow South’s Haydn Erfurth kicked seven goals for the match, Buchan’s Dylan Bolton, who was the first country footballer in the state to reach the ton this year, was restricted to just one major.

Lindenow South midfielder Russell White was named best-on-ground, following up from fellow Swampie Noel Jansz winning the league best-and-fairest.

Lindenow South playing co-coach Simon Williams was “ecstatic” after the win and said the Swampies took a lot of confidence out of the semi-final result.

“If we played as a team over four quarters, then we knew we were capable of beating anyone, really,” he said.

“We had a lot of brothers playing together today, so there was a lot of heart in the game.”

Williams said sticking to the task and pressure on the ball won the Swampies the match.

“We kept them under pressure for 70 to 80 per cent of the game, which makes a big difference,” he said.

The start of the senior final was delayed after a Swan Reach player suffered a serious leg injury in the under-16 grand final, which Bruthen won by 28 points.

● MERRIVALE has once again prevailed over Allansford in the qualifying final in the Warrnambool and District Football League yesterday.

The qualifying final was a rematch of the last home-and-away round the weekend earlier, and Merrivale, which won Round 18 by 42 points, again emerged on top, 16.7 (103) to 10.8 (68).

It will play minor premier Dennington in the second semi-final next weekend, while Allansford will play the winner of today’s elimination final between Kolora-Noorat and Old Collegians at Merrivale.

● WAUBRA has been sent packing from the Central Highlands Football League finals after an elimination final loss to Ballan yesterday.

Ballan won the do-or-die match 12.17 (89) to 9.10 (64), while Springbank thrashed Buninyong in yesterday’s qualifying final, 17.15 (117) to 8.8 (56).

The finals continue today with Hepburn and Beaufort playing in the second elimination final, while Gordon and Bungaree will meet in a qualifying final.

● COLBINABBIN has toppled North Bendigo in the Heathcote District Football League qualifying final.

In the last home-and-away round last week North Bendigo became the first side to defeat minor premier Leitchville Gunbower this season, but Colbinabbin replicated its Round 11 win against the Bulldogs.

Forward Grant Weeks kicked four goals in the 14.9 (93) to 9.9 (63) win.

Huntly and White Hills will clash in today’s elimination final.