CHURCHILL ran all over the top of Boisdale in Saturdays North Gippsland Qualifying final.Led by Nathan McDonald, Ryan Sutherland and Brandon Mahoney in a stunning first half, the Cougars dominated the centre clearances and by the time the Bombers had moved to plan B, it was all over.
Understandably, given its brilliant start, Churchill went through the motions in the final term and while Boisdale were able to peg back the margin in the fourth quarter, the Cougars were simply magnificent.
The reigning premiers showed why they are the top cats dominating possession for most of the first half, as the Bombers struggled to work their way into the game.
Churchill took charge in the second term with five majors to two to extend their quarter time lead to seven goals at the main change.
The Cougars packed numbers around the stoppages, with their rovers reading the taps better than the Bombers and pumping the ball into a wide open forward line.
McDonald was the standout in front of goal booting nine majors, with the highlight being two goals from 50 metres in the first half that set the tone for the victors.
In their second final appearance since rejoining the league the Bombers were once again out done on the big stage, Boisdale failing to fire under the pressure of finals football.
The match began with a touch of the fumbles, with both sides failing to make effective use of the footy before the Cougars drew on their finals experience to compose and dominate passages of play.
Churchill registered the opening major before a shot hard on the boundary line by Nathan McDonald saw the Cougar slot through the sides second.
The Cougars backline of Dale Paterson, Ainsley Bannan, Matt McNamara and Cory Thompson worked hard to contain the Bombers forwards who peppered away at the sticks early.
Andrew Gieschen putting through his sides third behind, as the Bombers forwards and midfield worked hard to contain play within their offensive zone.
Churchill broke clear from defence to draw forward, McDonald extending the margin out to 16 points before his third for the term saw the Cougars take a 22 point lead into the first change.
There was little let up in the second the Cougars slamming on five goals to two.
Immense pressure by the Cougars forwards and engine room resulted in Lee Kelly strolling into goal after the Bombers backline was turned inside out.
A snap at goal by McDonald recorded Churchill’s seventh, before the Bombers broke through to register their first major midway through the second term.
It was quickly followed by a second Joel Lambourn marking ruckman Don Veale’s shot at goal on the goal line.
Two shots in as many minutes from the same range saw McDonald add to his tally as he cut apart the Bombers defence, on the half time siren 9.4 (58) to 2.4 (16).
McDonald the architect in the forward line, he was pitted against Leigh Fulford, on whom he booted most of his goals in the opening half.
He wasn’t the only McDonald who was having an impact on the match, brother Leigh was dominate in the middle of the ground.
Mahoney provided run, Paterson had the Bombers forwards in handcuffs in a top stop job and Nathan Richer took them on.
Churchill increased its lead from 22 to 41 to 54 points at the breaks, interestingly Boisdale matched the Cougars in the second half booting five goals to six but the damage had been inflicted in the opening half.
A purple patch late in the final term excited the Bomber faithful as they added three unanswered goals, Gieschen and John Saunders adding majors.
Youngster Regan Tait left nothing in the locker room, Lee Forsyth came in and out of the game taking on various roles and Winston Gieschen was busy, but the Bombers never got a roll on.
Boisdale had the better of Gormandale in the reserve qualifying final, after the Tigers led by one goal at the first change.
The two sides were level pegged in the first term before the Bombers piled on eight goals to nil to take a match winning lead into the long change.
The momentum continued Boisdale’s way in the second half Danny Pratt and Matt Gravener booting eight and five respectively aiding their side to a 79 point victory.
Gormandale thirds took control from the onset in their clash against Boisdale.
The Tigers booted away to as handy 22 point lead at the first change before struggling to trouble the scoreboard in the second.
But they put their foot on the pedal after half time booting ten goals to four to record a 10 goal victory.
Tiger Todd Hallam was named best on ground while Brian Graham was the pick of the goal kickers finishing with three, while Boisdale’s Corey Lindrea was among the standout for the Bombers.
ELIMINATION FINAL: Tigers live to use another nine life
Experienced final campaigners GORMANDALE spoiled Woodside’s fairytale with a convincing five goal win to bundle the Wildcats out of the final series while advancing to a semi final showdown against Boisdale.
The Wildcats needed to tame perennial finalists the Tigers who burst out of the blocks from the opening bounce.
Rising to the mantle of finals in their second season, Woodside took a while to settle into the match before dominating the late stage of the first term.
With coach Travis Ronaldson sided lined through injury, along with a number of other core players it was always going to be a tough assignment.
Without stars of their own the Tigers quickly adjusted to the match and fell into the finals groove.
Despite their quick run forward the Tigers were unable to execute the start they wanted on the scoreboard early.
It took some 10 minutes for either side to register a major, with play concentrated back and forward between the two half back lines before Gormandale’s Brendan Solomon went against the tide to slot through the opener of the match.
It was quickly followed by Woodside’s Nick Stockdale following a scuffle in Gormandale’s pocket.
Poor delivery into the Tigers forward line saw Gormandale punished as Wildcats full back Frank Triantafyllou and back line Daniel Elliot, Mark Collison and Andrew Joyce swooped on the loose ball.
Their hard work was quickly rewarded when dynamo forward Ronnie Burns flashed past Lee Renton on the mark, his handpass finding Anthony Jannsen to goal.
The Tigers worked hard to move the ball forward only to fall down across half forward with the Wildcats defence having a major say on proceedings with their pressure paramount.
One kick separated the two sides at the first change of ends, Woodside worked hard to deliver the ball into the tandem attack of Justin Staley and Burns early in the second.
Gormandale back man Rob Voss worked hard to contain Staley, his handy work setting up play from defence.
Wayne Henry used the open space along the wing to hit the chest of forward Toby Callanan who went back to goal.
It was one of two unanswered majors Steve Burgess goaling to regain the lead.
A snap off the boot by Solomon had the Tigers fourth as the Wildcats quickly lost momentum.
Damien Quigley reeled one back for the Wildcats, but it was quickly answered by Daniel Domaille which resulted in Gormandale maintaining a two goal buffer.
A number of missed opportunities by the Tigers, kept the Wildcats in the match before two quick goals to Gormandale prior to the half time siren looked to seal the result.
Gormandale continued their dominance in the third term, although the score board didn’t reflect their efforts.
The Tigers were unable to break clear the two sides going goal for goal in a low scoring 25 minutes of footy.
The Wildcats challenged but on each occasion the Tigers responded, the margin blown out to 27 points at the final break.
Two early majors in the opening minutes of the final term one courtesy of Domaille, put the result beyond reach but the Wildcats wouldn’t lay down a goal to Damien Kerr lifted their spirits.
The flood gates then opened, before two late term goals by Burns made the margin more respectable at the final siren 14.13 (97) to 9.8 (62).
Luke Hegarty was instrumental in a dominating performance, Voss kept the Tigers backline in check as he held danger man Staley goal less while Jack Marino was a solid tall option around the ground.
Wildcats Shane Kilgower worked tirelessly all match with Ruben Haustorfer and Mark Collison also notable performers.
Sale City reserves ran over the top of Glengarry to snare a three goal victory, 12.15 (87) to 9.9 (63).
Trailing by four goals at half time the Dogs reeled the margin back to 14 points at the final change before drawing level midway through the final quarter.
City then piled on three unanswered goals to book a semi final berth against Gormandale.
Kade Simmons and Rod Fitt were among the best for the Dogs while Glengarry’s Jason Veneman finished the match with four, with Bryan Swan and Steve Wright solid contributors.
After a tight opening half Cowwarr thirds blew the game wide open with a seven goal to two second half.
Trailing by just over a kick at quarter time the Saints dominated in the second term to take a nine point break into half time.
The goals flowed freely for the Saints after the long change as they ran home 38 point victors.
Cowwarr’s charge on the scoreboard led by forward Brad McBride who finished the day with seven.
WEEK TWO FINALS:
SECOND SEMI FINAL – Heyfield V Churchill , Saturday 29th August, Tyers
FIRST SEMI FINAL – Boisdale V Woodside, Sunday 30th August, Sale City
By Luaren Carey
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