Reigning premiers Churchill followed on from a near-faultless final two months of the home and away season on Saturday, to secure a grand final berth for the third consecutive season under coach Leigh McDonald.Last years premiers signaling their flag intentions by brushing aside Heyfield in a five minute purple patch late in the fourth term which saw them pile on four consecutive goals to seal an 18 point victory at Tyers.
The Cougars managed to stay on level terms in a lackluster first quarter, before the side clicked into gear in the second term piling on five goals to the Kangaroos two behinds. The Cougars turning a 19 point first term deficit into an 11 point lead at half time.
Consecutive goals early in the final term gave the Cougars a sniff as they hit the front by five points before steamrolling the Kangaroos in a blitzing five minutes of football slamming home three majors to win 12.8 (80) to 8.14 (62).
Churchill forward Nick Campbell kicked three goals and Scott Kelly and Joe Whykes booted two apiece, while defender Matt McNamara was best afield as a rebounding defender.
Heyfield burst out of the blocks in the heavy conditions, coach Stuart Anderson with the opener.
Last weeks man of the moment Nathan McDonald looked to respond for Churchill his shot at goal skewing off the side of the boot.
The McDonald brothers looked to combine, Nathan hand passing to Leigh whose shot registered a behind.
The Cougar forwards worked hard to regain possession from the kick in, before the Kangaroos defence surged through the centre of the ground.
Heyfield’s Brett Szabo pushed forward his strong lead marked Aaron Duffys kick, Szabo registering his first.
The conditions played havoc in front of goals Heyfield captain Andrew Stevens shot on a slight angle spraying the face of goal while at the other end of the ground Churchill struggled to make a mark on the scoreboard. Steve Paterson’s set shot missing.
A chip kick by Kelly, found the loose Whykes who slotted through the Cougars opener.
Anderson set sail at goal to counteract Churchill’s challenge as the Kangaroos kicked away to a three goal lead at the first change.
Conditions settled at the start of the second term Churchill goaling from the cente bounce, before Nathan McDonald had the Cougars second shot in as many minutes his kick marked on the last line.
Churchill’s backline of Nathan Richer, Dale Paterson and McNamara worked hard to set up play down field their slick movement from defence saw Kelly goal, before a strong contested pack mark by Jason Sutherland had the Cougars third on the trot.
Two missed shots at goal by the Kangaroos failed to halt Churchill’s ascendency as Greig Williams converted 20 metres out directly in front to bring his side within a point before strong tackling by the Churchill midfield set up Campbell for his second.
A goal on the half time siren by Kelly put the Cougars 11 points in front at the long change, 6.4 (40) to 4.5 (29).
Heyfield came out firing in the third term as the tempo quickly turned the way of Heyfield.
Anderson opened his sides account in a lively second half, Heyfield with all the attacking on the scoreboard early.
Lyell Berry goaled from hard up in the pocket his goal regaining the lead before Campbell responded to level the score.
Heyfield registered their seventh as a bit of spite arose between the two sides, Berry looked to extend the margin his shot missing while at the other end Kelly failed to convert.
A 50 metre penalty brought Campbell within scoring distance in the goal square his third levelling scores before Szabo rolled one through the sticks at the other end of the ground to put the Kangaroos in front by a kick at the final change.
Anderson pushed forward in the final term as neither side looked to give an inch.
The Kangaroos drew forward in the opening minutes, before Churchill rebounded forward Whykes with the opener.
Play battled out between the two half back lines as neither side’s forwards were able to break the opposition defence.
Both sides had their opportunities in front of goals, minor scores levelling the ledger.
Consecutive goals to Churchill gave the Cougars a sniff. Heyfield’s midfield worked hard to set up the side’s forwards who failed to convert a major in the final term.
A shot at goal by Churchill saw the Cougars regain a five point lead.
Leigh McDonald gained possession from the ruck contest his kick finding the flying Kelly his shot bending back to split the sticks, the margin out to 11 points.
A missed shot to Nathan Wellins hard on the boundary line out the Cougars defenders under siege as Heyfield threw everything at them in an attempt to reel in the margin.
Churchill’s dominating four goals to none final term setting up the win as the Cougars ran over the top of the Kangaroos.
Churchill midfielders Travis Brighton and Leigh McDonald ensured the Cougars got first use of the ball with full back James Larkin and Dale Paterson combining well to shut down Heyfield’s danger forwards.
Heyfield’s Mark Bedggood was a standout for the Kangaroos with Josh Neille providing plenty of run in the middle of the ground with Aaron Duffy and Matt Cassidy solid performers.
SEMI FINAL ONE: Tigers claw Bombers as Boisdale bow out in straight sets
An undermanned Gormandale lineup caused the upset of the season eliminating Boisdale yesterday.
In wild wintry conditions the Tigers ran red hot in the final term holding the Bombers at bay as they failed to be intimidated by their more fancied opponent.
Tiger captain Daniel Domaille was instrumental in his sides nine point victory, which saw Gormandale secure an unlikely preliminary final berth.
Boisdale got off on the right foot booting the opener in the early stages of the match but faded away in a performance bearing little resemblance to some of their early season form.
In a game of contrasting terms neither side was able to break clear in an epic battle.
Gormandale peppered away at the posts in the opening term as the Tigers small crumbing players did well to rove the packs and hold the ball within their attacking 50.
Toby Callanan proved to be the villain in front of goals for the Tigers missing four shots before slotting through his opener in style.
Callanan flying across the pack to mark Ben Marks shot at goal in the goal square, the goal opening Gormandale’s account.
Andrew Gieschen had his first after the Bombers defence cleared their offensive zone to move the ball through the middle of the ground to goal.
The goals quickly dried up as play concentrated between the two half back lines, with both sides missing opportunities at either end of the ground.
Hard work by the Bombers forwards saw Danny Pratt goal before Brendan Solomon responded for the Tigers reeling the margin back to two points.
Tiger Ben Marks was quickly becoming a ball magnet picking up possessions in both the forward line and mopping up across half back, as he drew plenty of attention from the opposition.
Callanan’s second major regained the lead for the Tigers as frustrations began to boil over for the Bombers.
Two undisciplined 50 metre penalties handed Gormandale their fourth major, Wayne Henry making no mistake as he split the sticks.
Solomon made it consecutive goals on the run, before Steve Burgess got in on the action soccerring through a major.
The margin quickly blowing out to 21 points in favour of Gormandale as the momentum favoured the underdogs.
Working the ball from defence Lee Forsyth set up play combining with John Saunders and Ben Langshaw who shaved six points off the margin.
Best on ground Bomber Ben Plozza made it consecutive majors, before he had his second in as many minutes a snap shot at goal making it three on the run as the Bombers intensity lifted.
The Bombers drew within two points late in the first half before a Gormandale goaled prior to the long break pushed the buffer out to nine, 6.3 (39) to 7.6 (48).
It wasn’t pretty footy early in the second half both sides desperation at the ball evident as errant kicks saw the ball back and forward between the 50 metre arcs before Ben Carr broke through to goal for Boisdale.
Lambourn was unable to bend his kick back in the wind, however Gieschen had no issue goaling from the pocket.
The coaches second major seeing Boisdale regain the lead for the first time since the opening quarter.
The pressure was paramount in the premiership term, errors riddled play as the Bombers held Gormandale goalless until a late snap at goal by Domaille saw the ball roll through the posts.
Scores were level at the final change; Lambourn got Boisdale off on the right foot with the opening goal.
But it was all Gormandale in the final term, the Tigers desperation evident as they added three goals to two and it could have been more had they converted a number of failed opportunities.
Clever vision by Marks resulted in the small forward sitting the ball up for Burgess who had his second.
The Bombers defenders bore the brunt in the final term, Lee Forsyth and co working hard to shut down all the Tigers avenues to goal.
Boisdale kept in the game by errant kicking in the wind, with a number of the Tigers sharp shooters struggling to register a score in the strong winds.
The Bombers were left ruling numerous missed opportunities and undisciplined passages of play saw unnecessary penalties going against the frustrated Bombers.
The margin remained under a kick for the majority of the term before a late goal by Jamie Lynn on the siren blew the margin out to nine, 11.10 (76) to 10.7 (67).
Shannan Edwards was creative for the Tigers, with experienced midfielder Bobby Pacunskis instrumental in the middle of the ground along with defender Steve Hore.
Boisdale’s Gieschen finished the match with three majors, with Forsyth tireless in his varying roles while youngster Regan Tait and ruck man Don Veale worked hard to ensure the Bombers first use of the ball.
By Lauren Carey
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