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Led by Toby Callanan, Shane Higgins and Jack Marino in a stunning first half, the Tigers dominated the centre clearances and by the time the Magpies had moved to plan B, it was all over.

Understandably, given its brilliant start, Gormandale went through the motions in the final term and while Glengarry were able to peg back the margin in the fourth quarter, the Tigers were simply magnificent.

Gormandale's preparation for the final was dealt a selection blow late in the week with the omission of league leading goal kicker Paul Richards, forward Dane McGennisken and tagger Paul Rouget from the line up.

The Tigers didn't appear phased with a number of their stars on the side lines the perennial finalists showing why they are the top cats dominating possession for most of the first half, as the Magpies struggled to work their way into the game.

Gormandale took charge in the third term with six majors to nil to extend their half time lead to 10 goals at the final change.

The Tigers packed numbers around the stoppages, with their rovers reading the taps better than the Magpies and pumping the ball into a wide open forward line.

Callanan and Daniel Trease were the standouts in front of goal booting three majors a piece, with the duo scoring consecutive majors in the first half that set the tone for the victors.

In their first finals appearance in two seasons the Magpies were simply out done on the big stage, Glengarry 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 Tigers drew on their finals experience to compose and dominate passages of play.

Gormandale registered the opening two majors before Glengarry hit the scoreboard with a minor score.

The Magpies soon found their feet in front of goal midway through the term with Mark Engley and Jack Robertson combining to open the Magpies account, before the scoreboard dried up as both sides struggled to counteract the opposition's pressure.

Play concentrated between the two half back lines as neither side was able to make an impact in front of goals, the Tigers appeared to hold the momentum as they inflicted immense pressure around the ground with the Magpies struggling to break Gormandale's strangle hold.

The Tigers backline of Steve Hore, Wayne Henry, Adam Jaensch, Steve Burgess and Luke Heggarty worked hard to contain the Magpies forwards who peppered away at the sticks late in the term.

Robertson slotting through his second following defender Hore's indiscretion in the pocket as the Magpies forwards and midfield worked hard to contain play within their offensive zone.

The sides second major looked to have the Magpies up and about before Callanan and Trease stood up in front of goal to extend the Tigers margin out to 16 points before the first siren, 5.2 (32) to 2.4 (16).

Sam Marks opened the Tigers account in the second term, before Robertson added another for the Magpies as the conditions quickly deteriorated with the wind and rain looking to become telling factors.

The Tigers contained the play in their forward 50, however struggled to break through the Magpies defence of Dean Brooks who was pitted against Trease early who looked to be the architect in the forward line, Anthony McMahon, Jon Bell, Bruce Waite and Bobby Marshall.

Immense pressure by the Tigers forwards and engine room resulted in Ben Marks goaling from outside 40 metres after the Magpies backline was turned inside out.

A snap at goal by David Downes recorded Gormandale's seventh, before the Magpies broke through Jesse Bird registering his first midway through the second term, the Tigers taking a 25 point lead into the long changes.

There was little let up in the third the Tigers slamming on six goals to nil.

Higgins provided run, Marino and Jaensch had the Magpies forwards in handcuffs in a top stop job and Callanan took them on.

Gormandale increased its lead from 16 to 25 to 62 points at the breaks, interestingly Glengarry outplayed the Tigers in the final term booting six goals to three 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, Robertson and Josh Piper adding majors.

Dean Pearce left nothing in the locker room, Robertson came in and out of the game taking on various roles finishing the match with five majors and Darren White was busy, but the Magpies never got a roll on.

ELIMINATION FINAL: Blues topple Cougars
With the ledger at one a piece, the Cougars claiming the honours in the side's second clash two weeks ago, it was Rosedale that got the edge midway through the opening term to break away to a handy 18 point lead in the sides knock out final.

The Blues slammed on four unanswered goals before the Cougars responded to come within three kicks at the quarter time siren.

Aiming to mark premiership coach Leigh McDonalds 150th senior match with victory, Churchill's ambitions of securing a fourth consecutive grand final berth hinged on the sides ability to respond to Rosedale's pressure which they mounted from the opening bounce.

Despite their quick run forward the Cougars were unable to execute the start they wanted on the scoreboard early, before the sides levelled scores at seven a piece in a tight opening ten minutes.

The Blues then found their groove led by Rick Galea and Andrew Flanagan in front of goals, Rosedale piled on three unanswered majors as they looked poise to break the game open.

Rosedale's tall timber forward line of Brad and Joe Caldwell, Flanagan and Galea posed plenty of problems for the smaller Cougar defence of Dale Paterson, Nathan Richer, Corey Thomson and Chris Williams.

Pitted against the inform engine room of Chris King, Justin Emery and ruckman John Cantwell Churchill's fleet footed brigade lead by Brandon Mahoney, Joey Whykes and McDonald found themselves working hard for each touch as the Blues executed classy movement across the ground with pinpoint accuracy.

Rosedale built on their 20 point quarter time lead, goals to Brad Caldwell, Emery and Flanagan extending the margin but it was Gerard Barnes that brought the crowd to their feet following a screamer over the pack in the Blues forward line.

Barnes shot at goal missing to the near side; it was followed by consecutive misses with Brad Caldwell missing an easy opportunity.

At the other end of the ground Patersons check side kick at goal kept the Cougars within reach at half time, 9.8 (62) to 6.3 (39).

Churchill came out a side resolved after the long change, the side moving straight from the middle courteous of McDonald with Brad Gibson getting on the other end to seal one of his three majors.

The Cougars quickly drew forward again from the bounce before Rosedale's defence swiftly moved the ball from the back 50, Luke Carpenter splitting the sticks from outside 40 metres.

The goals dried up with both sides missing opportunities Mahoney's kick falling short for Churchill while Joe Caldwell and Flanagan combined to set up what looked set to be a certain goal, Flanagan's kick skimming the top of the pack to be touched over the line.

Each time Churchill looked to challenge Rosedale had the answers as they did all day.

Coming within three kicks of the Blues, Churchill's momentum was squashed by three unanswered majors to Rosedale to take a 35 point lead into the final change.

Two early majors in the opening minutes of the final term one courtesy of Carpenter and Dale Fleming put the result beyond reach.

The flood gates then opened, the final term a whitewash as Rosedale's forwards and midfield lined up in front of goals the side kicking six goals to nil as they kept their foot on the accelerator to run home comfortable victors.

King was instrumental in a dominating performance, Ryan Wissmer kept the Cougars backline in check while Darryl Mayman was a solid option around the ground.
Cougars Paterson worked tirelessly all match with Thomson and Mahoney also notable performers.

WEEK TWO FINALS:
SECOND SEMI FINAL - Sale City V Gormandale, Saturday 28th August, Woodside
FIRST SEMI FINAL - Glengarry V Rosedale, Sunday 29th August, Stratford

By Lauren Carey