With many pundits predicting reigning premiers Sale City would follow the same path as last season to advance to the Grand Final, many underestimated the resolve of GLENGARRY.
Sitting out the first week of finals following on from a near-faultless home and away season, the Dogs were tested from the mid mark of the opening term, with the Magpies handing Sale City their first defeat of the season to secure a grand final berth for the first time in 11 seasons.
The Dogs managed to stay on level terms in a dogged first half at Woodside, before Glengarry clicked into gear in the third term, piling on the first two goals of the quarter to open up 35 point lead.
Glengarry's control of the game was ensured by their midfield dominance, the Magpies more than doubling the Dogs in the disposal count and in the number of times they moved the ball into attack in the match winning premiership third term.
The Dogs started strongly registering the first two majors, Brad McKay and Justin McLay running into open goals. Glengarry responded with Aaron Winkler and Shaun Barnes scoring.
City's Joel Brayshaw made his presence felt early, consecutive majors in a purple patch quickly resulted in Glengarry's tactics changing as he quickly became a marked man. Brayshaw's second a snap round the body put the Dogs in front, before Magpie duo Brad Smith and Jack Robertson opened their accounts.
The second term saw the Magpies slowly build on their lead. Taking a 23 point lead into the main change, Magpies coach Josh King wanted more from his side knowing the importance the that continued pressure had on extinguishing the reigning premiers spark.
"That was a very very good hour of footy, the things we have talked about are what is getting us in front.
"Getting first to the ball, our ball use that quarter was better than in the first, our delivery into the forward line was great. We need to make sure we stay in front, bring the ball defensively from defence.
"This could be the best day of our lives. We have one hell of an hour of footy to go, we can taste it, so what are you going to do?" asked King of his chargers at half time.
The Magpies responded Barnes with the opener of the premiership term it was followed by the Magpies second as the underdogs extended their lead to one of the biggest of the match six goals.
Pat Rowe looked to respond for City his shot missing to the near side before Tollner responded to keep the Dogs within arms reach.
But it was quickly answered a strong mark within scoring distance resulted in a coach's goal to King, with Barnes adding another to his haul.
The usual faultless Dogs began to buckle under the pressure, the back six stretched as they worked hard to restrict Glengarry's key forwards.
Out chased and tackled, the Dogs worked the ball cautiously from defence to hand Jake Schuback his third. Milham slotted through one of two in the final term, which saw the Dogs match the Magpies on the scoreboard.
However the damage was inflicted in the second term as the Magpies momentum and confidence grew, Glengarry advancing to the grand final 20.9 (129) to City's 15.8 (98).
Glengarry were well served by Shaun Barnes who played one of his best games in the Magpies gurnsey, he had a number of players pitted against him throughout the match with his height and his accurate kick proving to trouble the Dogs. Barnes finishing the match with a career high eight majors.
Midfielders Ryan Potter, Brad Smith and Dean Brooks ensured the Magpies got first use of the ball with Aaron Winkler and Luke Forbes sharing the ruck duties. Lachlan Little, Anthony McMahon and Dean Pearce combined well to shut down City's danger forwards.
Forwards Mark Engley, Darren White and King scored seven majors between them in a strong performance which attracted plenty of attention from City's defence of Tom Bowman, Tim Dimarco and Abe Schuback.
City Captain Beau Wilson led from the front, with Jesse Broadbent and Ben Chivers solid.
City coach Nick Hider was a standout for the Dogs, acting as a barometer his dogged efforts in the midfield sparking his side on a number of occasions. Justin McLay and Luke McNally provided plenty of run in the middle of the ground with Jake Schuback and Jake Milham staunch performers in the forward line.
Missing a number of experienced campaigners from their line-up, Citys young pups Rowe and Bowman stood tall against more experienced opponents, with the future of the club in good hands.
FIRST SEMI FINAL - Invincible Saints to meet reigning premiers
COWWARR ensured their premiership ambitions remain alive after surviving the elimination final by bursting out of the blocks, with the result all but confirmed by half time.
Making easy pickings of the opposition, holding Churchill to five goals in the opening half, the Saints took a 46 point lead into the long change and didn't let up in the premiership term slamming on seven goals to three with the final term a formality.
The Saints were predictably in charge from the outset and always had the Cougars measure, winning 20.12 (138) to 12.7 (79).
Chris Stasinowsky kicked five with David Ivey chipping in with three as Cowwarr advanced to a preliminary final showdown against reigning premiers and flag favourites Sale City.
Stasinowsky was the standout forward with his bag; champagne forward Brad McBride had plenty of the ball finishing with two, while captain Luke Cooper, Jordon Bourke and Reece Busse starred in the midfield.
While the Saints performance and dominance was a talking point in itself, it was Stasinowsky's screamer that had the crowd talking. The Saint flying into the clouds to pull down the mark of the season if not the past decade to stroll back to score from on the 50 metre mark.
Best on ground Bourke was outstanding in the engine room, while defenders Kevin Hood and Brett McMaster formed an impenetrable backline which held the Cougars danger forwards of Brendan Holt, Tim Darby and the fleet footed brigade of Joey Whykes and Nic Campbell to seven goals between them.
The Saints dominated the centre clearance count, as they drilled the ball direct into the potent forward line of Ivey, Stasinowsky and McBride.
Churchill's defence of James Larkin, Travis Brighton, Chris Williams and Jarrod Broadbent felt the effects of the Saints quick delivery into their attacking 50 from the opening bounce. The Cougars back six worked hard to contain the onslaught, which saw the Saints capitalise on Churchill's somewhat selfish play early in the first term.
The Saints piled on seven majors to two in the opening term, it was a precession of goals before Darby broke through to register a major to Churchill as he looked to steady the ship.
Down by over seven goals at half time, the Cougars needed to dig deep and start the third term on the front foot.
But it was the Saints that did just that, carrying on from where they left off in the opening half kicking a further seven for the term to take an unbeatable 11 goal lead into the final change of ends.
The final term was a formality the Saints peppering away at the goals, Churchill registered late goals to youngster Christopher Williams and full forward Brendan Holt but were left rueing numerous missed opportunities and poor choices over the course of the afternoon.
Churchill defender Larkin was a tireless figure in defence, Darby worked hard to provide a spark up forward and Brendan Mahoney created pace around the contest working hard in the midfield.
By Lauren Carey
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