NEWBOROUGH was too strong for Boolarra in Mid Gippsland football, beating the Demons 10.7 (67) to 7.4 (46).
Newborough took hold of the game early kicking three goals to nil in the opening term.
The Demons matched it with the Bulldogs in the second quarter, kicking two goals apiece, but again could not keep up in the third quarter, as Newborough built a five-goal lead going into the final term.
Boolarra came harder in the last quarter, outscoring the Bulldogs four goals to one, but it was not enough to make up the difference.
With Newborough’s percentage keeping it secure in second and Boolarra clear in fifth either way by two games or more, these team’s ladder positions were not going to be affected by a win or loss.
The Bulldogs will take confidence from the win going into a big clash against Yinnar next Saturday, while Boolarra will do some soul searching before tackling Trafalgar.
Thorpdale v YYN
THORPDALE ended the season on a high note, completing back-to-back wins with a comfortable victory over Yallourn Yallourn North, 13.8 (86) to 4.5 (29).
Although both teams were well out of finals contention it was clear they had plenty to play for and just a goal separated the teams at quarter time.
After starting the quarter goal-for-goal, the Blues managed to create a 21-point lead with two goals in quick succession toward the end of the term.
This pattern was repeated in the third quarter as the Blues kicked away.
Thorpdale left nothing on the park in the last quarter and booted four more to take home the points.
Blues coach Brett Sherriff said he was pleased his side could take the previous round’s strong performance against Boolarra into its match against the Bombers.
“Our last two weeks have been really good. We really used the ball (and) as a group we actually played four quarters,” Sherriff said.
The day was already special for the Blues, whose club president Mick Hammond played his 600th game in the reserves earlier that day.
The reserves lost, but it did not wipe the smile off Hammond’s face.
The Blues finished in seventh with six wins, a significant improvement from one win and the wooden spoon last year, but well short of the finals place they were aiming for.
Meanwhile YYN received the spoon but can only improve from here and look to next year with positivity.
Trafalgar v Hill End
TRAFALGAR edged out Hill End in a low scoring match to go into finals on the back of a win, 5.11 (41) to 4.3 (27).
Hill End continued to pressure as it did against Newborough and was just a point behind the Bloods at quarter-time.
The Bloods looked wayward in the second quarter, scoring just one goal from four shots to be 10 points ahead, while the Hillmen went scoreless.
The teams wrestled to kick a goal each more and a few behinds in the third quarter and entered the final term with the four points still up for grabs.
Hill End could not make up the difference in the final quarter and went down, finishing the season on eight wins in sixth position.
Mirboo North v Yarragon
MIRBOO North earned the minor premiership, topping off its home and away season with a thumping win over Yarragon, 29.28 (202) to 3.1 (19).
The Tigers got out to a flying start, kicking five goals, eight behinds in the first quarter and prevented Yarragon from scoring. The wayward kicks continued in the second quarter, with the Tigers kicking more to the side than through the middle, but it meant little as the ladder leader stretched its lead to eight goals.
Mirboo North continued the onslaught in the second half to more than double its score.
Tiger Tim Trail racked up the magical century, kicking 14 to bring his tally to 101 and top the goal kicker’s ladder.
Mirboo North will go into the finals with confidence and, after a well-deserved break, will play the winner of Newborough and Yinnar.
Yarragon will have the off-season to build up its depleted stocks which forced them to forfeit in the reserves.
Yinnar v Morwell East
YINNAR secured third position with a 105-point win over Morwell East, 16.28 (124) to 3.1 19.
Knowing a big win would keep third position out of Trafalgar’s reach, Yinnar started well, getting out to a three-goal lead at quarter-time. The Magpies stretched the advantage in the second quarter, holding the Hawks again to just one goal, while kicking five of their own.
Yinnar continued to dominate for the last half and finished the home and away season looking dangerous for the other finals teams this year.
Morwell East finished the season with four wins in eighth position and with work to do before 2014.
