FOOTBALL

NORTH GIPPSLAND

By LIAM DURKIN

 

THE second week of North Gippsland Football-Netball League finals came and went on the weekend, and so to did some clubs premiership aspirations.

Traralgon Tyers United and Woodside once again featured in another classic, while Heyfield and Rosedale were fighting for their lives on Sunday.

 

SECOND SEMI FINAL

TTU 11.9 (75) def Woodside 10.10 (70)

IT could be an even bigger yacht party for the TTU boys this year.

They will be hoping to have something extra for company as well.

TTU won through to its fourth successive North Gippsland grand final at the weekend, after defeated Woodside in a classic second-semi final.

The added task of playing the Wildcats on their home turf did not deter the Bombers, who won 11.9 (75) to 10.10 (70).

A reported three to five goal wind toward the clubrooms at Woodside Recreation Reserve played some havoc, and was reflected in the quarter-by-quarter scores up until halftime.

TTU kicked five goals to start, before the Wildcats added three heading into the sheds.

Both teams played with seven-eight men defences to try and counter the wind.

The Bombers’ early ascendancy however proved decisive, allowing them to lead at every change.

Woodside mounted a spirited comeback in the last term, chewing away at a 20-point deficit to get within five points.

As it is however, the Wildcats will have to do as they did last season, going the long way to the grand final before potentially lifting the premiership cup.

TTU meanwhile appears to have most things working for them.

The Bombers now have a week off, and a full list to choose from as its reserves are also through to the last game.

The TTU twos caused a boil over in the second semi-final, beating the previously undefeated Heyfield (how often does it happen).

Liam Michie was best-afield in the main game, and has himself a third grand final in as many years to look forward to.

No doubt part of his motivation this year’s will be to win for his younger brother Caleb, who has suffered a wretched run with injury.

Caleb missed the 2023 triumph through injury, and will miss this year with a similar fate. Adding further insult, he played in last year’s losing grand final.

Woodside should be confident of setting up a rematch, given they are, in most league pundits eyes, simply a better side than Heyfield.

That being said, the preliminary final is at Gordon Street, and the Kangaroos will have the weight of support behind them as every football grade is playing.

Luke Johnson, Adam Janssen, Ryan Foat, Michael Stockdale, Rob Michaelides and Jeremy Morgan were best for the Wildcats in the semi-final.

Woodside will surely have motivation of their own and win for one of their favourite sons, Daniel Missen, who was away for last year’s breakthrough premiership.

 

FIRST SEMI FINAL

Heyfield 9.14 (68) def Rosedale 8.8 (56)

HEYFIELD narrowly avoided going out in straight sets.

The Kangaroos were made to work hard for victory against Rosedale in Sunday’s semi-final, 9.14 (68) to 8.8 (56).

Having worked hard all season to secure a double chance, Heyfield at times looked like they might be victims of a ‘classic stitch up’, needing to beat Rosedale on their home ground in a sudden death semi.

The Kangaroos trailed by three points at the main break, before slamming on five goals to two to take a handy 17 point lead at the last change.

The lead was enough in an eventual 12 point result.

Heyfield gambled by playing leading forward Darren Sheen in his first game since Round 12, but it paid off, with the big man booting four goals.

Sheen was the Kangaroos’ only multiple goal kicker.

On the other side, Spencer Fox kicked just as many for Rosedale.

Both were among their sides best players, in what was a day full of drama that saw the reserves clash between Yallourn Yallourn North and Woodside go to extra time.

Heyfield was perhaps also fortunate to have Mitch Stevens available.

The Heyfield local and Victoria Country representative (who has reportedly already been provisionally signed by Adelaide, the club where his father, Mark won a premiership with in 1998), played just his third game for his home club at the weekend.

As he is still under 18 however, he was eligible to play under AFL Victoria by-laws which count representative games toward a player reaching the four matches required for ‘home club’ finals qualification.

Thomas Marchesi, Rob McMillan, Marcus Sunderman and Caleb Ronan also contributed.

Joining Fox in the best for Rosedale was Brandon McConnell, Luke Stuckey, Thomas Northe, Rohan Diamond and Riley Atlee.