Qualifying Final
Newborough v Yinnar
YINNAR carried a lead carved out in the first quarter to the last siren and thoroughly beat Newborough 13.12 (90) to 7.6 (48) at home on Saturday in Mid Gippsland finals.
Yinnar coach Sam McCulloch said the Magpies had made good starts a focus and had been coming out of the blocks well the past two months. “We knew that Newborough started well as well so we felt that if we didn’t start well they’d probably put us on the back foot, so we put a lot of focus into our start,” McCulloch said.
McCulloch said his team’s consistency over four quarters also helped it win.
Newborough coach Allan Chandler said his side “never got a look in” trailing Yinnar in many areas from the start.
“We got outplayed in most areas, didn’t respond very well, too many players had bad days…full credit to them they were very good and we’ve got a bit of work to do,” Chandler said.
Yinnar goes through to the second semi-final to take on Mirboo North, while Newborough will face Trafalgar in the first semi-final.
In the reserves just two points separated Yinnar and Mirboo North at the start of the last quarter, but Mirboo North pulled away in the final 10 minutes to seal the win and go through to the second semi against Newborough, 7.5 (47) to 4.10 (34).
Thorpdale’s thirds put in a big second half effort to defeat Yinnar, 10.9 (69) to 3.9 (27).
Newborough trailed all match and lost to Yarragon 10.9 (69) to 3.3 (21) in the fourths.
Elimination Final
Trafalgar v Boolarra
TRAFALGAR hung on to record a four point win over Boolarra yesterday at a gusty Hill End, 7.9 (51) to 6.1 (47).
Trafalgar made the most of the wind and built a three goal lead by quarter-time.
Boolarra was able to peg it back to six points by half-time, with Trafalgar unable to score into the wind.
The Demons managed to kick some goals against the gale in the third quarter, but Trafalgar did enough to finish the term 17 points in front.
Trafalgar did not score in the last quarter as they flooded men back to Boolarra’s forward 50.
The Demons managed two goals despite the attention but could not find a winner and Trafalgar lived to fight another day.
Trafalgar coach Chris Kyriacou said a complete team effort and whatever-it-takes attitude helped his side to the win.
“It was a game of one half, we knew it was going to be. We took our chances when we had them and blew a lot of them at the same time,” Kyriacou said.
Boolarra coach Tony Giardina said it was disappointing to “play the better footy for three quarters” but not come away with the win as the wind caused havoc.
Giardina said having nine of their best 21 unavailable for selection made it difficult to play at the top level.
With the 2013 season over for Boolarra seniors, Giardina and the Demons will look to next year, with most injured players set to return.
It was a different story in the reserves where Boolarra ended up on top of Trafalgar, 6.8 (44) to 5.7 (37).
Newborough’s thirds had a comfortable win over Trafalgar 12.19 (91) to 2.3 (15).
And in the fourths Mirboo North’s last quarter efforts saw it snatch back the lead from Yallourn Yallourn North to win 5.7 (37) to 4.3 (27).
Netball
BOOLARRA defeated Morwell East in a nail-biting qualifying final, 51-50.
The Demons scored a goal as the whistle sounded to avoid overtime.
Yarragon’s steady shooters tamed a strong wind to defeat Thorpdale 35-30 in the elimination final.
