RELATED COVERAGE: Split decision on Yarram
Qualifying Final
Glengarry v TTU
GLENGARRY handed coach Ryan Potter his first finals victory in a blistering performance against Traralgon Tyers United in Saturday’s North Gippsland qualifying final.
Led by Ben Nicholson, Lochie Little and experienced campaigners Josh King and Dean Brooks in a defining second quarter, the Magpies made their mark slamming home four majors to one to establish a match-winning 29-point lead at the main change.
Despite the Magpies’ inaccuracy in front of goal, which saw the side finish the contest with a remarkable 35 shots for a return of 11 majors, the ever reliable King was the standout booting five majors while Robbie Cahill chipped in with two.
In its first finals appearance in more than nine seasons, TTU registered the first score of the match before scoring dried up.
Suddenly it was one way traffic as the Magpies packed numbers around the stoppages, with their rovers reading the taps better than the Bombers who pumped the ball into a wide open forward line. Minutes remained in the term before Glengarry broke through to register its first major, but TTU quickly followed suit scoring from the responding centre bounce to trail by five points at the first change.
The arm wrestle continued in the second term; TTU’s Wade McNeill made a costly blunder when he brought the ball back into play, only for King and Ross McDermott to swoop as the latter slotted through the Magpies’ second. It started a procession of majors.
King snapped another before TTU’s Brad Munro reeled one back.
But as quickly as TTU found the scoreboard and mounted a challenge, the Magpies responded when Potter found King who snapped a goal from 10 metres out.
King added his third ahead of half-time to establish a commanding 29-point lead in trying conditions.
Turning it up in the third term, Bombers coach Matt Stolarczyk made a number of strategic moves as his side looked to turn the tables. It worked instantly as Graham combined with the coach to score the opening major of the second half. Undisciplined play by Wangman gifted Stolarczyk his first, mirrored at the other end as King made the most of a free kick and 50 metre penalty.
The final quarter was a one-sided affair. Glengarry slammed home a further five majors to register a comprehensive 11.24 (90) to 4.3 (27) victory.
Elimination Final
Rosedale v Churchill
ONE point separated Rosedale and Churchill at the final change of ends in a thrilling elimination final yesterday.
It was all the Cougars early with four unanswered goals ahead of the quarter-time siren.
Rosedale’s Jack Wyhoon finally opened the Blues scoring, which was doubled when Andrew Flanagan crashed the pack to gain possession and snap true.
The second term belonged to Rosedale as it reeled in the Cougars’ nine-point lead to turn the tables and take a four-point lead of its own into the main change. Fittingly it was Flanagan’s third major which handed the Blues the lead.
The two key forwards for both teams, Churchill’s Brendan Holt and Flanagan, had a field day as they created headaches for the opposition backlines.
Rosedale slotted through the first major of the third term as the frenetic pace intensified.
A rare miss by Holt saw the Blues move the ball from the back 50 forward with Scott scoring from the turnover.
As the Blues threatened to run away, Holt slotted through one of his six for the contest to reel the margin back to a straight kick.
Tim Darby and Neil Thompson combined minutes later, however Thompson’s shot at goal failed to level the scores.
Under intense pressure from the Churchill forwards, Chris Graham and Rohan Diamond moved it quickly from defence for Scott to score from the goal square. The Cougars quickly responded, but Rosedale added another through Flanagan who out muscled opponent Daniel Hawking to receive a free kick.
Holt added his fourth at the other end but had little support as teammates Mick Higgins and Chris Williams missed crucial shots, and one point was the difference at the final change.
Held quiet for three terms, Brad Caldwell’s first of two goals sparked the Blues.
Flanagan blew the margin out to 13 points, but it was short lived as Brad Knowles lost his tag to run forward and goal.
Caldwell added his second and the see-saw pattern continued when Holt responded for Churchill.
Flanagan’s sixth put an end to the Cougars’ challenge and was followed by majors to Hayden Mowat and Jake Power as the Blues scored the knockout, 18.12 (120) to 12.17 (89).
FIXTURE
SECOND SEMI-FINAL
Heyfield v Glengarry
Saturday, Rosedale
FIRST SEMI-FINAL
TTU v Rosedale
Sunday, Heyfield
