Morwell East’s finals run comes to an end

Newborough has bounced back from last week’s loss to Yallourn-Yallourn North to end preliminary final foe Morwell East’s season and book a rematch against the Bombers in the grand final.

The Bulldogs eventually triumphed 13.7 (85) to the Hawks’ 10.11 (71) at Trafalgar Recreation Reserve, in a match where they had to fight hard to shake off a persistent challenge from the East.

There were moments when an upset looked likely as Morwell East, who led up to seven minutes into the third quarter, took the game up to Newborough.

Kicking to the southern end, the Hawks’ Brayden Darby-Lock marked and goaled to give Morwell East the first score, before Brendan Evans added to the total to make it two goals.

Newborough came fighting back with a stunning mark from Ash Dugan, who went on to kick the Bulldogs first goal, which was followed by goals from Thomas Wilson and Josh Pearce.

Shaun Barnes was in ominous form with two goals for Morwell East – the second a raking left-footer from 50 metres – and 18 minutes into proceedings there were six goals on the board, with three apiece.

Pearce scored his second as the siren rang, with the teams heading into the change with Morwell East 4.3 (27) to Newborough 4.1 (25).

The Bulldogs had plenty of players round the ball in the second term forcing Morwell East to defend as Newborough came forward.

Darby-Lock goaled for the East after a tackle – but it was goal-for-goal, with little separating the two teams on the scoreboard.

It soon became the Barnes show, after he scored two more for the Hawks in as many minutes, before Pearce responded with his second.

Jarrod Lont scored the Hawk’s seventh, before Morwell East added two more.

Not to be outdone, Newborough’s Liam Corolan slotted one of his own to peg Morwell East back to a 12-point lead at the main change.

At half-time the scoreboard read Newborough 7.4 (46) to the Hawks’ 9.4 (58).

Pearce capitalised on a 50m penalty minutes after the resumption of play to put the pressure back on the Hawks and by the seventh minute the Bulldogs had wiped off the deficit. Newborough began to take control after a Joel Mitchell goal put them into the lead for the first time.

Mitchell soon slotted his second to turn a two goal deficit into a two goal advantage.

Darby-Lock replied with his second, but a miss by Lachlan White on the siren saw Newborough five points up at three-quarter time, 11.6 (72) to Morwell East 10.7 (67).

It took just eight minutes for Newborough to turn the screws a bit tighter.

Josh Hecker, who had been in everything, got Newborough further ahead when he goaled to give his team a 10-point advantage.

Morwell East couldn’t find the big gaps and only minor scores resulted and at one point both teams had 19 effective shots at goal.

Newborough controlled the ball as time ticked away and the Dogs held on to book a grand final date against YYN on Saturday at Morwell Recreation Reserve.

RESERVES: Mirboo North v Newborough

Newborough will meet Yallourn-Yallourn North in Saturday’s Mid Gippland Football League reserves grand final after downing Mirboo North in Saturday’s preliminary final.

By the time the siren went, the Bulldogs had comprehensively beaten their opponents, 8.15 (63) to the Tigers’ 5.6 (36).

Mirboo North was first to score with a minor, but it was the Bulldog’s Jake Bowden who scored the first goal of proceedings in the 19th minute.

The Tigers replied on the siren and the Bulldogs held a narrow lead after a low-scoring quarter, 1.5 (11) to Mirboo North’s 1.1 (7).

Light rain set in for a few minutes and made the ball difficult to mark, with Newborough doing plenty of attacking but failing to convert on the scoreboard.

That changed when a goal square scrimmage allowed Lachlan Fanning to goal, with Bailey Young soon following suit.

A scoreless quarter from Mirboo North saw the Dogs led 3.11 (29) to 1.1 (7) at half-time.

Bowden and Fanning both scored their second when play resumed and by three-quarter time Newborough were ahead 6.13 (49) to 2.4 (16).

Newborough continued to dominate, but three consolation goals meant the Tigers managed to bring the losing margin to 27 points.

THIRDS: Newborough v Mirboo North

Minor premiers Mirboo North has advanced to the thirds grand final in emphatic style after keeping Newborough goalless throughout proceedings.

The Tigers will now take on Yinnar in next week’s grand final.

The Tigers led at every change to finish 11.13 (79) to the Bulldogs’ 0.5 (5), in a match where find was a factor for both sides.

At the end of the first quarter Mirboo North were ahead 2.3 (15) to 0.1 (1) and there was no respite when play resumed.

By half-time the Tigers had a commanding 4.5 (29) to 0.3 (3) lead over their opponents.

The Tigers’ dominance continued in the third quarter, with Mirboo North booting five majors and two behinds to Newborough’s three behinds.

During the final term Mirboo North added two majors and five minors, while the Bulldogs failed to add to their tally.

FOURTHS: Mirboo North v Yinnar

Mirboo North will take on Newborough in the fourths grand final after overcoming Yinnar in extra time.

At three-quarter time, Mirboo Nth led 6.3 (39) to the Magpies’ 5.5 (35).

With four minutes to play Yinnar had a chance, but kicked into the man on the mark and were cleared by Mirboo North.

Yinnar goaled with less than two minutes on the clock and at the final siren both teams were it was a 6.5 (41) draw.

Extra time had to be played but there was no score in first period, but Mirboo North scored a goal with one-and-a-half minutes to go in the second period to win 7.5 (47) to Yinnar 6.5 (41).