FOOTBALL

NORTH GIPPSLAND

BY DAVID BRAITHWAITE

 

FOR the third year in a row, Traralgon-Tyers United will take on Woodside for the North Gippsland senior football premiership.

The Bombers and Wildcats will clash in the grand final this Saturday at Gaskin Park, Churchill.

For the Bombers, who advanced to the grand final after defeating the Wildcats in the second semi-final final, it will be their fourth appearance in the big game in as many seasons.

 

Woodside 20.11 (131) def Heyfield 8.8 (56)

The Wildcats bounced back from that semi-final loss to book its grand final spot with a dominant victory over Heyfield in the preliminary final on Saturday.

Conditions at the Gordon Street Reserve, Heyfield, were ideal for football, and it looked like the Kangaroos, playing on their home deck, would take the match up to Woodside, booting the opening two goals. However, once the Wildcats got in their stride, they were virtually unstoppable – kicking 16 goals in a row on their way to a 20.11 (131) to 8.8 (56) victory.

The Kangaroos had the bulk of possession early, with Darren Sheen awarded a free kick before kicking the opening goal in the seventh minute.

Eight minutes later, Sheen sent the ball to Kodie Woodland, whose goal from an angle appeared to have the Kangaroos on their way. That was as good as it would get for Heyfield.

The Wildcats lifted their run and restricted the Kangaroos’ ability to get the ball into their forward line.

Heyfield could have gone three goals up, but the umpire determined the ball was touched off the boot by a Woodside player. From the ensuing kick-in, the Wildcats got the ball to the middle of the ground, with Michael O’Sullivan, with the help of a 50-metre penalty, booting their first goal.

Following a quick transition out of defence, Woodside kicked its second goal during time-on, with Brody Stainer booting the first of his nine majors for the day to draw the scores level at quarter-time.

With a tenacious attack on the ball, Woodside took control of the match during the second term, kicking six unanswered goals through captain Jeremy Morgan, O’Sullivan (two), Stainer (two) and Luke Johnson. The Kangaroos had their chances to respond, but didn’t make the most of their two scoring shots.

The Wildcats went into the sheds for half-time leading by 36 points, and were keen to resume the action for the second half, but were left waiting by a Kangaroos sides presumably being given choice words by their coach Leigh Brown.

The pattern of the second term continued during the third, with the Woodside defenders giving little room for the Heyfield forwards to get the ball.

The Wildcats kicked eight goals for the quarter before Sheen finally won a marking contest and kicked the Kangaroos’ third goal of the match just ahead of three-quarter-time. That Sheen goal ended a run of 16 consecutive Woodside goals, with the Wildcats having extended their lead to 81 points with a quarter to play.

With the result a foregone conclusion, Woodside kicked three of the first five goals of the final quarter. To their credit, the Kangaroos didn’t let up, kicking four of the final five majors to win the quarter and reduce the deficit to 75 points by full-time.

Best-on-ground Morgan, along with Adam Janssen and Joh Fythe, gave the Wildcats plenty of run. Stainer and O’Sullivan were outstanding in attack, finishing with nine and four respectively, while veteran Ryan Foat helped restrict the Kangaroos forwards.

Heyfield was well-served by Thomas Marchesi, Tarant Rose and Jack Christian across half-back, half-forward Caleb Ronan, and midfielders Kail Hole and Robert McMillan. Sheen kicked three goals.

While the Kangaroos can now look to 2026, the Wildcats have another grand final to play against TTU. These sides have split the previous two premiership deciders – who will go ahead on the ledger this Saturday?

 

TTU and Woodside will also meet in the reserves grand final.

Both sides advanced with victories over Heyfield, which went through the home-and-away season undefeated.

While the Wildcats needed extra time to win their semi-final, they advanced to the grand final with a three-goal win in the preliminary final, 7.8 (50) to 4.8 (32).

Josh Scott, Harry Foat and Braydn Wilson stood-out for the Wildcats, while Murray Casella, Scott Donahoe and Scott Anderson were the Kangaroos’ best players.

 

THERE was better news for Heyfield in the thirds, where a goal with a minute to play giving the Kangaroos a 9.17 (71) to 10.5 (65) victory over Rosedale. The Kangaroos will now play undefeated Churchill in the grand final.

Blake Lindrea, Jacob Hanratty and Seth Jones were best for Heyfield, with Ryan Dickson, Cooper O’Brien, Lincoln Henry best for the Blues.

 

NGFNL Grand Final

Saturday, September 13 @ Gaskin Park, Churchill

Gates open @ 7am

Entry: via Manning Drive (exit via Switchback Road)

Parking: Around Gaskin 1 (three cars deep), extra parking at Gaskin 2 and surrounds

Seniors: TTU v Woodside (2.15pm)

Reserves: TTU v Woodside (11.45am)

Thirds: Churchill v Heyfield (9.30am)

A Grade: Churchill v Sale City (2.20pm)

B Grade: Sale City v Woodside (1pm)

C Grade: TTU v Sale City (11.50am)

D Grade: Sale City v Churchill (10.50am)

17 & Under: TTU v Sale City (9.45am)

15 & Under: Sale City v Woodside (8.45am)