FINALs - week 1 Review
Magnificent spring weather greeted week one of the SS&A OMFNL finals with Myrtleford eliminated in the football and Albury in the netball.
Wangaratta Rovers playing its first finals since 2014 were as impressive as any of the four teams in action with a business like 22-point win over Myrtleford at the Albury Sportsground on Sunday. The first quarter was one of the best of the season with Rovers booting six goals to five as the ball pinged from one end to the other.
Alex Marklew kicked three of his five goals in that quarter and along with Tom Boyd (four goals) they looked the most potent and dangerous for the Rovers all season. Jack Gerrish relished the conditions to be best afield that included a game sealing fifty-metre goal in the last quarter to derail the Saints comeback.
In midfield Brodie Filo, Todd Bryant, and a penetrating Sam Murray off half back played a massive part in the Rovers mid game dominance. Rovers young defender Jase McQuade continues to build his supporter base with a superb display keeping Saints Riley Sharp to little impact. The Saints finished strongly in the final term to outscore the Hawks, but the margin and damage had been done in the second and third quarters when Rovers had 17 – 4 scoring shots.
Yarrawonga held off a gritty performance from Albury to win a dour and ugly qualifying final at the WJ Findlay Oval in Wangaratta. In front of just under 2400 spectators the two old rivals played out yet another thrilling finish for the third time this season. The injury ravished Tigers fell just five points short of an upset win as both sides could manage just six goals each with eleven of the twelve game goals coming at the northern end.
Yarrawonga win came at a huge price with Michael Gibbons injuring a hamstring to add to his season of ill luck, after a calf complaint, then an ankle injury stalled his season.
The Pigeons after trailing at three quarter time almost through the game away with an errant 1-7 in a tense final term. Albury had played its best football in the third term where they kicked half their match goals in a five-minute burst.
Jack Sexton with thirty possessions was the Pigeons best with Willie Wheeler and big man Lachie Howe working well around the clearances. Riley Bice, Jess Wilson, Lachie Taylor-Nugent, and Connor O’Sullivan played important roles for the Tigers while Shaun Daly played a terrific role curbing Leigh Masters impact. Leigh Williams was held by Lucas Conlan to just two goals. Pigeons big man Lachie Howe was outstanding and kept the ball rolling forward in the tight finish.
The Pigeons advance to the Second Semi-final this Saturday where they take on Wangaratta who look set to miss full back Jamie Anderson for the remainder of the season. Albury now go into a sudden death clash with the inform Wangaratta Rovers on Sunday at Martin Park, Wodonga.
The Tigers will be sweating on the outcome of a report that will see star midfielder Fletcher Carroll front the tribunal for striking Harry Wheeler in the second quarter. Carroll was sent from the field for fifteen minutes after starting to impact the game. Wheeler played out the match.
Yarrawonga broke its season losing hoodoo against Lavington with a comfortable all the way win by eleven goals in a super impressive performance.
Led superbly by defender Hannah Symes and a mid-court masterclass from Kylie Leslie they opened up a ten-goal lead by halftime before winning 51-40. Bridget Cassar netted 24 goals, with Maddie Allan and Sarah Senini playing great support roles to advance the Pigeons to a second semi-final this Saturday against Corowa Rutherglen. The Panthers improved showing in the second half will give them confidence in next week’s semi-final but can’t afford another slow start.
2018 and 2019 defending premiers Wangaratta have kept alive its title defence with a thrilling three goal win over a tenacious Albury Tigers.
Albury who trailed by ten goals at quarter time stormed back to lead by two goals at three quarter time with Alison Meani and Sarah Jones leading the charge.
Liv Richards and Issy Byrne led the Wangaratta side back in front and played some crucial roles in the gripping finish with Richards ability to intercept being pivotal.
Meani finished with 29 goals for Albury, while at the other end Georgia Clark netted 28 and Amy Byrne 11 for the Magpies. Wangaratta now take on Lavington this Sunday in the first semi-final.
