First Qualifying Final – Navarre v Natte Bealiba
Navarre has survived a bruising qualifying final encounter with a fired-up Natte Bealiba in the opening round of the MCDFNL's finals series to score an 18-point win.
The Grasshoppers kept their untarnished 2014 season intact with a 13.11 (89) to 11.5 (71) win over the Swans, but it wasn't without cost for the reigning premiers, with Navarre sweating over the fitness of coach Daniel Parkin, who is set to undergo x-rays on his eye socket after a massive head clash with Swans defender Brayden Mills.
Natte was left to rue yet another slow start, after Navarre got the jump on the Swans in the opening quarter, slotting 5.5 (35) to Natte's 3.1 (19), and establishing an 18-point buffer, which the reigning premiers manage to keep intact for almost the entire remainder of the game. The second quarter was a fiery affair between the two fierce rivals, who have established a reputation for staging must-see finals encounters, and this was proving to be no different, with Navarre booting another three goals, while Natte managed two majors, largely thanks to the inspired play of Stephen Ross and Tom Douglas. Navarre carried a 25-point lead into the main break, as it appeared if the Grasshoppers' forward line firepower may blow the Swans away, despite Natte defender Jack Kennedy keeping Grasshoppers spearhead Ash Driscoll in check for much of the game.
The Swans managed to hit back in the third term, coming within 13 points of Navarre, again thanks in large to the continued drive of Natte's midfield and forwards Zac Perez and Ryan Weir, but Navarre, lead by Ben Scott and Louis Hannett, pulled away once more, taking a 31-point lead into the final break.
Again the Swans rallied in the final term, throwing everything they could at Navarre, but breaking through the Grasshoppers' defence proved a bridge too far for the Swans, with the Grasshoppers running out victors.
Scott (four goals), Hannett, Matt Newton, Josh Driscoll and Daniel Reading were the best for the Grasshoppers, while Ash Driscoll (three goals), Cody Driscoll (two) and Sam Robertson (two) were Navarre's main avenues to goal.
Stephen Ross was named Natte's best despite some close attention for the Grasshoppers, along with brother Nathan Ross, Douglas, Ryan Weir and Zac Perez. Weir (four goals) was again Natte's main target in attack, along with Ross (three) and Douglas (two).
Second Qualifying Final – Lexton v Carisbrook
Carisbrook's hot run of form has carried the Redbacks to an MCDFNL preliminary final berth, courtesy of an eight-point win over Lexton in Saturday's second qualifying final.
In a high-class affair between two of the league's top sides at Hedges Oval, the Redbacks' constant pressure on the Tigers proved the difference between the teams, landing Carisbrook a 10.9 (69) to 9.7 (61) win over Lexton, which headed into Saturday's clash as favourites.
The two sides were evenly matched for almost the entirety of the match, beginning in the opening term, with the Tigers taking just a one-point lead into quarter time. The Tigers were dealt a major blow toward the end of the first term however, with midfielder Daniel Chester, who had been the standout player on the ground, going down with a serious knee injury. Carisbrook managed to gain the ascendancy in the second term, with a three-goal second term gaining the Redbacks a nine point lead at half time.
After a spirited address from coach Shane Fisher at half-time, the Tigers came back with renewed vigour, again gaining a one-point lead at three quarter time, but Carisbrook was able to use the breeze to its advantage in the final term, establishing a lead midway through the final term and clinging to its lead to run out winners at the final bell.
Big man Jackson Bowen was a standout for Carisbrook, along with key defender Jeremy McInnes, Andrew Lovett and Hayden Barby, while it was again the Redbacks' small forwards who did the damage on the scoreboard, with Cole Roscholler booting four goals and Liam Cunningham snaring three.
Jimmy Templeton was Lexton's best, alongside the ever-creative Nick Spolding, Damon Aspland, Bryce Karslake and Michael Jennings, while spearhead Matt Brown was the only multiple goalscorer with two majors to his name.
First Elimination Final - Newstead v Talbot
Newstead has won their way into a Semi final berth against Natte-Bealiba next Sunday at Princes Park in the Bendigo Bank Maryborough Castlemaine District FNL after defeating Talbot by 22 points on Sunday.
It was a hard fought contest which was in no way an easy win as the Steaders had to rely on its star power in Mark Ramsey, Daniel Christmas and Adrian Conn to stand up under pressure in the final term. And stand up they did, pulling in a number of strong marks when needed to withstand the Talbot pressure.
Talbot led the game at half time after making very good use of a strong breeze to the band rotunda end kicking the final five goals of the quarter to lead at the main break by ten points.
Newstead’s handling of the ball was very poor in the first half, but the Hawks poor ball handling and turnovers were very costly after half time and Newstead took advantage of the breeze to kick five goals, and to lead at three quarter time by ten points
Talbot would have favoured their chances as they were kicking with the wind in the final quarter, but Newstead’s Adam Hunter and Michael Dalrymple were outstanding and Tom Ruggles and Jayden Bott were very influential players, with the class of the Steaders key players shining through when needed.
Mark Ramsey sealed the game when he kicked his fifth goal from a difficult angle in the scoreboard pocket, as Newstead finished strongly to win the game and set up a semi final showdown with Natte Bealiba next week at Princess Park.
The Hawks will rue a missed opportunity and will now bow out of the final series for 2014, but have made headway into the top eight and will now have something to build on for next season.
Newstead won 15.16.106 to 13.6.84
Second Elimination Final - Royal Park v Campbells Creek
Royal Park was never really troubled when they set up their win over Campbells Creek with a six goal opening quarter in the Elimination Final at Hedges Oval on Sunday.
Creek kicked the first goal of the game through Adam Pollock, but the Tigers went on a rampage and kicked the next five goals including two goals apiece to Jay Anderson and Jacob Cahill.
From quarter time onwards, the Tigers always had the game in its keeping, although the remainder of the game was a more evenly contested battle with the Tigers only scoring six more goals to four goals to Creek.
Jay Anderson returned to the Tigers lineup and starred as he had the ball on a string and set up many attacking moves and finished the day with three goals to his name. Jacob Cahill was another who stood out up forward and finished with three goals as well, while Jimmy Shelton was solid in defense.
Ross Slater and James Boag tried hard all day for the Creekers, as did Jayden Molloy and Brandon Greenwood, while Adam Pollock finished the day with four goals.
Royal Park will now meet Lexton in the Battle of the Tigers in next Saturday’s Semi Final at Princes Park, while the season comes to an end for Campbells Creek.
Royal Park 12.14.86 def Campbells Creek 6.13.49
Last Modified on 01/09/2014 12:46