Second Semi Final – Lexton v Royal Park
Lexton have progressed through to another Preliminary Final after ending Royal Park’s season in the Second Semi Final last Saturday, winning by 19 points.
Lexton completely dominated Royal Park in the early stages of the game but inaccuracy around the goal mouth kept the door ajar for the local Tigers team.
Damon Aspland took advantage of a Trent Pye turnover to score Lexton’s opening goal of the game. Lachlan Murray had the ball on a string for Lexton and kicked the second goal of the game at the 14 minute mark, but missed two shots on goal that he would normally slot with ease. Lexton had the majority of play and it was a great string of handballs down the lakeside wing that saw Nathan Barnes slot the Tigers fourth goal of the term and a lead of 24 points at quarter time.
Lexton continued to maintain the upper hand in the second quarter and goals to Justin Hobson and Matt Brown increased the lead at half time to 30 points. Royal Park’s forwards were being embarrassed by the Lexton defence as the local team were unable to score a goal in the first half of the game despite nine scoring shots in the opening half all registering minor scores.
Royal Park came alive after half time as Jake Pring goaled in the opening minute of the third quarter, followed by another to James Sutherland as Royal Park were to give Lexton a 32 point lead at three quarter time.
Royal Park dominated the centre square in the final term led by Stefan Pye who won numerous clearances out of the middle, and it was Jake Pring that once again kicked the opening goal of the term, but it was quickly answered by a goal from Damon Aspland and Lexton looked to be sailing to the finish, But the Royal Park forwards who had been well held all day, provided a comeback for the Royal Park faithful.
Murray Bond had hardly touched the ball all day and started to gain some distance from Cohan Poulton who had worn him like a glove all day. Bond goaled at the seven minute mark, then Josh Brown kicked his only goal for the game a minute later, and all of a sudden the game was alive again.
Hamish Blake took a strong pack mark and goaled from the set shot at the seventeen minute mark and it was only 13 points the difference in the battle of the Tigers.
But when Lachlan Murray stole the ball from his opponents hands and snapped a left foot goal, Royal Park’s challenge had ended, as had their season for 2015.
Nigel Reid was the dominant ruckman and Scott Clark and Jimmy Templeton provided plenty of drive for the Lexton Tigers, while Cohan Poulton was outstanding in defence as he shut down the influence of Murray Bond.
Royal Park’s better players were James Lindeback, Chris Morley and Zach Tunbridge, while Jake Pring provided some forward pressure to get the Tigers back into the game.
First Semi Final – Natte Bealiba v Harcourt
Natte-Bealiba has progressed to the MCDFNL Preliminary Final next Sunday against Carisbrook after disposing of Harcourt in the 1st semi final at Princes Park on Sunday by 37 points.
Brent Mortlock and Ash Evans were inspirational in the Swans victory as they gathered numerous possessions through the middle and around the ground, while Tom Douglas and Stephen Ross also had plenty of ball throughout the game, and Ross also finished the game with three goals.
It was an even first half but Harcourt was very wasteful in front of goal, but Chris Jardine and Kurt Mortlock were applying pressure on the Lions forwards at every opportunity. The Lions had many forward entries, but could not capitalise as the usually accurate Joel Smith had three shots on goal in the second term and all were astray, but Matt Giri’s two first half goals kept the Lions in the game including a goal on the half time siren to reduce the margin to just one goal at the main break.
Harcourt defender Josh Collinson showed that his recent hamstring injury had mended well as he was proving to be a stumbling block for the Swans forwards as he repelled many of their forward moves, as did Jack Douglass who did a great covering job the Swans key forwards..
A fifty metre penalty that resulted in a goal to Natte Bealiba’s Stephen Ross early in the third quarter appeared to sap the spirits of the Lions players, and when Ryan Weir flew for a pack mark and finished with a goal, the Swans took control of the game.
The first four goals of the final quarter had the game well and truly in the Swans keeping and they coasted to the finish line and will now be looking forward to facing Carisbrook next Sunday for the opportunity to play in the 2015 Grand Final.
Last Modified on 07/09/2015 12:51