Second Semi Finals – The Hawks into the Grand Final
The West Coast Hawks ran their way past an injury ravaged Bulldog side at Minnipa
First passage through to the Grand Final, and outright favouritism, the Hawks ran over Central Eyre in a great display of precision football.
As good as the Hawks were, the Bulldogs injury woes continued not helping the cause. Key forward and coach Wade O Brien off to hospital with a compound dislocation of a finger, and past Mail Medallist Martin Grocke injuring his hip. Both major concerns to the club
Central Eyre came out fired up, kicking the first two goals of the match, but from thereafter the Hawks took over, kicking the next eight until half time. High work rate and willingness to run which is such a signature of the Hawks game. Central Eyre were able to get forward from time to time but just couldn’t get to good goal scoring position. The second half was more even however the damage had been done.
Centreline guns Dillon Montgomerie and Dale Montgomerie were in terrific touch, both around the packs and in the open, kicking four goals between them. Joseph McInnis leg speed, and no doubt no one is happier to get through to a Grand Final, given he missed last year’s premiership with a broken arm. He has enjoyed a wonderful season this year. Dylan Kelsh in the ruck, young Jaxon Galliver again impressing and staking a strong grand final selection claim, Nathan Johnson, who always seems to lift in the big games. West Coast backline held sway, as they so often do, with a real slingshot type rebound, so often resulting in scores.
Ryan Sampson led the way for the ’dogs, another with a penchant for the harder finals type football, Mail Medallist Jared Sampson gathered plenty of the ball and used it well, Kane Sampson, the big fella plays with so much heart, and plays anywhere. Ty McKenna and Micah Van Loon both had good games.
The Bulldogs training staff are the best in the business, but they are being called upon far more than the club would be hoping, so many players are pulling up sore at the wrong time of the year.
West Coast Hawks won’t be unhappy about their prospects on the larger Wudinna Oval, they are fit and will face a pleasing selection dilemma, with so many players capable of being in that final 21. Centrals face their old nemesis, Elliston at Warramboo. Over history, some of these clashes have been the toughest of them all!
Reserves
The Bombers outgunned an undermanned Hawks reserves side, leading from the start and extending their lead over the game, ending up a whopping 110 points winners. This is a complete turnaround to the third round match between these two where the Hawks won comfortably, but Wirrulla headed the reserves table at seasons end.
Good players over the whole ground, Oliver McCullam leading the way, Robbie Marshall with seven goals, Daniel Theunans in the ruck, Shane Pittaway (five goals) and Shaun Kelsall both getting plenty of it.
The best Hawks were Lijah Daniel, Dion Trezona and Jason McGilvray. Lijah only played three games during the year but will be very handy in the Hawks campaign hereafter.
West Coast Hawks face Wudinna United next week in the Preliminary Final, another difficult opponent without an A Grade side to consider in the finals. Bombers coach Andrew Patterson has a full list to choose for the Grand Final, and will need to make some very difficult selection decisions, you just can’t play everybody! The Bombers fell at the final post over the last two years, so will be concentrating hard to ensure this recent history is reversed.
Colts
Two very well matched sides, Wudinna United and West Coast Hawks, and quite an amazing game. The Hawks kicked with the breeze in the first quarter, getting out to a 21 point lead at quarter time, probably around what would be expected. The second quarter saw the Magpies post three goals to one, Hawks leading by a goal at the main break. In a big third quarter, the Hawks ran and used the ball well, kicking out to a seemingly match winning 33 point advantage at three quarter time. In a stunning last quarter, the Magpies kicked nine goals nine behinds to no score, turning the 33 point deficit into a 30 point win.
The last quarter was dominated by Wudinna United, with the whole team lifting. Even the cunning old Magpie coach Simon Petty was surprised by the complete change in the game.
Best for the Magpies were Ian Jericho, Fraser Douglass (Four goals), Harrison Petty, Logan Elliott and Brad Lymn. For the Hawks, Harmon Baldock, Tom Shaw, Zane Montgomerie, Zach Lovegrove and Kyle Tucker.
The Preliminary Final will see the Hawks play Central Eyre in a rematch of the 2013 Grand Final. Central Eyre really impressed in the 1st Semi, and last year they came through the 1st Semi Final all the way to the premiership.
Match results summary is below in pdf
Last Modified on 31/08/2014 22:41