THE Sapphire Coast AFL’s high-flying Bega Bombers and Tathra Sea Eagles will meet in an elimination final following respective wins on the weekend.
The Bombers put 105 points over their Eden Whalers opponents in a strong showing for the club on Saturday.
The Bombers defeated the Eden Whalers 29.11 (185) to 12.8 (80).
Senior coach Matt Fleet said it was another strong performance and he was “really rapt with the team”.
“As far as I am concerned, we’ve come up against some big challenges this season, but they [Bombers] have kept going and kept fighting,” Fleet said.
Despite a number of injuries on the day and the threat of facing one of Eden’s strongest line-ups, the Bombers started the game unfazed.
A 40-point first quarter opened the account for the Bombers, who then ran away with the game.
Fleet said a number of players across the field doubled their efforts and guided the Bombers home.
“Justin Welsford, Larry Fuller and ‘Moona’ Harney in the back-line.
“Aaron Wheatley, Dale Leahy and Chris Dwyer through the midfield.
“And Steven Luff and Adam Blacka bringing it home up the front,” he said.
Meanwhile, Scott Hay continued his strong showings with a number of long-range kicks and excellent marking.
“He is a star, I’m really glad he’s come over to play a bit of AFL this year,” Fleet said.
The margin extended to 70 points by the half-time break.
Momentum slowed, but the Bombers’ pressure was relentless as they added another 20 to the lead for the third quarter.
Priorities shifted to defence for Bega in the last quarter, holding out against an Eden resurgence to come away with the 105-point win.
The weekend’s results mean the Bombers will take on the Sea Eagles in an elimination final at Tathra on Sunday.
Attempts to have the match rescheduled failed and Fleet said the club was “dealt a bit of a blow” by the move.
As many as seven Bombers will be out with commitments to other codes, but Fleet said the squad will have a full 20-man line-up.
“We will still have 20 blokes who will be really committed.
“I believe we can take it to Tathra and anything can happen with these Bega boys,” he said.
The elimination final will be played at Lawrence Park, Tathra, on Sunday from 2pm.
Bega Valley Coaches has also come on board and will run a bus from the Bega Showground on Saturday.
“It’s just $5 a ticket and there should be plenty of rooms for teams and supporters,” Fleet said.
A pick up time will be published in Friday’s BDN.
All four grades from the Bombers will play in the finals with a number of games to be held on the day.
Jacob McMaster
Last Modified on 27/10/2014 13:43