First Qualifying Final – Navarre v Natte Bealiba
Navarre has booked a place in the MCDFNL's first preliminary final after a clinical 47-point victory over Natte Bealiba in the MCDFNL's first qualifying final, extending the Grasshoppers' unbeaten run to 40 games.
The showdown between the two long-time rivals and the competition's first and fourth-ranked sides was certainly no repeat of the Grasshoppers' 94-point victory over the Swans in the final home-and-away round the previous week, it was certainly enough to suggest that the Swans will need to make some improvements if they are to come up against Navarre again in this finals series.
While Natte managed to keep touch with Navarre in the opening quarter, kicking two goals from limited opportunities to Navarre's three goals, a three-goal to zero second term blew the game open, giving the Hoppers a 31-point lead at the main break. While the Swans continued to battle manfully against Navarre's onslaught, managing to kick four goals in the third term, the Grasshoppers booted four majors of their own, despite the best efforts of the Swans' defenders, with the reigning premiers carrying a 31-point lead into the final term. Four goals to Natte's two in the final term proved a bridge too far for the Swans, as the premiership favourites closed out the game in foreboding style.
Cody Driscoll enjoyed another day out in front of goal, booting four goals, while brothers Josh and Ash Driscoll both kicked three apiece. Young gun Billy Parry was a standout for the Grasshoppers, along with Daniel Reading, Louis Hannett and Danny Grellett.
Karl Morley was Natte's main avenue to goal, booting three majors, including a spectacular mid-air volley, while Zac Perez and Trent Mortlock both bagged two apiece. The Swans' best players were Tom Douglas, Brent Mortlock, Perez and Jarred Graco.
Navarre will now enjoy a week off before the preliminary final, while Natte will take on Harcourt in this weekend's first semi-final.
Second Qualifying Final – Carisbrook v Lexton
Carisbrook has clawed its way to a 12-point victory in a bruising qualifying final clash with Lexton in the opening week of the MCDFNL's finals series.
The Redbacks dragged themselves over the line and a booked what is likely a much-needed week's rest with a 10.14 (74) to 9.8 (62 victory over the Tigers, who will now face off against Royal Park in next week's second semi-final.
The Redbacks gained a slender advantage in the opening term, leading by four points quarter-time, 3.4 (22) to 3.0 (18), and from then on, fought a frantic struggle for ascendancy against a Lexton side clearly intent on causing an upset in the first week of the competition's finals series. By half-time, the Tigers had closed the gap between the two sides to just a single point, 5.6 (36) to 5.5 (35) in favour of the Redbacks. A three-goal to one third term, however, stretched the Carisbrook lead to 18 points, with Lachlan Edwards booting a goal on the three-quarter time siren to boost the Brooks' hopes. In a frenetic final term, the Tigers managed to close the gap to just one goal, before Brook forward Joel Riske kicked truly to give the Redbacks a two-goal victory over their rivals.
The Brookers' spread of goal kickers was potentially the difference between the two sides, with Nick Wright, Matt Bilton, Riske and Travis Cornwill all booting two goals, while Nathan O'Keefe, Brady Neill, Cornwill and Adam Hurse were named the best for the victors.
Matt Brown and James Morrish slotted three goals each for Lexton, while Bryce Karslake, Scott Clark, Nick Spolding and Jordan Phelan were the Tigers' standout performers.
First Elimination Final – Harcourt v Campbells Creek
Harcourt have progressed into the second week of the 2015 MCDFNL Finals Series with an easy seventy four point victory over Campbells Creek in the First Elimination Final at Princes Park on Sunday.
Campbells Creek started the game in a very confident fashion with two goals on the board to Anthony Taylor and Mark Ashmore inside the first five minutes of the game, but Matt Giri quickly answered the challenge for the Lions with two early goals to level things up, followed by Daniel Smith kicking truly late to give the Lions the ascendency going into the first break.
After an even second term, the Lions put the foot down in the second half and finished the game with an eight goal final quarter to exert their dominance over their home town counterpart and will now move onto next Sunday’s First Semi Final where they will meet Natte Bealiba.
Jack Douglass and Adam Ward were again judged to be the Lions best players, but Jeff McMurtrie and Brendan Josey were also key players in the Lions big victory. Alan Mack was strong in defence, and Matt Giri was the key goalkicker with four goals for Harcourt, with Sean Smith and Sam Gale also chipping in with three goals apiece.
Chris Klimeck and Matt Halacas tried hard all day for Creek, as did Brandon Greenwood, Jayden Molloy and Josh Adamson who played his best game for the season since returning from injury, but the Lions were too strong and deserve the opportunity to face Natte Bealiba next week.
Second Elimination Final – Royal Park v Talbot
In a physical Second Elimination Final at Hedges Oval on Sunday, Royal Park advanced to the second week of the 2015 MCDFNL Finals Series, overcoming a slow start to eventually wear down Talbot and claim a 26 point victory.
Talbot took advantage of a stiff breeze in the opening term, with Josh Sullivan presenting well and providing a marking target for the Hawks onballers resulting in the first two goals of the game for Talbot. Royal Park were wasteful in front of goal and kicked five behinds for the term, allowing Talbot to capitalise when Luke Kemp kicked two late goals to give the Hawks a 21 point quarter time lead.
The second term was free flowing football with ten goals scored for the quarter, with Royal Park forward Murray Bond snapping the first goal of the quarter to keep the Tigers in the game, before Talbot star Trent Barras kicked two quick goals to give Talbot a 27 point advantage at the twelve minute mark, before the tempo of the game changed following Talbot playing coach Matt Smith being stretchered from the ground with a suspected knee injury which seemed to have a detrimental effect on his team mates, as Royal Park kicked the final three goals of the term to trail by just seven points at half time.
Murray Bond again kicked the opening goal of the third term to have the Tigers within one point on the scoreboard, and Trent Pye followed with another goal from the next forward entry to put Royal Park in front for the first time of the day. Scoring opportunities were difficult to come by as both defensive units were proving difficult to penetrate, but Jake Pring broke through for a late goal for the Tigers to lead by 14 points at three quarter time.
Once again it was Murray Bond that kicked the opening goal in the final quarter and it looked like the Tigers would kick away, but successive goals to Josh Sullivan and Kane Heathcock gave some hope to the Hawks faithful as they were only eight points in arrears midway through the term. But Royal Park lifted and finished the game strongly with three goals in five minutes to ensure their victory, and a repeat of their 2014 First Semi Final matchup against Lexton next Saturday.
Trent Pye and Hamish Blake provided plenty of run and carry through the middle for the Tigers, while Taylor Stewart and Jay Anderson spring boarded out of the defensive half to set up the likes of Murray Bond who finished with five goals for the game.
Robert Conroy, Kane Heathcock, Brad Coffey and Brendan Shine were amongst the better players for Talbot and Josh Sullivan was the key goal scorer with four goals for the game.
Last Modified on 31/08/2015 11:56