Canberra Old Boys vs Riff Raff 55+ final

The first final of the day was in the men's 55+ division between Canberra Old Boys 55+ and Riff Raff, who had met in round 1 with the victory going to Canberra 2-0.

Canberra made some promising opening runs across the wider areas of the field, but Riff Raff held the overall power and movement of the game for the first 10 minutes, before scoring from a brilliant individual run to take an early lead. Canberra looked to press immediately after, having previously struggled with having enough support forward for their strikers.

Both sides began to play evenly on the ball, but frenzied attack sometimes prevented the teams from seeing alternative space on other sides of the pitch. At half time, only a goal kept the teams apart in a game that could easily have been won by either. With all to play for in the second half, Canberra put in a stronger effort than they had previously, causing plenty of trouble for Riff Raff's defence. However, neither side seemed able to convert, with only an occasional skilled run causing a risk for either keeper. 

In the last 10 minutes Canberra forced themselves forward in search of an equaliser, and came dangerously close to scoring, prevented only by capable goalkeeping. Riff Raff played plenty of counter attacking football in an attempt to put the game to rest, and Canberra were unable to bounce back all the way until the final whistle.

Final score: Canberra Old Boys 55+ 0 - 1 Riff Raff

Bomaderry FC vs South Coast Rhinos 50+ final

The 50+ men's final was played between Bomaderry FC and South Coast Rhinos, with the Rhinos having previously beaten Bomaderry 1-0 in round 2 of the group stages. 

Bomaderry played from the outset with possessive football, and we're not afraid to pass the ball back if an option was not open to them. South Coast fought well, however, proving Bomaderry's defence for weaknesses when retaliating on a counter attack.

The ball was played to either end of the field very frequently, with attacking momentum shifting rapidly between the teams. 4 minutes before half time Bomaderry saw yellow after an altercation on the sideline, as tensions began to rise leading into the break. Bomaderry looked vulnerable as South Coast rattled the crossbar from an outside the box strike, but the score remained goalless at half time.

The Rhinos pushed hard in the second half, forcing plenty of errors from Bomaderry who had trouble getting out of their own half. Bomaderry strung together some decent chances, but the game still mostly belonged to South Coast. Late into the second half, some miraculous defending from Bomaderry kept the ball off the goal line as the game crept into extra time.

Extra time saw the first goal of the game arrive for South Coast Rhinos, as a saved cross rebounded and was headed into the back of the net. A long-range effort from Bomaderry frightened South Coast moments before the break, creeping over the crossbar with the keeper at full stretch. Extra time ended with a hectic exchange of play, with a valiant effort from both sides ending with the gold medal going to South Coast Rhinos.

Final score: Bomaderry 0 – 1 South Coast Rhinos

Adelaide 45+ vs Castlemaine gOld spice 45+ final

Meanwhile, the 45+ final took place between Adelaide 45+ and Castlemaine gOld spice, with Adelaide holding the bragging rights after their 4-0 win over Castlemaine in the group stage.  Adelaide held an immediate advantage over the game, showing commanding control over the ball, but lacking the precise passing needed to score a desired early goal. Castlemaine made good use of the ball later into the half, with several attacks holding Adelaide back within their own third. The game stayed balanced throughout, with Adelaide providing the most opportunities on goal, but no goals were scored by half time. 

Five minutes into the second half Adelaide scored the first goal of the game, increasing the hard work for Castlemaine who were struggling to hold the ball. A penalty for Adelaide two minutes from full time put the score to 2-0, securing the win for them in what was a comfortable victory for the side.

Adelaide 45+ 2 – 0 Castlemaine gOld spice