By Romy Stephens
WEST GIPPSLAND FOOTBALL NETBALL COMPETITION
REVIEW – FINALS WEEK 2
Tooradin-Dalmore became the first side to book its spot in this season’s A Grade grand final as it secured a thrilling win over Dalyston at Bass on Saturday afternoon.
The contest between the two sides shaped up to be a real battle considering the last time they met the Seagulls barely got over the line by three goals.
And the semi-final clash didn’t fail to disappoint.
The tone of the game was set early with both sides proving they were equally determined to win from the first centre pass.
By quarter-time, nothing could separate the two and scores were level on 11 goals apiece.
It wasn’t until the second quarter that the Magpies upped the ante and managed to edge their noses in front by three goals come half-time.
But the see-sawing affair would continue into the second-half as the Seagulls came out of the main break refreshed and determined. A flood of goals saw them gain a massive momentum shift and take a four-goal lead into the final quarter.
Despite a continual fight from the Magpies, it wasn’t enough to reduce the margin and the composed Seagulls retained a handy lead right up until the end of play.
They finished the game with a five-goal lead and embraced one another as the final whistle signalled they’d made the grand final.
In the other semi-final, Nar Nar Goon sent Korumburra-Bena packing with a convincing 58-37 win at the showgrounds.
The Goon didn’t appear to mind the fact that it had lost both regular season clashes against the Giants by over 10 goals each time.
The side came out firing against a lacklustre Giants outfit that seemed to still be recovering from the loss to Dalyston the week before.
Once the Goon got off to a six-goal lead in the first quarter, the side didn’t look back, piling on goal after goal and extending the lead at every break.
The result means the Giants will now be left to lick their wounds and move on to their preparations for season 2020.
This weekend, their arch nemesis Dalyston has another chance to make the grand final as it takes on Nar Nar Goon in the preliminary final.
The Magpies will head into the clash hot favourites considering they defeated the Goon both times they played during the regular season.
But with the Goon coming off an impressive win against Korumburra-Bena and riding a wave of confidence, both teams will be well aware that anything is possible. The winner of that clash at Denhams Road in Kooweerup will face Tooradin-Dalmore in the grand final.
