AFL Outer East: Pakenham holds off Monbulk to get another shot at Doveton in the grand final

Pakenham, the minor premier, was in danger of a straight sets exit but the Eagles held firm and saw off a determined Monbulk in the preliminary final.

Pakenham coach Ashley Green. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Pakenham erased the memories of a less-than-satisfying AFL Outer East finals debut when it got the better of Monbulk in the preliminary final at Beaconsfield’s Holm Park on Sunday to earn itself a grand final showdown with Doveton.

The Lions topped the ladder at the end of the home-and-away season and were crowned minor premiers but, after the week off, were given a 34-point touch up by the Doves in the second semi-final.

Facing the prospect of a straight sets exit, a focused Pakenham hit the field running on Sunday and, after booting six opening-quarter goals, led by 32 points at the first change.

“We were disappointing last week against Doveton,” coach Ash Green said. “But the boys bounced back really well and got themselves another crack against Doveton.

“We started really well and got some really good goals early.”

Despite seeming to have a foot in the grand final at the first change, Pakenham never looked completely comfortable as Monbulk continued to chip away.

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Jake Thompson was one of Pakenham’s best this week. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Indeed the Hawks kicked the first goal of the last quarter and had a number of chances to get even closer before Pakenham held firm and saluted 11.8 (74) to 7.7 (49).

“Monbulk are a very proud club and I knew they’d keep coming at us,” Green said. “Even when we were 20 points up (late in the game), but we were never confident.

“They just kept attacking and attacking, as you do when you are behind.”

While many would enjoy a comfortable, stress-free path into the season-decider, Green said he was thankful his young, developing side had been a given a thorough workout by a determined Hawks outfit.

“It (the grand final) will be very physical, it will be very skilful and we’ve got a very young squad that is still learning,” he said. “We’ve got a few sore bodies, which you’d expect given it was a final, but we’ll have a pretty light week on the training track and be ready to go.”

In a best-on-ground effort, Liam Tyrrell booted four goals and threatened to blow the game apart off his own boot early on. Jake Thompson, Jake Barclay and Joseph Baker-Thomas (two goals) were also good as the Lions held off Monbulk’s attempts at mounting a fightback.

Brodie Emmett, Patrick Barge and Nicholas Wall did their best to get the Hawks over the line.

Doveton and Pakenham will do battle in the grand final at Woori Yallock on Sunday.

Andrew Williams’s Monbulk made Pakenham earn its win. Picture: Hamish Blair

AFL Outer East Division 1 Preliminary Final

Pakenham v Monbulk

Holm Park (Sunday, September 15)

Pakenham 6.3 6.5 10.6 11.8 (74)

Monbulk 1.1 2.5 5.5 7.7 (49)

PAKENHAM Goal Kickers: L. Tyrrell 4, J. Baker-Thomas 2, D. Hope, Z. Stewart, S. Morey, J. Harrison, K. Tyrrell Best Players: L. Tyrrell, J. Thompson, J. Barclay, R. Nelson, D. Hope, J. Baker-Thomas

MONBULK Goal Kickers: S. McBride 2, P. Barge, M. Langworthy, B. Emmett, S. Williams, S. Koole Best Players: B. Emmett, P. Barge, N. Wall, D. Werts, G. Strachan, M. Langworthy

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