AFL Outer-East: Beaconsfield through to the preliminary final after big final quarter against Cranbourne in the first semi-final
There were times it was looking shaky, but Beaconsfield got the job done against a gallant Cranbourne in the first semi-final.
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Beaconsfield ended Cranbourne’s gallant late-season run with a 15-point win in the first semi-final at Doveton’s AJ Robinson Oval on Saturday.
Cranbourne, which just a few weeks ago was six points adrift of the top five and looking likely to miss the finals, had nudged its way to a nine-point lead at the final change.
An upset was looming and, when Cranbourne kicked the first goal of the final quarter, it was looming large.
But Beaconsfield knuckled down when it mattered and booted five goals in the final quarter to see off the challenge 10.18 (78) to 9.9 (63).
“When they got that first goal we were thinking ‘geez it’s a fair mountain to climb’,” Beaconsfield coach Leigh McQuillan said. “But luckily we got that one back pretty quickly and to kick five goals in the last quarter was outstanding.
“I feel like we should have been four goals up at quarter-time and then they were all over us in the second and third.”
McQuillan was forced to shuffle the magnets at the final change after Riley Welsh had teeth knocked out and departed the game.
“Scott Meyer lifted three gears, Kyle O’Sullivan was great and we threw Jake Bowd forward,” McQuillan said. “We probably did about six changes to get the boys up and about.”
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Cranbourne coach Steve O’Brien said he was full of “immense pride’’ for his side.
“I just think injuries took their toll in the end,’’ he said. “We had a couple wounded yesterday but just overall I think we had probably seven of our preferred 22 unavailable.
“And for the boys to step up from the reserves, it’s a big jump…
“Big Scott Meyer controlled the game in the last quarter. We weren’t able to negate his influence at centre bounces. He served it to them on a platter and there’s wasn’t a heap we could do about it to be honest.’’
Meanwhile, Berwick is through to the grand final after beating a wayward Narre Warren 14.9 (93) to 7.16 (58) in the second semi-final at Pakenham’s Toomuc Reserve.
Narre Warren and Beaconsfield will clash in the preliminary final at Healesville on Saturday.
“They’ve given us a touch up before (62 points in last week’s qualifying final) but we got them on Anzac Day last year and at home this year,” McQuillan said. “I’m a big believer that it’s all about ‘on the day’.”
The Beaconsfield boss said Narre Warren had jumped the Eagles early last week and they'd played catch up from that point on.
“We made a huge mistake trying to play our dry weather game (in the wet),” he said.
AFL Outer East
Premier Division First semi-final
Beaconsfield v Cranbourne
AJ Robinson Oval (Saturday, September 14)
Beaconsfield 2.4 5.5 5.12 10.18 (78)
Cranbourne 1.4 3.7 7.9 9.9 (63)
BEACONSFIELD Goal Kickers: M. Johnson 3, D. Johnston 2, K. O’’Sullivan, L. Modica, T. Stokoe, N. McPherson, D. Johnston Best Players: K. O’’Sullivan, S. Dwyer, S. Meyer, H. Brough, R. McMillan, N. McPherson
CRANBOURNE Goal Kickers: S. Marusic 2, C. Ellison 2, A. Lawler-Lobato, A. Burr, S. DePaoli, S. Keenan, R. Jones Best Players: S. Morrish, S. Marusic, C. Ellison, B. Buntine, M. Tharle, R. Jones
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