Challenged by Oak Park, St Albans rose to the occasion to keep its season alive
Twice challenged in an epic elimination final, St Albans stepped up to secure its first EDFL finals win and first club finals win since 2008.
Essendon
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St Albans marked off two significant milestones on Sunday.
The 14-point elimination final victory over Oak Park was the club’s maiden Essendon District finals win and, more importantly, its first finals win since 2008.
The 12.19 (91) to 12.5 (77) victory at Salesian College keeps the Saints’ season alive and sets up a semi-final clash with Hillside.
Coach Zammy Muhtari said it was massive for the club.
“It was nice for the supporters, they’re the ones that come in every week and ride the bumps with you – good and bad,” Muhtari said.
“It was good to see some of the older guys, bring a smile to their face, and the kids within the club, they get to experience what it’s like.”
St Albans was seemingly in control, leading by 21, just before three-quarter-time when a lightning storm forced the teams off.
The final minute of the third quarter was scrapped and, after a 40-minute delay, the teams returned for the fourth term.
Oak Park took full advantage, slamming on three quick goals to reduce the deficit to just three points.
However, the Saints responded with two goals in two minutes to keep their noses in front.
The Kangaroos came again, this time getting within two points with 10 minutes remaining but St Albans rose to the occasion, kicking the final two goals of the game to seal victory.
“It was a topsy-turvy day, it was nice and sunny and then the heavens opened up,” Muhtari said.
“We didn’t know if we were going to get back on and just had to wait around.
“It came at a good time for Oak Park, we’d had all the momentum in that quarter and just some bad kicking – we kicked 1.7 – kept them in the hunt.
“Credit to them, after the break they really challenged us but it was good to see the boys respond because it could have quickly gone the other way. Twice we got challenged and twice we rose to it.”
Victor Micallef was named best-on-ground in the win, while ex-AFL man Atu Bosenavulagi, Josh Klaromenos and Matt Gundry also impressed.
After a quiet day, Bol Kolang exploded in the fourth quarter with three decisive goals, while Mason Dipetta bagged three.
“Our leaders stood up through the middle and Bol stood up in the last quarter with three crucial goals,” Muhtari said.
“We started Bol off in the last quarter because he’s a tall target for us, the ground was absolutely saturated so we went with the small guys, but in the end he was the difference.
“Josh Carter going back behind the footy settled the boys down and kept them composed.”
The Saints will now tackle Hillside after the Sharks went down to West Coburg in Saturday’s qualifying final by 20 points.
Hillside claimed the only meeting between the two clubs this season, a 29-point win at Kings Park in Round 12.
The cut-throat semi-final will be held at Joe Brown Oval on Sunday.
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“The top four or five have been thereabouts,” Muhtari said.
“We only played Hillside and West Coburg once this year and they were both close games.
“It’s a very even competition, for us each week is do-or-die and we take a bit of confidence from winning on the weekend.”
West Coburg will face Maribyrnong Park in the major semi-final on Saturday.
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