EDFL: West Coburg stun Tullamarine to earn grand final berth
West Coburg is through to its first grand final since 2014 behind another dominant performance from the “best ruckman in the league” as the kids stepped up.
Essendon
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Peaking at the right time.
It’s what Dominic Dean Spagnolo and West Coburg have done in the last three weeks.
The Burgers big man has produced three straight best on ground performances in a row and coincidentally his side has won all three of those games.
But none were more important than Sunday’s as he produced a dominant display to guide his side into the Essendon District league Division 1 grand final.
In an enthralling contest, West Coburg held on to stun Tullamarine 12.8 (80) to 10.7 (67) at Highgate Recreation Reserve on Sunday.
Dean Spagnolo clearly got on top of his Tullamarine opponents in the middle at centre bounces with the Burgers often getting first use of the footy.
His intercept marking was also excellent taking several pack marks at critical stages of the game much to the delight of the crowd.
Even when the ball hit the deck, the big man could make an impact.
You couldn’t wipe the smile off coach Dale May’s face.
“It’s amazing to think he played the first five games of the year in the reserves because he couldn’t train,” May said.
“Now I think he’s the best ruckman in the league. His last five or six weeks have been unbelievable.
“Once he got his form up and going, he’s been brilliant. I couldn’t be happier.”
West Coburg didn’t have everything their own way throughout the contest with a strong breeze favouring one end of the ground.
May’s side raced out of the blocks to be 20 points up at the first change only to find themselves a point down at halftime after Shaun McKernan goaled from the goalsquare on the siren.
But a six-goal to two third term, put the Burgers in the box seat to progress to its first grand final since 2014.
It was a fiery premiership quarter with West Coburg kicking back-to-back goals in 30 seconds after the umpire awarded a high free kick to Lynden Dunn in the goalsquare.
Push and shove ensued with Tullamarine’s Kirk Lang sent from the ground with the blood rule as blood streamed down his face.
Lang had clashed heads with a teammate who was pushed.
“I’m really, really proud of this group,” May said.
“We gritted late and managed to hold on. Our young guys like Emilio Rinaudo and Pat McCallum stood up when a few of our senior boys had down games. But that’s not a bad thing because they don’t usually play two bad games in a row.”
McKernan threatened to tear the game open when he booted three second quarter goals but Dane Lucas was able to subdue the former AFL big man in the second half.
“I thought he did a super job against the best player in the competition,” May said.
“It’s not easy to keep him quiet. It was a real captain’s game.”
Airport West awaits West Coburg in the grand final next Sunday at Windy Hill.
The Eagles have comfortably won the previous two meetings this season.
“We will have our full side for the first time,” May said.
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