EFL 2018: Blackburn knocks Doncaster out of Division 1 finals in straight sets after 21-point win

BLACKBURN is just one win away from its first Division 1 grand final berth in 43 years after knocking Doncaster out of Eastern Football League finals in straight sets.

BLACKBURN produced a powerful third quarter performance for the second consecutive week to knock Doncaster out of the finals in straight sets.

The 21-point win sets up a replay of last year’s preliminary final against South Croydon this weekend, with the winner set to meet Vermont in the decider on September 22.

FALCONS LOOK TO CAUSE GRAND FINAL UPSET

PIONEERS OVERCOME GOALLESS FIRST HALF TO WIN FLAG

The Burners trailed by 20 points midway through the second quarter at Central Reserve on Sunday when Doncaster tall Nick Komen kicked the Sharks’ fourth goal of the game.

Blackburn captain Pat Contin fires a shot at goal. Picture: Davis Harrigan

But Blackburn proceeded to kick 11 of the next 12 goals to set up a 14.9 (93) to 10.12 (72) victory, leaving it just one win away from its first Division 1 grand final berth since 1975.

The club has also never won a top-tier premiership.

“We’re talking about that we’re the custodians of the story at the moment,” Blackburn coach Brendan Allen said.

“It can be another chapter next year or we can hopefully end it on a happy note this year.”

Blackburn kicked the last four goals of the second quarter to take a six-point lead into halftime before piling on the pain with six goals in 15 minutes in the third term as Doncaster’s season went up in smoke.

Looks like builder and @Blackburn_FC coach @BPAllen17 has brought his own tools to the @footyefl semi-final against @DoncasterSharks. His perch certainly raised the eyebrows of opposing coach Andrew Tranquilli. pic.twitter.com/XXmVYm6yyu

— Toby Prime (@T_Prime2) September 9, 2018

What a turnaround in this game. @Blackburn_FC trailed by 20 points early in the second term but respond with the last four goals to lead by seven points at halftime in the @footyefl semi-final against @DoncasterSharks.

— Toby Prime (@T_Prime2) September 9, 2018

.@SouthCroydonFC officials are on hand here at Central Reserve. Bulldogs will have their work cut out against @Blackburn_FC in the @footyefl preliminary final. Burners lead the semi by 49 points. Disastrous second half for @DoncasterSharks.

— Toby Prime (@T_Prime2) September 9, 2018

The burst had all the hallmarks of Blackburn’s third quarter against Rowville in the elimination final when it kicked seven goals to one.

Patrick Lawlor gave the Burners the advantage in the clearances in the second half, also drifting forward to kick three goals to be the best player on the ground.

Luke Conca also finished as Blackburn’s leading goalkicker with three majors.

It was the second consecutive year Blackburn has eliminated Doncaster from the Eastern Football League finals after prevailing in the first week of the playoffs in 2017.

The result also leaves the Sharks 0-4 in finals since coming up from Division 2 at the end of 2015.

Anthony Fagan missed a second week due to concussion and could come back into the side for the preliminary final.

“This time last year the boys were a little bit banged up so we’re going to give ourselves every opportunity as a fit team to hopefully go out against South Croydon,” Allen said.

“It’s going to be a tough game. It’s just going to be the will to win in the end so hopefully our boys stand up when they need to.”