EFL 2018: South Croydon prevails by six points in thrilling qualifying final against Doncaster

DONCASTER and South Croydon produced another Eastern Football League classic as the Bulldogs prevailed by six points in a thrilling qualifying final.

DONCASTER and South Croydon produced another Eastern Football League classic as the Bulldogs prevailed by six points in a thrilling qualifying final on Saturday.

The match appeared set for extra-time with scores locked at 75 apiece at the 28-minute mark of the last quarter.

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But Michael ‘Zippy’ King proved to be the hero for South Croydon when he slotted the matchwinner with the final foray forward at the Mountain Highway end of Bayswater Oval.

Despite kicking more goals, Doncaster was left to lament a 10.21 (81) to 11.9 (75) defeat as the Bulldogs advanced to meet Vermont in Saturday’s semi-final for a place in the Division 1 grand final.

Ewen ‘Frankie’ McKenzie is brought down in a tackle. Picture: Stuart Milligan

South Croydon coach Luke McCormick said the result again highlighted the belief in his group.

“We’re a club built on spirit, it’s a strong community club, the boys really do play for each other,” McCormick said.

“I think we were the better side on the day but we didn’t kick straight enough so therefore those games you don’t deserve to win, but when you do it gives you a lot of confidence.”

Halftime in @footyefl qualifying final and the scoreboard tells the story between @DoncasterSharks and @SouthCroydonFC. pic.twitter.com/WKjxH6b2O6

— Toby Prime (@T_Prime2) September 1, 2018

The two sides were never separated by more than 17 points, with South Croydon nearly kicking themselves out of the contest.

At 23-minute mark of the second quarter, the Bulldogs had booted 1.12 and had registered four more scoring shots but trailed by 17 points.

McCormick felt such was his side’s dominance it should have been up by six goals at three-quarter time.

But former Melbourne rookie Max King proved the difference in the contest.

Dale Walker goes up for a mark. Picture: Stuart Milligan

The 200cm forward proved a handful for Doncaster’s defence after halftime, slotting three third-quarter goals on his way to a four-goal haul.

Despite his height, King also showed all the qualities of a small forward with two crumbing goals and was influential with his marking presence around the ground.

Doncaster star Chris Annakis was also unusually quiet, clamped by Lucas O’Neill in the second half.

What is it about these two sides?

They have met on three occasions in 2018 and the biggest margin has been nine points.

Both clubs are also to be admired for the way they have climbed the EFL rungs. It’s 11 years since they clashed in the Division 3 preliminary final but both are legitimate top-tier flag contenders this finals series.

Luke McCormick in the huddle at three-quarter time. Picture: Stuart Milligan

“They’re a good side, we match up well against each other and I think they’re strong across all lines as we are,” McCormick said.

“I think the first two games, we won six out of eight quarters and, 31 scoring shots to 20, we should have been comfortably ahead with a bit of scoreboard pressure.

“As much as it was a terrible way to win in the end, good sides find a way.”

While McCormick lamented South Croydon’s inaccuracy, Doncaster coach Andrew Tranquilli would have gladly taken a nine-point quarter-time deficit.

The Bulldogs managed just one goal from 10 scoring shots in the opening term, while Harry Conway converted the Sharks’ only chance with a snap from 40m.

A run of five consecutive goals pushed Doncaster’s lead out to 17 points near time-on in the second term, punishing South Croydon for its wayward kicking.

Ex-Shark Daniel Cooper takes a mark against his former club. Picture: Stuart Milligan

The lead changed hands five times in a seesawing second half, with consecutive goals from Glenn Strachan and Pat Rosier giving the Bulldogs a 14-point advantage halfway through the last term.

But a quick reply from Jake Kalanj and Angelo Rambaldi’s third goal moments later made for a tense finish.

After multiple stoppages on centre wing and a draw seeming to be the likely result, the ball spilt loose to South Croydon’s advantage.

A long kick forward found Michael King loose in the forward 50, capitalising on a two-on-one to run into an open goal with one of the last kicks of the game.

Doncaster will play the winner of the Rowville and Blackburn elimination final.

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