EFL 2018: Vermont books the first place in the Division 1 grand final after a 55-point win over South Croydon

VERMONT has moved through to its third consecutive Division 1 grand final after a second-half blitz against South Croydon, leaving the Bulldogs in a preliminary final against Blackburn.

THERE were shades of last year’s semi-final in Vermont’s 55-point win over South Croydon on Saturday.

The game was almost a carbon copy.

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Like 2017, the Bulldogs held a lead at the main change only to be overrun in the second half.

And like 12 months ago, South Croydon was kept goalless after halftime as Vermont cruised to a comfortable victory to book the first place in the Division 1 grand final.

But the win came at a cost with Andy Ellis suffering a suspected ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, while key defender Rory Lehmann appeared to re-injure his hamstring.

Vermont coach Harmit Singh moves the magnets. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Guided by Liam Wale-Buxton in the ruck, another starring performance from midfielder Tom Schneider and four goals from spearhead Andrew Ainger, the Eagles slammed home 10.6 to 0.6 after halftime to score a 14.16 (100) to 6.9 (45) win.

Spectators said it looked like captain Lachlan Johns hadn’t missed a beat as he gathered disposals at will.

Johns, who played his first game back since an ankle injury in Round 5, said the group recognised the similarities to the same time last year.

Only in 2018 the Eagles will be hoping to reverse the grand final result after a shock loss to South Croydon last year.

“Someone came up to me after the game and just mentioned they were looking out at the ground and you couldn’t really tell who had won and who had lost the game,” Johns said after a recovery session in St Kilda.

“I think that showed our mindset that the job is really only half done and we were in the same position last year.

“Unless we win in two weeks’ time, then this win really doesn’t mean anything.”

Connor McCafferty looks for options. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Vermont trailed by five points at the long break after wasting some chances in front of goal, kicking 4.10 to 6.3 to halftime.

But the Eagles capitalised on their opportunities in the second half to record a comfortable win, earning a week’s rest ahead of the Division 1 decider.

Vermont will play the winner of the South Croydon and Blackburn preliminary final on September 22.

“I think that was one of the pleasing things about the game, we felt the whole game we had more of the play and we just weren’t converting those opportunities,” Johns said.

“It’s easy to get frustrated and start getting a bit worried out there but everyone stayed pretty calm.

“We just knew if we kept pressing that hopefully we’d start converting a few of those opportunities and I think that’s what happened in the second half.”