EFL Division 3: Waverley Blues through to second consecutive grand final
Waverley Blues have waited three years to atone for a grand final loss – but they’ll get the chance after nosing out Warrandyte in an EFL Division 3 thriller.
Eastern
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They’ve had to wait three years – but they’ll be out to go one better in a fortnight.
The Waverley Blues are through to a second consecutive grand final following a nail-biting 11-point victory over Warrandyte in the Eastern league Division 3 second semi-final on Saturday.
The Blues, who lost the 2019 decider, held off a fast-finishing Bloods outfit, 12.10 (82) to 11.7 (73), after leading by 23 points at the main break.
Division 3 leading goalkicker Josh Williamson proved the difference in attack with six majors, while Warrandyte’s Quinn Clark bagged five.
Waverley Blues coach Tom Langford recounted the thrilling second-half after his charges clung to an 11-point lead at the final change.
The Bloods rallied from a six-goal deficit to hit the front early in the last term with the opening two goals before the Blues answered to claim the match.
“They (Warrandyte) hit back hard … all credit to them, they were well on top getting some real ascendancy through the midfield and they started to control the game off half-back,” Langford said.
“Earlier in the game we were really damaging and efficient going forward – so they turned it around pretty well after half-time.
“I guess in the end we showed the heart to come back kick those last two goals of the game … there was a lot riding on it to get to a granny.”
Tom Steele and Omar Mohammad proved the match-winners at the end with the final two majors – Mohammad sealing the deal with a minute to go.
The Blues’ Nick Perry stood out in the ruck while Langford made special mention of the back six.
“We thought Simon Hawkins and Ben Turner were clear standouts – the backs overall – Jack Strongman, Tyson Hale, Nick English, Ryan Serpanchy, Joel Hatch … led by Simon and Ben, outstanding,” Langford said.
“They’ve been unreal (all season) … we believe our backs are our best line, and today they absolutely stood up under immense pressure in that second half.”
Despite the win, raw emotion engulfed the Blues’ rooms afterwards following co-captain Matt Perry’s failed appeal at the tribunal this week, who’ll now miss the grand final.
The spearhead’s two-match ban was upheld after a hip-and-shoulder incident in the Round 17 clash with Donvale.
The Blues’ bye in the last home-and-away round meant half the ban couldn’t be served ahead of the finals.
A loss in Saturday’s match would have meant Perry was available to play in the decider.
“I was an emotional wreck myself (after the match) – there were tears everywhere in the rooms after the game,” Langford said.
“It was a really powerful message that we spoke about – the connection amongst our group and how important that’s going to be in this finals series.
“He’s the spiritual leader, there’s no doubt about that, so to have him hurting, everyone will be wanting to do it for him in a couple of weeks.”
The Blues will hunt the club’s first senior flag since 2008 in two weeks’ time – and the milestone isn’t lost on Langford or the players.
Ex-state leaguer Langford is in pursuit of a maiden premiership in a career which has taken in more than 150 VFL matches across Port Melbourne and Richmond.
“I’ve never won a flag in 17 years of senior footy … for me it means plenty and the hunger’s there,” he said.
“I’m hoping to share that with our younger players that may have played in a grand final or won a ‘17s or ‘19s flag, that the opportunities don’t come around all that often.
“We’re in a fortunate position that we’ve got the chance to do that.”
Warrandyte next week plays the winner of Sunday’s first semi-final between Donvale and Coldstream for a spot in the grand final.
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