EFNL Premier Division: Rowville edges Vermont to advance to second consecutive grand final

Rowville has earned a shot at redemption, winning through to its second consecutive EFNL Premier Division grand final after edging Vermont on Saturday.

ROWVILLE is through to its second consecutive grand final after a heart-stopping victory over minor premier Vermont on Saturday.

Led by a best-afield, six-goal display from Lachlan Wynd, the Hawks edged the Eagles 13.7 (85) to 13.6 (84) in the semi-final at Bayswater Oval to move within one win of redemption for last season’s heartbreak.

Just five points separated the pair at three-quarter time, with Vermont cutting the margin from 17 at the half before a pulsating final term.

With the Hawks leading by 13 points inside the last two minutes, the Eagles threatened to pinch the match with two late goals.

Lachlan Wynd kicked six goals on Saturday. Picture: Field of View Photography

Wise credited his side’s steely resolve under pressure as defenders Kyle Stainthorpe and Jesse Eickhoff produced telling pieces of play.

“At stages some of our guys didn’t do the right thing and played on when we had control which made the ball a bit chaotic again … but we kept the ball in our third for five or six minutes with repeated stoppages,” Wise said.

“We probably didn’t get reward for effort with holding-the-ball (decisions) … the boys worked so hard to get a turnover and some ascendancy our way.

“Some boys had some really crucial moments late – Kyle Stainthorpe laid a really crucial tackle and I think Jesse Eickhoff got some hands in and stopped some handballs.

“That’s just the fight that we’ve got amongst the group and the ‘never-say-die’ attitude.”

Cooper MacDonald was among several returning names. Picture: Field of View Photography

Cooper MacDonald, Lachie McDonald, Jackson McDonald and Kane Young were among six returning names to the line-up after missing significant periods of the season.

“We made about six or seven changes from the last round … coming in this was the week where I took the chance a little bit to bring some boys in underdone,” Wise said.

“I knew we wouldn’t be at our best in terms of match fitness with the six coming in missing a month and more.

“We won ugly, I didn’t think we played that well, but there’s definitely huge improvement (to come).”

Wise declared Matt Evans “probably played the best game of his career”, finishing among the best for his work in the ruck.

Evans shouldered most of the load in the ruck. Picture: Field of View Photography

“He pretty much shouldered most of the ruck – they had two ruckmen that went through there heavily and he would’ve rucked 80 per cent, I reckon – his contest work was enormous,” Wise said.

The Hawks will be out to atone for last year’s grand final loss to Noble Park on September 16.

They await the winner of this weekend’s Vermont-Doncaster East prelim after the Lions defeated Balwyn on Sunday.

Despite a second-consecutive top-two finish, Wise is more than happy to wear the underdog tag.

“I never really worry about outside noise – forever and a day everyone’s happy to put you down and last year we were never given a chance and we did what we did which was exceptional in itself,” he said.

“To back it up (this year), finish second and go straight through, with all circumstantial stuff this year – we’ve had a heap of injuries – we’ve still been able to find a way.

“The (2022 grand final) experience is only going to hold us in good stead.”

Vermont 2.3, 5.5, 11.5, 13.6 (84)

Rowville 2.3, 8.4, 12.4, 13.7 (85)

Vermont

Goals:

A. Kalcovski 3, Z. Thiessen, D. Nielson 2, L. Johns, L. Reidy, R. Fitzpatrick, H. Banfield, J. Rossiter, F. Smith

Best:

J. Fisher, L. Johns, R. Fitzpatrick, H. Banfield, Z. Thiessen

Rowville

Goals:

L. Wynd 6, J. Coleclough 2, M. Traynor, Z. Greeves, L. Stapleton, K. Flakemore, M. Davey

Best:

L. Wynd, M. Evans, J. McDonald, J. Eickhoff, A. Brolic, L. Stapleton