Local footy wrap: Cudgewa and Swifts Creek hoist flags, Somerville marches into flag decider
Local footy went up a gear as clubs hoisted premiership flags and others scored rousing victories to edge closer to the holy grail. See the highlights from a sizzling Saturday.
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Finals fever arrived on Saturday, and local footy went up a gear as some clubs hoisted premiership flags, while others scored rousing victories to edge closer to the holy grail.
It’s all here in this weekend’s local footy wrap ...
EAGLES INTO BIG DANCE
Somerville is poised to snap a 37-year premiership drought after storming home to beat Mornington in Saturday’s Mornington Peninsula league Division 2 second semi-final at Rye.
The Eagles haven’t won a senior flag since 1986, when former St Kilda champion Gary “Cat’’ Colling was coach of a side that featured former Australian cricketer Shaun Graf.
On Saturday, Somey kicked seven of the last eight goals to overpower Mornington 10.16 (76) to 7.14 (56). Somerville forward Lachlan Sharp put the Eagles in front midway through the final quarter before ex-AFL Kangaroo Tom Murphy extended the margin with a long goal and young Ben Kaddatz kicked one from the goal square.
Wholehearted Somey defender Kane McKenzie was one of the best players on the ground, along with young wingman Jesse Walker-Swain.
It was Somerville’s second win over Mornington this season and the Eagles will have a week off before contesting their first grand final since 2015.
BRILLIANT BLUES
Cudgewa has put the cap on a fabulous season in the Upper Murray league, winning the seniors and reserves football premierships and the A and B Grade netball flags. After the reserves came from behind at half-time to beat Bullioh by 24 points, the Blues’ senior side bolted off with the flag, 22.14 (146) to 8.4 (52), also against Bullioh.
FINALLY A FLAG FOR DEMONS
Swifts Creek snapped a run of four successive grand final losses by capturing its first premiership since 2011 with a 22-point win against Omeo-Benambra at Buchan.
The Demons started slowly and only hit the front for the first time in the match when they grabbed the lead just before the quarter time siren.
But a brilliant four-goal burst late in the second term helped them open up a four-goal lead and successfully kept Omeo-Benambra at bay for the remainder of the match to win 11.6 (72) to 7.8 (50).
A major momentum shift came when resting Swifts Creek ruckman Alastair Commins intercepted an errant kick-in after he had missed from close range.
His goal made the margin 13 points and two more goals in quick succession to Jamie Barton and Daniel Hayes provided the Demons with an important buffer.
Swifts Creek’s Tom Crellin won the best-on-ground medal and brother Robert kicked two important goals in the last term to snuff out any chance of an Omeo-Benambra late fightback.
HOLT, DICKSON STAR
In the Southern league, legendary Cranbourne spearhead Marc Holt filled another bag as the Eagles bounced battling St Kilda City by 110 points at the Peanut Farm, 23.18 (156) to 6.10 (46). Holt kicked seven goals and fought a spirited duel with City’s Irish full-back Matthew O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan is in his first year of football and Holt praised his efforts on the last line for a depleted home team. But ace on-baller Kirk Dickson took most of the spoils for Cranbourne with a haul of eight goals. Cranbourne is the reigning premier and will meet Dingley in a qualifying final next week. Meanwhile, St Kilda City will drop to Division 2 after a season punctuated by a mass exodus near the close of clearances.
BALWYN BOUNCES BLACKBURN
Balwyn has ended Blackburn’s season in the Eastern league’s Premier Division with a 17.12 (114) to 7.8 (50) elimination final victory at Bayswater Oval on Saturday.
The Tigers piled on eight goals to none in the opening term for a 48-point quarter-time lead before Blackburn cut the deficit to 24 at the half with a five-goal second quarter.
But Balwyn answered in the third term with six majors to put the result beyond doubt. Nathan Oakes led the Tigers’ charge, finishing with three goals.
SAINTS MARCH TO GRAND FINAL
South Belgrave will contest its third grand final in four years after shaking off a gallant Montrose, 11.5 (71) to 7.10 (52), in the Eastern league’s Division 1.
The Saints will shoot for a third consecutive flag after saluting in 2019 (Division 3) and 2022 (Division 2). They’ll await the winner of next weekend’s preliminary final.
HAWKS INTO DECIDER
Boronia has won its way through to the Eastern Division 2 grand final after accounting for Templestowe 17.11 (113) to 7.6 (48).
It’s the Hawks’ second grand final in five years, with the club winning the Division 3 cup in 2018.
Locked into a prelim final next weekend, Templestowe will meet the winner of Sunday’s Waverley Blues-Heathmont semi-final for a spot in the decider.
EAGLES BOOK GRAND FINAL TICKET
Ferntree Gully is through to the Eastern league Division 3 grand final, following an 11.10 (76) to 8.10 (58) win over Oakleigh District.
Less than a kick separated the pair at the first and main breaks before the Eagles pulled away by 18 points at the final change.
They’ll meet Donvale in the decider at Ringwood’s Jubilee Park on September 2, in a bid to secure their first senior flag since 2016.
DEVILS GO BACK-TO-BACK
The Eastern Devils have claimed back-to-back premierships, edging the SBL Wolves in the Eastern league women’s Premier Division decider, 5.3 (33) to 4.6 (30). The Devils’ Chloe Hunt was named best afield. Meanwhile, Boronia recovered from a goalless opening term to pip The Basin in the Division 1 women’s grand final — 3.8 (26) to 3.3 (21) — with Rachael Slater finishing best on ground.
East Ringwood (Division 2), Kilsyth (Division 3) and Mooroolbark (Division 4) also claimed premierships.
STONECATS TOO GOOD
Frankston YCW has booked a second semi-final date with minor premier Dromana after a 67-point triumph over Pines. The Stonecats led all day in Saturday’s Mornington Peninsula league Division 1 qualifying final, after Josh Patullo booted the first goal just minutes into the opening quarter. Frankston YCW’s attack on the ball and leg speed proved the difference in the 18.14 (122) to 8.7 (55) win; the Stonecats’ premiership defence alive and well.
COUGARS WIN THROUGH
East Keilor has secured a historic EDFL Premier Division finals place after 31-point win over Aberfeldie.
The Cougars ran away with the contest in the final term as Chris Stewart booted four goals.
FIRST EDFL GRAND FINALISTS IN
Deer Park has won through to the EDFL Division 1 grand final after beating Rupertswood.
Meanwhile, Oak Park is into the Division 2 decider after beating Taylors Lakes.
PARKSIDE EARN SHOT AT REDEMPTION
Parkside won through to the WRFL Division. 2 grand final after overcoming Albion by 16 points.
The Magpies lost last year’s decider.
DOVES SET DATE WITH VAMPIRES
Doveton has set itself a date with minor premiers East Brighton after handing Murrumbeena a 15-point defeat in the Southern league first semi-final.
The Doves hadn’t beaten the Lions in either of the two home and away matches this year but prevailed at Mordialloc’s Ben Kavanagh Reserve on Saturday.
The win gives the Doves, the only team to defeat East Brighton this year, another shot at the Nick Jewell’s Vampires for a place in the Division 2 grand final.
If the Doves are to win, it would be two grand final berths in as many seasons.
Murrumbeena will play the winner of Sunday’s elimination final between Highett and Hampton Park.
TIGER TIME
South Mornington has advanced to the Southern league Division 4 grand final in both grades with a pair of wins over Moorabbin Kangaroos.
The reserves won convincingly before the seniors edged out the Roos with a strong second half.
The Tigers, who have lost just one game combined across the senior and reserve grades, haven’t tasted premiership glory since 2012.
MOONEY SPARKS POWER
Laurimar teenager Noah Mooney performed some late magic to help the Power deny a barnstorming Mernda in Saturday’s Northern league Division 3 second semi-final at Whittlesea. Mernda trailed by 22 points at three quarter time but kicked a bunch of goals to hit the front before Mooney was the hero for Laurimar, kicking two late goals; the go-ahead goal coming from a brave mark when he ran back with the flight of the ball. Mooney finished with four goals as Laurimar won 11.9 (75) to 9.10 (64). In Division 1, Hurstbridge will play finals for the first time in its history after beating Macleod by 15 points, 11.19 (85) to 10.10 (70).
PERFECT KEILOR
Mick McGuane’s Keilor notched up a perfect home-and-away season with a thumping 97-point win over Essendon Doutta Stars on Saturday, 18.12 (120) to 3.5 (23). Matthew Clark slotted four goals, while Campbell Gray, Christos Kosmas and Kane Barbuto kicked three each for the Bulldogs, who have dominated competition in the Essendon District league, winning their 18 games by an average margin of 80 points. Keilor is boiling premiership favourites.
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