South Morang stuns Whittlesea to earn NFNL Division 2 grand final berth
South Morang in Division 1? The Lions are only one win away after a stunning semi-final victory over Whittlesea, inspired by Josh Lansfield’s five goals.
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South Morang is just one win away from top flight football.
The Lions booked their NFNL Division 2 grand final ticket on Saturday with a stunning six-point semi-final win over minor premier Whittlesea at Epping Reserve.
It’s the club’s second grand final in the space of two years after winning the Division 3 premiership in 2022.
The 12.11 (83) to 11.11 (77) is also its first win over the Eagles since Round 4, 2007.
Morang’s hero in extra-time last week against Diamond Creek, Josh Lansfield stepped up again with a match-winning five-goal best-on-ground display.
Lions coach Gary Hall said it was a tremendous effort after playing extra-time last week.
“It’s a great team effort, backing up from last week,” he said.
“This week will be light and hopefully whoever plays next week belt each other up.
“I’m just rapt for the boys to showcase their skills in a couple of weeks time.
“To be running out on Preston Oval is going to be a fantastic achievement for them and I’m sure they’ll be ready to go.”
Whittlesea had the better of the opening exchanges but only led by six points at quarter-time.
From there, South Morang was largely in control.
The Lions booted four goals to nil in the second term to take a 20-point lead into half-time.
The Eagles kicked five unanswered goals in the third term and looked to have all the momentum before Morang struck back with the last three majors to take a five-point lead into the final change.
The two heavyweights went punch for punch in the final quarter.
Josh D’Intinosante’s third goal of the day gave the Lions a 17-point lead late in the term and while Whittlesea kicked the last two goals of the game it wasn’t enough.
Hall said the club had taken plenty of learnings from its two home-and-away losses.
“You learn more from losses than wins, you look into more,” he said.
“The last two weeks, the last time we had our full strength side in was Round 1.
“You put things in the back of your head, there’s no point showing your cards early in the year.”
Lansfield kicked three goals in the decisive fourth quarter, finishing with five and named best afield in the win, while Tye Hall and returning ruckman Nathan Stefanile were huge in midfield.
Paul Sidhu, Teague Van Zwienen, Jesse John Christidis also impressed.
“Josh has come into some really good form,” Hall said.
“We’re so dangerous (in attack), when you’ve got JD (Josh D’Intinosante) down there as well, you can’t cover everyone, and Jesse Christidis – he’s only 18 – had another ripping game.
“Our midfield was great, Tye was Tye, Kain and Browny and Nathan Stefanile coming back into the ruck was fantastic.”
South Morang is now on the cusp of Division 1 football.
While records are incomplete, the club was last in the Diamond Valley A-Grade around 1979-80.
It was mired in Division 3 for nine years before winning the flag in 2022.
Hall said the club was well positioned with a strong senior group and plentiful junior pathway.
“It goes back to those COVID years, it put the club on hold a little bit because we were ready to come up back then,” he said.
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“We’ve got the depth, they’re all the right age, at the peak of their powers, and as I said the earlier in the year there’s no excuses.
“They play some of their best football around this time of year, we’ve proved it the last two weeks.”
For Whittlesea, Jaron Murphy, Matthew Coen, Steven Dempsey and Riley Carter were among the best.
The Eagles will now await the winner of Sunday’s minor semi-final between Diamond Creek and Lower Plenty in next week’s preliminary final.
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