South Morang through to NFL Division 3 grand final, defeating Old Eltham Collegians

South Morang is through to its third grand final in four seasons, hoping to end its promotion wait, after ending Old Eltham Collegians’ season.

South Morang will play its third grand final in four seasons hoping to break its promotion hoodoo.

The Lions booked their ticket to the big dance with a dominant 45-point win over Old Eltham Collegians at Whittlesea Showgrounds on Saturday.

The 15.14 (104) to 9.5 (59) victory sets up a fifth bout against arch-rival Laurimar, each team having snared two wins this season, for the NFL Division 3 premiership on Saturday.

It’s been a case of so close but so far for South Morang since returning to Division 3 in 2014.

The Lions bowed out in the preliminary final in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018 and lost grand finals in 2017 to Banyule and 2019 to Panton Hill.

Kain Hall chases the ball down for South Morang. Picture: Hamish Blair

Coach Gary Hall said a flag was there for the taking.

“If any of the other games (against Laurimar) are any indication it should be a good game, we’re looking forward to it,” he said.

“I’ll be expecting a close one again, if the conditions are good, we can get a good crowd out there, and hopefully we can do the job.

“We were just flat (last time), it’s up to us if we want it enough, it’s there for the taking.

“This is three grand finals in four years, we’ve got a bit of experience there and they know what heartbreak has been. We’re really keen and ready to go.”

South Morang jumped out to a 20-point lead at quarter-time, keeping Old Eltham to a single behind in the opening term.

The Lions extended their advantage to 26 points at half-time and had the game in the bag at three-quarter-time after booting five goals to two to establish a 47-point margin.

Facing a near impossible task, the Turtles won the final quarter to end their season with some pride.

Ben Petersen and Jake Potter kicked three goals each for South Morang, while Liam Jolly was best-on-ground.

Jolly, stepping into the ruck in place of suspended pair Nathan Stefanile and Aaron Lazaric, showed off his athleticism and pushed forward to kick a goal.

Jake Potter in action for South Morang earlier this season. Picture: Hamish Blair

“He’s such an agile, athletic boy, he could ruck all day if he needed but he’s also so dangerous up forward,” Hall said.

“It’s pretty handy when you lose your two top ruckmen and you get someone like him stand up, it helps a lot.

“Last year I think he won the reserves B&F by about 30 votes, he was so good, he’s got in the side this year and taken his opportunity and its paying dividends now.”

Petersen, Nathan Bell, Sam Hutton and Matt Trim were also among the Lions’ best, while Nick Snowdon, Matt Quinton, Seb Francis-Perkins and Jack Fitzgerald were Collegians’ top performers.

Laurimar claimed a 26-point win over South Morang in the major semi-final a fortnight ago to win through to the decider.

The Power won by 19 points in Round 6 at Laurimar Reserve before South Morang scored 23 and 21-point victories in rounds 14 and 17 at Mill Park Lakes Reserve.

The last time the pair faced off at Whittlesea Showgrounds, the Lions took a 10-point win in the 2019 preliminary final.

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Hall was confident his side had learnt from its mistakes a fortnight ago.

“We were just a little flat the week before, I think it was a combination of a few hard games in the lead up, a few guys missing and the conditions,” he said.

“We started flat and you can’t do that in a final or you’ll pay the price and that’s what happens.”

South Morang will also contest the reserve grade grand final against Mernda, while in the under-19s the Demons will face Watsonia.