South Morang overcomes shaky start to down St Mary’s and progress to preliminary final

SOUTH Morang won its first final in four attempts on Sunday to end St Mary’s premiership dream and book a Northern Football League preliminary final against Watsonia.

South Morang’s Nick Johnston celebrates. Picture: Mark Wilson.

SOUTH Morang won its first final in four attempts on Sunday to end St Mary’s premiership dream and book a Northern Football League preliminary final against Watsonia this weekend.

The Lions overcame a shaky start to prevail 10.7 (67) to 8.10 (58) at Whittlesea Showgrounds in the knockout Division 3 semi-final, claiming their first finals victory since the 2014 elimination final.

In just their second senior final, St Mary’s could not have asked for a better start.

The Burra kicked five of the six goals scored in the opening quarter, racing to a 28-point lead at the first break.

St Mary’s could have been further in front, managing nine scoring shots to one as South Morang struggled to match its intensity.

The Lions found a foothold in the contest in the second term, but goals were hard to come by.

Kane Maghamez broke the arm wrestle with the first major of the quarter after 21 minutes, but any signs of a Lions revival were dashed when Dillan Ronalds answered 90 seconds later.

The goal drought continued into the third quarter as the sides went 14 minutes without a major before Anthony Capeci kicked truly to spark the Lions into action.

Benjamin Nesci, Michael Celestin and Paul Harrison followed Capeci’s lead as South Morang booted four straight majors to draw within five points at the final change.

South Morang led for the first time when Matthew Trim goaled one minute into the last quarter.

Daniel Caruso and Luke Shelton continued St Mary’s pain, extending the Lions’ advantage to 20 points as the Burra battled to find an elusive goal.

St Mary’s had mustered only one goal since quarter time until Myles Guldon kicked truly at the 18-minute mark of the last term to give his side hope.

But South Morang held firm for the next 11 minutes until Toby O’Meara slotted a consolation for the Burra.

South Morang will face Watsonia on Saturday at Whittlesea Showgrounds, with the winner to meet Epping in this year’s grand final.