VAFA 2018: Old Paradians’ promotion hopes on the line in preliminary final against Whitefriars
OLD Paradians will collide with Whitefriars for the third time this year in a VAFA Division 2 preliminary final, with promotion and a grand final berth at stake.
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SKIPPER Chris Kandilakis’ 200th VAFA game could not inspire Old Paradians to a victory in the Division 2 semi-final on Sunday.
Facing UHS-VU with direct progression to this year’s grand final and promotion up for grabs, the Raiders were beaten 12.9 (81) to 9.11 (65).
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The Vultures led at every change at Coburg City Oval, but never took a complete stranglehold on the semi-final.
However, they were able to keep Old Paradians at arm’s length for much of the contest, leading by 12 points at halftime and 20 at three-quarter-time before clinching a 16-point victory.
It was a much improved performance from the Raiders than three weeks prior, when UHS-VU cantered to a 57-point win in Round 16 of the home-and-away season.
The success of Old Paradians’ campaign will be determined this Sunday when it meets Whitefriars in a preliminary final at Craigieburn’s Highgate Reserve.
Whitefriars claimed victory in the knockout semi-final on Sunday against Yarra Old Grammarians, 14.13 (97) to 11.11 (77).
The preliminary finalists have enjoyed two close battles this year, with Old Paradians triumphing by four points in Round 8 and Whitefriars claiming their return bout by eight in Round 15.
The Raiders will be hopeful David Huntley, Warren Jeffrey and Michael Deligiorgis can continue the form they displayed at the weekend, with Kandilakis, Byron Walton and Ryan Jeffrey their side’s multiple goalkickers on Sunday.
Gerard Hawkins (three goals) was one of the Vultures’ matchwinners, while Gerard Sharrock and Thomas Howard helped clinch a place in Division 1 in 2019 for UHS-VU.
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