VAFA Division 2: Old Paradians secures promotion with preliminary final win over Whitefriars
OLD Paradians are confident they can turn the tables on UHS-VU and cap a memorable VAFA campaign with success in the Division 2 grand final this weekend.
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OLD Paradians are confident they can turn the tables on UHS-VU and cap a memorable VAFA campaign with success in the Division 2 grand final this weekend.
The Raiders clinched promotion to Division 1 with a 12.8 (80) to 8.12 (60) victory over Whitefriars on Sunday at Highgate Reserve, kicking five goals to one in the last quarter.
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UHS-VU has been the form team since the midway point of the campaign, winning its last 15 matches after a 22-point defeat to Old Paradians in Round 4.
The grand finalists have been the two standout sides throughout 2018, however the Vultures have won their past two clashes by 57 points in Round 16 and 16 points in the major semi-final.
Raiders vice-captain Warren Jeffrey said his side was capable of replicating its 2015 grand final triumph and toppling UHS-VU.
“They only got us by a couple of goals in the second semi and we were coming pretty hard at them in the last quarter,” he said.
Michael Boundy provided a focal point in attack in Sunday’s 20-point victory, finishing with three majors, and Jeffrey said the spearhead would prove a trump card after missing the semi-final.
“He really straightened us up on the weekend. He’s huge for us down forward, he gives us a key figure to kick too,” he said.
Old Paradians was cruising to the decider when it led by 31 points at halftime, having restricted Whitefriars to one goal in the opening half.
But the Friars roared to life in the third term, registering 6.6 to 1.0 to claim a five-point advantage.
With a focus on reclaiming their dominance in the clinches, the Raiders wrenched back the lead in the early stages of the last quarter before kicking clear.
“We celebrated, got around each other and then we started thinking about this week and getting our bodies right,” Jeffrey said.
“Everyone was happy, but still one more to go yet.”
James Kandilakis bagged five goals in the victory, while Jeffrey, David Huntley and James Kappos stood tall.
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