WRFL: Suns beat Albanvale to win through to Division 3 decider
Dean Cachia booted his 100th goal and the Suns won through to the grand final but it was a brilliant display from a league medallist which should have rivals worried.
Western
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Dean Cachia produced in his big moment and so did his team.
The Suns are through to the Western Region Football League Division 3 grand final after a commanding 18.16 (124) to 10.12 (72) over Albanvale in Saturday’s second semi-final.
But it’s Cachia, the Suns coach, who stole the headlines after bringing up his 100th goal of the season in the third quarter as his side raced away to lead by 39 points at the final change.
He eventually finished with four majors for the afternoon with the Suns now raging hot favourites ahead of the September 11 grand final at Avalon Airport Oval.
It will be the club’s first decider since 2018.
Blake Jago and Josh Foster added three goals apiece.
“It’s great to get it done especially when it’s in the back of your mind and people are talking about it,” Cachia said.
“But to get four goals against quality opposition in Brendan Cassarm who I think is the best defender in the league, is nice as well. I’ve got a lot of respect for him.
“But it was a lot more about the club and the footy we produced on Saturday. I thought we controlled the game from about halfway through the first quarter when we eventually settled.
“Albanvale started better than us.”
While Cachia’s goals proved pivotal, becoming the second man in metro footy to reach triple figures this season, it was the performance of John Tomelty which sent an ominous warning to the Suns’ potential grand final opponent.
After being moved back to centre half-forward, where he won the Division 3 league best and fairest last season, he finished with two goals in a best on ground display.
“Against the better sides he’s always standing up,” Cachia said.
“When we’ve been putting away some sides easily he could have been going through the motions. But when it’s his time to stand up he always has.
“When his mind is on the job, he’s one of the hardest players in the competition to man up on. He’s so fit, so athletic.”
After halftime, the Suns kicked away with nine goals to five.
Cachia said more speed around the footy helped put his side in a stronger position.
Cameron Joyce, Chris Lear, Adam Scarpino, captain Michael Ryan and Kayne Wilson were also impressive for the Suns.
“Clearances is probably the only area we weren’t happy with,” he said
“We put everything into Saturday, we didn’t have a bench in the last quarter because so many guys were cramping. The surface was quite spongy so the week off has probably come at the right time.”
Cachia said he expected a light week on the track for his senior group after a recovery session on Sunday morning.
He said they’d “get around” the reserves who narrowly fell short of a week off of their own after losing to the same opposition by two points.
They’ll now contest a preliminary final.
“It was disappointing both sides couldn’t get through but we’re confident they can bounce back,” he said.
“We want to start moving this club into Division 2 and playing against stronger teams.”
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