Hampden, South West District, Bendigo: South Warrnambool crushes finals rival

South Warrnambool has claimed a crucial mental edge over a fellow finals contender while Cavendish has booked a semi-final berth. See the latest bush footy results.

South Warrnambool claimed a crucial mental edge over fellow Hampden league finals contender North Warrnambool with a decisive 51-point late season victory on Saturday.

South dominated the first term with the assistance of the strong breeze to open a 37-point quarter time lead.

The opening quarter blitz began in the middle of the ground with forwards Max Irving, Shannon Beks and Sam Kelly cashing in on the good work of Archie Stevens and young gun Will White, who is on the comeback trail from injury.

South Warrnambool the clear cut biggest threat to @kfncweb for @HampdenFNL flag after huge win against North Warrnambool. @theweeklytimespic.twitter.com/jPCmf4b6Lp

— David Johnston (@david_johnston5) August 6, 2022

North outscored South in the second term when it had the use of the wind, but still trailed by 25 points at halftime with the South backline led by Harry Lee working overtime.

Reigning Maskell Medal winner Jett Bermingham provided one of the highlights of the match in the second term when he stepped through three opponents to snap a goal for North.

But, an equally important goal was kicked at the other end of the ground from a tough angle by South’s Jett Herrmann.

South is certain to finish second on the ladder and looms as the biggest threat to ladder leader Koroit, but North is still scrapping with Portland for third spot.

Portland blew a golden opportunity to move ahead of North with an eight point loss to Terang-Mortlake.

South Warrnambool coach Mat Battistello. Pictured: supplied

South coach Mat Battistello said his team’s “contested craft” was a decisive factor and helped limit a key rival to just five goals.

“It always starts there, winning the ball first,” he said.

“I thought our boys were outstanding at that and kept their head over the footy and outnumbered at the contest which allowed us to put some scoreboard pressure on.

“You’ve got to win it at that source to start with and I thought our on-ballers were sensational.

“They are coming up against an ex AFL ruckman (Nathan Vardy) who gives them first service.”

North Warrnambool coach Adam Dowie. Picture: Supplied

North coach Adam Dowie said his team was outpointed in most facets of the game, in particular a potent South forward line.

“Their forward line looked really dangerous,” he said.

“It was open and they were able to get a lot of numbers back and get it forward and get some really good one on ones.

“You learn more from a loss than a win.

“It’s a really good chance we’re going to play these blokes in a few weeks.”

Ricky Henderson was South’s most productive forward with three goals.

Both teams lost players to injury in the match with North’s Matt Wines out before halftime with a bad corky and South’s Liam Mullen also sidelined early with a leg injury.

South is set to welcome back former St Kilda player Josh Saunders and Trent Williamson from injury in the run home to finals.

SOUTH WEST DISTRICT

Cavendish has booked a berth in the second semi-final against Coleraine with a 38-point victory over Dartmoor in the qualifying final on Saturday.

Cavendish suffered a major blow in the first term when it lost No. 1 ruckman Will Baulch with a dislocated elbow that almost certainly ended his season.

After a tight first quarter in which both teams kicked one goal each, Cavendish broke the game open in the second term with six goals to three.

Key forward Sam Gibson kicked two of his four goals for the match in the second term as John Coughlan and Lachlan Seed started to get on top in the midfield.

Fullback Chris Quinn also played an important role by holding Dartmoor star forward Christian Howlett to only two goals.

Howlett had kicked 70 goals in the home and away rounds with a season best haul of 10 in round 7.

Aiden Luhrs and Luke Purcell were also prominent for Cavendish with Jayden and Lachlan Polaski and Will Watson in the best for Dartmoor.

Tyrendarra and Heywood meet in the elimination final on Sunday.

BENDIGO

Kyneton remained on track for September action with a crucial 23-point win over another finals aspirant Eaglehawk on Saturday.

Kyneton will play finals if it beats two teams outside the top five, Sandhurst and Maryborough, in the last two rounds with Eaglehawk relying on other teams to stumble to force its way in.

After losing to third placed Golden Square by only eight points last round, Kyneton gained the upper hand against Eaglehawk in the third quarter with three goals to one.

Cameron Manuel was a star for Kyneton with five goals and more than 30 touches and Frazer Driscoll starred at fullback.

Centreman Dean Bartrop also was instrumental in the Kyneton victory on a day when 16-year-old Lachlan Thompson made his senior debut.

Captain James Orr is out with a rib injury, but will be back before finals.

Dillon Williams, Ben Thompson and Clayton Holmes were among Eaglehawk’s best players.

Kyneton coach Paul Chapman. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Kyneton, which is coached by former Geelong star Paul Chapman, can’t finish higher than fourth spot.

South Bendigo, which hasn’t played finals for a decade, was thrashed by second-placed Strathfieldsaye by 54 points.

Joel Brett kicked 10 goals in Golden Square’s massive win against Castlemaine and flag favourite Gisborne did a similar demolition job on Kangaroo Flat.