By Marcus Uhe
A spot in the Outer East premier division grand final is on the line next week when Wandin face Narre Warren in a much-anticipated clash.
The Bulldogs earned the right to contest for direct qualification after defeating Yarra Valley rivals Woori Yallock at Narre Warren’s Kalora Park on Saturday afternoon by 34 points.
The Tigers kept pace with Nick Adam’s side for much of the first half and led at quarter time, but a scoreless second quarter allowed the potent Bulldogs to take a 16-point lead into the long break.
The Bulldogs took hold of the contest with 16 scoring shots to eight after half time, and could have put the contest to bed in the third quarter, but kicked just 2.6 for a 19-point lead at three-quarter-time.
4.4 to 2.1 in the final term secured the 12.16 88 to 8.6 54 victory, and the date with Narre Warren.
Woori Yallock will need to get the better of Pakenham to keep their premiership dreams alive, after the Lions completed another signature comeback to end Upwey Tecoma’s season on Saturday at Emerald’s Chandler Reserve.
Upwey Tecoma led by 29 points early in the second quarter as a Lions side lacking experience in the heat of finals footy found the adjustment to the intensity and physicality difficult.
Key forwards Jordan Stewart and Nathan Kannemeyer swung the game in the second term, however, kicking four between them for Pakenham to hit the lead at half time.
Five goals to three in Pakenham’s favour saw them clinch a 19-point lead at the final break, with the Tigers showing some fight after falling down by 23 points midway through the term.
A dramatic final quarter saw Upwey Tecoma kick the opening three goals to cut the margin to three points before Pakenham vice-captain James Harrison answered back to calm the nerves of his Lions.
Daniel Waters responded for the Tigers, but three goals to Jake Thompson in the dying stages was enough to see Pakenham home by 19 points.
In Division One, Berwick Springs sealed progression to the grand final thanks to an enthralling extra time win over Emerald at Woori Yallock.
Scores were tied at 106 at the end of regular time, thanks to a seven-goal-to-five final quarter in favour of the Titans.
The lead changed hands four times down the stretch before two three-minute halves of overtime were required to determine a victor.
With injuries to David Johnson and Noah Van Haren, Emerald’s rotations were limited and fatigue set in, with the Titans kicking three goals in extra time to the Bombers’ nil for a 19-point victory, 19.11 125 to 14.22 106.
Emerald will lick its wounds and head back to Woori Yallock to face Healesville next week for a spot in the grand final, after the Bloods snuck home with a thrilling two-point win over Seville.
