Joeys show they’re back
Premier makes big statement
ST JOSEPH’S coach Heath Jamieson believes his side is capable of challenging for the flag after finding its spark in yesterday’s 33-point victory over South Barwon.
Joeys booked a meeting with Leopold in this weekend’s preliminary final after outmuscling the Swans in the knockout semi-final at GMHBA Stadium.
Out to avoid a straight-sets finals exit, Joeys asserted themselves on the young South Barwon outfit and, if it was not for some woeful goalkicking, the margin would have been more emphatic.
“Although our finishing wasn’t there inside 50, to get as many looks as we did showed our ball movement and flow may have been back a little bit,” coach Heath Jamieson said. “There’s good signs there.” Coming off a 51-point qualifying final loss to St Mary’s last week — and a patchy back end of the regular season — the premier looked sprightly throughout in an improved display.
South Barwon did not register a score in the first quarter, but St Joseph’s inaccuracy meant they could not get a meaningful advantage until the third quarter with goals from James Hickey, Lucas Anderson and late inclusion Jack Buckley (in for Reid Adams).
South Barwon’s Trent Richards kicked two goals to open the final term to cut the margin to 24 points, but majors from the influential Jackson McLachlan and Cam Tudor (two goals) soon after sealed the victory.
“We’ve always been confident in the way we can play our footy, something has fallen away a little bit, but it takes something like today with our effort and intensity around the ball,” Jamieson said.
“McLachlan is such an important in for us, and it just looked like we covered the ground better today.”
Premiership players Cal Mitchell (VFL) and Kieren Paliouras (hamstring) are more than likely to return for the preliminary final, with the renewed belief leaving Jamieson feeling “there still might be a story left to be told”.
“We love playing this time of year. Next Saturday we get another opportunity to get where we want to be and feel