EAGLES HAVE LANDED AGAIN It must be NTFL finals time as Wanderers rs strike to upset Nightcliff ff
WANDERERS qualified for a second semi-final matchup with archrivals St Mary’s when they beat Nightcliff by 22 points last night.
The Eagles’ 12.13 (85) to 8.15 (63) erased memories of three successive losses to Nightcliff this season and proved yet again that the 100-year club can find another gear at finals time.
Wanderers made the early running when the lively Justin Smart and Liam Patrick booted goals to give them an early break on the back of some good work by ruckman Josh Wilson and Aaron Motlop.
But Nightcliff looked like a side on a mission when they booted the next five goals, including three to Kwame McHarg, who maintained his record of performing in big games with strong marking and quality finishing.
Jason Cole and Brodie Filo were the main suppliers for McHarg, while Seb Guilhaus at centre bounces and up forward and Patrick Taban at centre half back were important pieces in the Nightcliff jigsaw.
Their intent was tested early in the third quarter when the mercurial Patrick and Shannon Motlop booted quick goals to get Wanderers to within a goal. Nightcliff responded as good sides do with a goal by captain-coach Troy Coates, strangely quiet until he popped up with a mark and goal from an angle to restore parity.
McHarg’s fourth goal from 40 metres out shot them three goals clear again until Wanderers gained their third wind with goals to Adam Tipungwuti, Davin Ferreira and Jackson Hollmer turned the game around again.
The turnaround was simple, getting hands on the ball. Neil Vea Vea in a ruck roving role with occasional runs in the ruck, Joel Cubillo on the dangerous Jason Cole and inspirational skipper Jarred Erlandson were the wings of the Eagles.
It took the unlikely figure of Tiger defender Patrick Taban to stop the rot with a rare goal, but it was Wanderers’ night.