Cats deny Industrials third flag
Neerim-Neerim South denied Warragul Industrials their bid for three consecutive premierships in the Reserves, kicking away in the final term to win 9-9 (63) to 5-1 (31).
The Cats entered the match as slight favorites, having finished the home and away season on top of the ladder and winning through from the second semi-final.
The Industrials troubled NeerimNeerim South for the first three quarters of the match, before the Cats kicked away in the final term as conditions improved for the afternoon following showers in the morning.
Former Geelong and Gold Cost AFL player Nathan Ablett took his place in the Reserves team, but it wasn’t quite enough to inspire the Industrials to a third consecutive premiership.
The Cats held a narrow fourpoint lead at half time, but the Industrials appeared on track when they kicked the first goal of the third term to edge to the lead with Ablett scoring a goal after roving at a boundary throw in.
The Cats went forward and initially couldn’t capitalise but eventually broke through to find Mark Quigley on the lead. He kicked truly to put the advantage back with the Cats.
The Cats burst out of the middle, but the Industrials were able to clear the attack.
Darren Ratten, who was awarded the medal for best on ground, sent the Cats long but the Industrials were able to clear through Ablett.
The Industrials went forward and capitalised when Troy Hemming was held in the contest, putting the home side back in front.
The Cats then began to show signs of getting on top.
Matthew Cumming looked to send the Cats forward, but he got caught holding the ball.
Heath Strating sent the Cats forward with a long kick, but the long searching lead couldn’t be held as the ball drifted out of bounds.
The Cats broke through with an accurate snap on goal to put the Cats back in front.
An Industrials snap on goal from the boundary throw in was denied by a smother, with the Cats able to clear through Douglas Black.
Quigley took a sliding mark on the lead for the Cats to kick his second and give the Cats a 10point lead at the final change.
The Cats pressed on to run away with it in the final term.
After missing a flying snap at goal, Scott Muir made the most of a downfield free kick for a hold to see the Cats kick clear.
The Cats went forward again and while a ball up was forced, a Cats player kicked clear from the pack for another goal.
A soccer kick forward by the Cats was smothered and forced out of bounds as the Industrials maintained their desperation.
Muir took a strong mark but his shot missed.
Time was of the essence, with a mark and goal to Jayden Bell effectively sinking any hopes the Industrials had of making a comeback.
With Ratten moving to Sydney for employment, he capped a fine career with the Cats with a premiership and best on ground medal.
Daniel Fusinato, Matt Hedley, Black, Luke O’Donoghue and Quigley helped the Cats kick away for the premiership.
Cory Melbourne, Dylan Smith, Scott Lindsay, Damien Mullen, Jai Jose and Darcy Nielsen helped the Industrials keep in touch to three-quarter-time.