Phillip Island into grand final
Phillip Island have booked the first place in the West Gippsland football grand final, comfortably accounting for Koo wee rup in Saturday’s second semifinal at Cora Lynn, 9-13 (67) to 5-7 (37).
With eyes on other competition fancies the Bulldogs have only came to the fore in premiership conversations in recent times, with a late surge in the home and away season helping the consistent Bulldogs to a top of the table finish.
They only advanced their credentials against fellow premiership aspirant Koo wee rup on Saturday, whose pace and hard running proved far too much to handle for Nar Nar Goon in the qualifier.
It was the Bulldogs’ ability to stay in the contest while kicking against the scoring end that proved the difference, allowing the Island to come away with a 30-point win.
James Taylor kicked the first goal of the match as the Island hung in against the breeze in the first term.
Two goals from Jason Wells ensured the Demons would take a narrow lead into quarter time, btu the Bulldogs would take advantage in the second term to open a buffer.
Goals to Hayden Bruce, Jaymie Youle, Taylor and Alexander Officer helped the Bulldogs to a 22-ppint advantage at the long break.
The Bulldogs’ ability to hold firm in a third quarter arm wrestle again proved invaluable, setting up an opportunity to control the match in the final term.
When Marcus Wright scored the first goal of the third term against the breeze at the 16minute mark, it was always going to be difficult for the Demons to come back.
Wells kicked truly in time on to reduce the margin to 16-points and when Luke McMaster scored in the opening five minutes, the game was well and truly alive.
But the Bulldogs were able to steady.
A goal to Alexander Redmond was followed by consecutive goals to Aaron Edwards to make it three goals in eight minutes and kill off any chance the Demons had to get back into the game.
With the result beyond doubt neither side could produce a score in the final 10-minutes.
Demons book place
Koo wee rup booked its place in the Reserves grand final, comfortably accounting for Inverloch-Kongwak 12-8 (80) to 2-5 (17).
Taking a narrow eight-point lead into the first change, the Demons kicked eight consecutive goals to put the match in their keeping.
Jack Carson booted three goals, while Daniel Mullen, Ben Miller, Xavier Quigley, Neil Watson and Matthew Drommel were also prominent.
Cobras win through
An explosive second half helped Cora Lynn book its place in the under 18s grand final.
Facing a narrow deficit at half time, the Cobras scored seven goals to one in the second half to run away with it, 8-7 (55) to Phillip Island’s 3-3 (21).
Lewis Wellwood, Liam Taylor, Jay Verghagen, Levi Munns, Corey Batson and Taiki Skipworth led a dominant second half.
Bulldogs win tight one
Phillip Island accounted for Koo wee rup in a tight under 16s final, 6-2 (38) to 3-5 (23).
Five goals to one in the first quarter set up an unassailable lead for the Bulldogs, who made the most of better conditions early.
The Demons worked their way back into the contest, but were not helped by a turn in conditions.
Bradley Eager, Kalin Parker, Lachlan McLeod, Matthew Voss, Gerard Giacco and Jason Stokkel ensured the Demons would fight it out until the end.