Cats avoid straight sets exit

Neerim-Neerim South ensured it would avoid a straight sets exit with a strong performance against Buln Buln.

Having endured its first loss of the season in last week’s second semi-final, the Cats came out firing and never let the Lyrebirds into the contest on the way to winning 11-14 (80) to 23 (15).

Justin Lockett kicked three goals, while Rhys George, Cooper Clancy, Lachlan Guy, Travis McCann and Luke Johnson were also prominent as the Cats kicked away.

Kyan Willis, Bailey Wright, Jai Pitkin, Mitchell Crole and Jack Storey battled against the odds for Buln Buln.

Industrials advance

Warragul Industrials put an end to Poowong’s fight in the under 16s, scoring a comfortable win 9-13 (67) to 5-0 (30).

The Magpies had scrapped their way deep into the finals series and were in touch at the first change, but the Industrials ultimately proved too strong.

They kicked five goals to three across the second and third quarters to all but kill the contest.

A left foot floater from the boundary from Oliver Marek sailed through the middle and from there the fired up Industrials took control.

A goal deep in the game looked to cap a strong performance that was only marred by a fracas on the final siren, with an alleged strike from a Poowong player sparking an ugly melee that also involved officials and spectators.

While the Industrials have won through to the grand final they will face a nervous wait at tonight’s tribunal, with the umpires putting the Industrials runner and a player into the book.

Marek, Harrison Perry, Matthew Clynes, Hunter Dowel and Xavier Ford helped lift the Industrials to victory.

Goal kickers and better players for Poowong were not available at time of going to print.