Demons advance to grand final
Koo wee rup have advanced to the West Gippsland football grand final after accounting for a wasteful Nar Nar Goon in the preliminary final at Garfield.
The match was nip and tuck for the first three quarters as the lead changed hands several times.
Trailing by just three points at the final change, the Goon wasted opportunities in the final term with a return of 1-6.
It was the break the Demons needed, booting 3-1 for the quarter to win 10-9 (69) to 7-17 (59).
Goals to Jason Wells and Mitchell Collins saw the Demons break away early in the final term but the Goon were able to wrest back momentum, with a goal to Jake Smith bringing the margin back to seven points.
A steadying goal to Wells punctuated a run of four consecutive behinds to the Goon, and was enough for the Demons to stave off defeat to book a date with Phillip Island in Saturday’s grand final.
Earlier, it had taken until the 11 minute mark to see the first major of the match from Nathan Voss.
Liam Hetherington followed up to create an early buffer for the Demons, but goals to Smith and Tom Dovaston gave the Goon a slight advantage at the first change.
The Goon carried the momentum into the second term with a Matthew Stevens major extending the lead to three goals.
The Demons hit back through Voss and Nathan Lieshout to close the margin to just four points at the long break.
Goals to Wells, Anthony Giuliano and Ben Kerrigan were countered by majors to Trent Armour and Smith as the Demons took a threepoint lead into the final change.
The Demons were able to finish stronger, assisted by some inaccuracy from the Goon.
Wells finished with three goals for the Demons, including the clutch goal to sink the Goon.
Nathan Muratore, David Collins, Mitchell Collins, Kerrigan, Brodie Yapp and Caleb Milojevic also led the charge to help the Demons book a place in the grand final.
Sam Blackwood, Smith (three goals), Daniel Battaglin, Troy Toussaint, Todd Beck and Armour ensured the Demons would have to work hard for the win.
Sea Eagles advance
Inverloch-Kongwak advanced to the Reserves grand final, comfortably accounting for Nar Nar Goon 8-12 (60) to 4-8 (32).
The Sea Eagles overcame early inaccuracy to kick away in the second half, scoring six goals to three.
Sam Van der Zalm, Toby Sherer, Ben Scanlon, Jarrod Hamling, Daniel Mason and Michael Van Roy were the better players for Nar Nar Goon.
Bulldogs win through
Phillip Island overcame a determined Garfield to advance in the under 18s.
Leading by just three points at the final change, the Bulldogs kicked the final two goals of the match to win 6-6 (42) to 4-5 (29).
Scott Simpson-Brewer led efforts to keep Garfield in the match with three goals, while Ethan Sauze, Trent McMahon, Noah Glen and Ty Jackson Miller were also prominent.
Demons thump Goon
Koo wee rup thumped Nar Nar Goon in the under 16s.
The Demons jumped out of the blocks and were never headed against an inaccurate Goon side, winning 9-8 (62) to 1-9 (15).
Nicholas Bindley kicked three goals, while Matthew Voss, Archie Whitta, Ethan McDonald, Lachlan McLeod and Jason Stokkel also led the charge in a strong victory.
Aidan Pipicelli, Nate Pipicelli, Flynn Parker, Harrison Brain, Hayden Carney and Bailey Beet were the better players for the Goon.