Crows set up Saints battle
Longwarry will renew hostilities with Nyora next week with a place in the grand final up for grabs after the Crows ran away from the Warragul Industrials to win 17-8 (110) to 10-10 (70).
The Crows kicked five goals to two in the second term to create a buffer and while the Industrials were able to remain in touch at the final change, the Crows added five goals to two in the final term as the Industrials ran out of legs.
It was a real arm wrestle early, as the Crows battled to a three-point lead at the first change.
Riley Rundell roved front and centre to score the Crows’ first, and his first of four for the afternoon.
The Industrials won the resultant centre clearance to find Shane Brewster for the immediate reply.
Mitch Davies converted a long shot to put the Industrials in front.
Nathan Fry goaled from a free kick to level the scores.
An inspirational goal in the run from the boundary by Longwarry’s Harley Jones lifted the Crows, and from there they would never relinquish the lead.
Jones was in on the action again soon after, winning a free kick for a run-down tackle and finding Rundell on the lead for the Crows’ fourth.
The Industrials rolled through a goal on the siren to pull the margin back to three points, but it would be as close as they would get as the Crows went on a second quarter roll to establish a handy buffer at the long break.
A goal from a boundary throw in was followed by Daniel Fry converting from the corridor, and when Longwarry goaled from a free kick for deliberate out of bounds it made it three on the run to gap their opposition.
A 50-metre penalty helped Luke O’Brien steady for the Industrials, but a running goal from Kane Oldham provided the immediate response.
A long goal extended the lead for Longwarry and just as things were looking as if they might get ugly, Jack Blakey took a strong mark in the goal square for a much-needed goal.
Longwarry’s ability to lock down on Tyson Bale after a strong start by the Industrials midfielder was a key factor in the Crows establishing their 21-point buffer.
The Industrials scored the first goal of the third term to inspire a competitive effort that gave them some hope heading into the final term.
The Industrials kicked the first goal of the second half, but a long running goal from Jake Delphine was followed by a well-waited kick to Daniel Fry as the Crows threatened to run away with it.
The Industrials stuck to their task, adding the next two goals to go into the final change still in touch.
Heading into the final change believing they were in with a sniff, a checkside goal to reduce the margin provided some early inspiration.
Braydon McHugh took a shot from centre half forward and while he shanked his kick, it made it to the safe arms of Rundell straight in front to break the Industrials’ spirit.
The Crows would add the next three goals to put the result beyond doubt.
Tye Holland scored a consolation goal but Fry was able to cap off a strong performance from his team, scoring the last goal of the match from a well-timed lead for his fifth.
Riley Rundell, Jakob Serong, Brody Rundell, Troy Lehman, Delphine and Nicholas Redley helped the Crows to a strong victory.
Bale, Brewster, Davies, Holland, Blakey and Travis Ogden helped the Industrials compete in patches.