Saturday 15th August provided ideal weather conditions to kick off the Loy Yang Power TDJFL 2009 Finals Series. A huge crowd paid a record gate to witness 8 games of high class junior football, showcasing the talents of many local footballers competing in our League.
In the Under 10 First Semi Final, Southside took on Combined Saints and jumped to a early lead by kicking the opening 3 goals of the game that was to prove pivotal in the end result. Combined Saints improved their scoring pressure in the second term, but Southside were able to extend their advantage at the long break, and lead by 23 points. Combined Saints outscored Southside in the last two quarters, but not by enough, with Southside running out winners 41 to 22 and moving into the Prelim Final next week.
West End who had not lost a game for the season took on TEDAS for the chance to go straight into the Grand Final in the Second Semi Final. This proved to be a very exciting game, with West End kicking the only 2 goals of the opening quarter to lead by as much at the first change. TEDAS matched West End on the scoreboard in the sceond, with both teams kicking 1 goal 2 for the quarter. In the third term, TEDAS made their move, kicking three goals, three behinds to West Ends solitary goal, and hold a 3 point lead at the final change. In what turned out to be a nail biting last quarter, both teams managed a goal each, and West End managed a behind, but this was not enough, allowing TEDAS to end their unbeaten run by two points and move straight into the Grand Final.
Therefore, West End will take on Southside this coming Saturday in the Prelim at 9.00am on JC1, with the winner to meet TEDAS the following Saturday in Grand Final, same time and ground.
TEDAS met Churchill in the Under 12 First Semi Final. This was a very even contest for the first half, with TEDAS kicking 3-1-19 while holding Churchill scoreless. In the second half, Churchills effort improved and provided some scoring opportunities, but TEDAS continued to attack and add scoreboard pressure, running out winners 45 to 8 and a place in the Preliminary Final.
In the Second Semi Final, Combined Saints were hoping to continue their unbeaten season taking on Glengarry whose only loss during the year was to Combined Saints in the Second Semi Final. In what was a tight even first quarter, play was dominated by both backlines, with neither team able to gain an advantage, with scores tied at a point each at quarter time. Much of the same was to continue in the second quarter, with Combined Saints scoring the only goal of the half, and hold a 6 point lead at the long break. Once again in the third quarter, both teams were relentless with their defensive pressure, with only 3 behinds added for the quarter, and Glengarry trailing by 7 points at the final stage and the game up for grabs. In the last quarter, Combined Saints made a few positional changes that proved pivotal to the result, when they added 3 goals 1 to Glengarrys solitary point to run out winners in a classic battle 4-4-28 to 0-3-3 and move straight into the Grand Final.
In the Preliminary Final this Saturday, Glengarry will now take on TEDAS at 10.30am on Stoddart, with the winner to meet Combined Saints in the Grand Final the following weekend, same time and ground.
In the Under 14s, TEDAS met City Juniors in the First Semi Final looking for a place in the following weeks Prelim Final. TEDAS got off to a flyer, kicking 4 goals 4 to 1 goal 3 in the opening quarter and hold a 19 point margin at the first change. City had more scoring shots in the second quarter, but were unable to convert accurately which was going to prove costly, as TEDAS extended their lead to 53 to 26 at half time. The third quarter was a very even affair, with TEDAS not allowing City Juniors to make inroads on their lead, and hold a 5 goal lead going into the last quarter. In the final term, TEDAS came out firing and when City did have a chance to score, it was under pressure which is reflected in their final score of 5-17-47, compared to TEDAS 18-11-119, who now move into the Prelim Final.
The Second Semi Final between West End and Pax Hill was expected to be a close affair, with these teams having a history of tight contests in games gone by. West End got the jump early and skipped away to a handy 25 point lead at quarter time. Pax Hill lifted in the second quarter, and started making inroads in the deficit, outscoring West End for the quarter, and trailed by 17 points at half time. West End definitely had their goal kicking boots on today, as in the third quarter they managed four straight goals and hold their biggest lead of the game at three quarter time of 28 points. The final term, both teams searched for scoring opportunities and created some great team efforts to find avenues to goal, with Pax Hill kicking 6 goals 2 behinds for the quarter, but West End managed 5 straight goals to run out winners 14-3-87 to 10-6-66.
Pax Hill live to fight another day, meeting TEDAS in next Saturdays Preliminary Final at Noon on Stoddart, while West End get the weeks rest by moving straight into the Grand Final.
The First Semi Final of the Under 16s between Churchill and west End proved to be a very entertaining game from the start. Churchill got off to a good start in the first term to add 4-3-27 to West Ends 2-2-14. West End created more scoring opportunities in the second quarter, reducing Churchills lead to just 6 points at the long break. The third quarter was once again very even, with neither team able to gain a distinct advantage and Churchills lead need was by the slimmest of margins, just 1 point. With the game up for grabs, Churchill opened up with a couple of quick goals, which was the spark West End needed, who replied with two goals in succession to keep them in the contest. However, Churchill finished the stronger with some great team play to kick a further five goals and run out winners and keep their finals hopes alive by 31 points.
Glengarry and TEDAS squared up in the Second Semi Final, having earlier this season played a draw, which was the closest any team came to defeating Glengarry. In the first term, Glengarry displayed some excellent teamwork to work the ball forward and some strong marking to open up a handy 32 to 13 lead at quarter time. The second quarter was much of the same, as they continued their scoreboard dominance, restricting TEDAS to a solitary point, while they added a further 4 goals four and hold a comannding 46 point lead at the long break. Although the scoreboard did not reflect it, the TEDAS boys continued to work hard and try to create opportunities for themselves, but Glengarry were proving to be very frugal in this match, extending their lead by a further 23 points to 69 at the final change. TEDAS fought hard right to the very end, but Glengarry were at the top of their game today as they ran out winners 118 to 34 and move straight into the Grand Final in two weeks. TEDAS have the second chance, and will be very keen to knock Churchill off next week in the Preliminary Final at 2pm on Stoddart so that they can have another crack at Glengarry and win the 2009 Premiership.
Last Modified on 16/08/2009 00:07
