In the minor semi-finals Balmain 3.0.18 5.2.32 9.3.57 15.4.94 defeated Bondi Shamrocks 1.0.6 5.1.31 5.1.31 6.5.41.
The Dockers shot out to an early lead and had the kicking boots today scoring a 75% accuracy rating. Equal golden boot winner Marie Keating (Shamrocks) suffered an early injury in the first quarter to her ankle and was unable to participate in the rest of the game, whilst Karla Spilarewicaz was stretchered off but made a recovery to play in the second half.
The Shamrocks restructured their side in the second quarter to score 5 goals and the upset was on, trailing by one point a half time. Unfortunately half time was the worst thing to happen to the Shamrocks with their fullback leaving to go to a wedding and an inspirational speech by the Dockers full-forward Nat Morgan which got the Dockers fired up. Despite the ball being camped at the Shamrocks forward 50m zone, the Shamrocks were unable to convert for any score and the Dockers counterattacked for goals and killed the game in the 3rd and 4th quarter. The Dockers were dominant in the last quarter and completed the minor semi-final in convincing fashion by 53 points.
The Shamrocks can now commence their Mad Monday celebrations whilst the Dockers move to the Preliminary Semi-Final.
In the major semi-final Wests 5.14.44 defeated Newtown 6.4.40.
Newtown shot out of the blocks to be leading but the main change momentum was in the 3rd quarter where the Wests Forwards were able to camp in their forward 50m zone. Whilst the Western Wolves weren't always able to convert into goals, their behinds meant that Newtwon couldn't get their run-on game and rarely moved the ball past the center circle. In the final quarter Newtown applied pressure but it was to be the Wolves who dominated ground position and possession. Newtown kicked the final goal with less than 10 seconds to go but it was to be the Wolves who won. It was once again a great game worthy of a grand final between the two sides.
The Western Wolves now move to the 2009 Grand Final on 5 September which is their 9th Grand Final.
Newtown with the second chance move to the preliminary final (home rooms) take on Balmain Dockers (away rooms) next Saturaday at Marrickville.
Preliminary Preview:
The Newtown Breakaways will be smarting after their first loss of the year and I expect to see renewed intensity at training at both Monday and Wednesday night sessions. They'll be facing against the Balmain Dockers with whom they had a very memorable draw earlier this year. With both teams eager to play in the Grand Final, it'll be a game as Bruce McAvaney says "Delicious!". Last year in the 2008 Preliminary Fianal it was Balmain who triumphed over Newtown 13.7.85 to 6.6.42.
Head to Head record. Newtown 12 Balmain 3 Draw 1
Last Modified on 23/08/2009 14:21