Soaring Eagles primed to down finals-shaky Bombers
THE Paul Motlop-coached Wanderers has advanced to the next stage of the Northern Territory Football League finals after the Eagles' 14-point, 12.11 (83) to 10.11 (71), win over Waratah at the weekend.
Wanderers, which last won a flag in the 1992/93 season, will play in this weekend's first semi-final against the Tiwi Bombers after the islanders lost its qualifying final by six points, 14.9 (93) to 13.9 (87), to Shannon Rusca's revitalised Southern Districts.
Former North Melbourne and Melbourne half-forward Shannon Motlop's three goals helped edge the Eagles past the Warriors in a tight contest. It sets the stage for an intriguing match-up: the form side (Wanderers) against a team (Tiwi) unable to crack its first finals win.
The record this season, however, stands at Tiwis 3-Eagles 0; the Bombers winning by 53 points (Round 2), 1 point (Rd.10) and 9 points (Rd.14) in their three encounters.
The Bombers' six-point defeat at the hands of Southern Districts on Saturday, which came only when Crocs forward Ashley Wedding snatched a goal in time-on, continues a worrying trend in crunch games for the islanders. The Tiwis face the prospect of repeating last season's straight sets finals exit this weekend should they lose on Saturday.
Southern Districts face the juggernaut that is St Mary's in Saturday's second semi-final.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Last Modified on 05/03/2009 11:48