IT was a day for the underdogs as both Barwon SC and Surfside Waves caused major upsets in last Saturday’s GRFC Women’s Division semi-finals to advance through to this weekend’s Grand Final showdown at Stead Park.

PHOTO: As the final whistle was blown, Surfside players screamed in jubilation, while the pain on the Kardinia players was plain to see (Photo: Patrick Callow)

It may have taken a total of 120 minutes, but Barwon SC managed to hold out for a scoreless draw with the highly fancied Deakin Ducks.

As a result, the match went into a penalty shoot-out, which the Blue and Whites were able to win 3-2 and progress through to Saturday’s season decider.

The game was played at the neutral Stead Park, as Deakin’s ground was unavailable. It worked well for Barwon, as the Grovedale outfit will be back there for Saturday’s Grand Final showdown with the high flying Surfside Waves.

The Waves were also forced into an extra time effort with the minor premiers, Kardinia International College, at Kardinia on Saturday.

In glorious sunshine, Kardinia scored just before half time through Ella Polglaze and it appeared the runaway minor premiers would run away with the semi final.

The Waves, however, had different ideas as they continued to battle hard and worked well for each other after the break.

Kardinia kept pressing with a long ball game but in a dramatic finish to normal time, the Waves had a series of corners - one of which was taken by Cath Sattler and finished superbly with an outstanding header by Nicole Mills with just four minutes to go.

Surfside had the momentum and went into extra time with all guns blazing. Their efforts were rewarded in the first period of extra time when Sattler managed to chip the ball home following a half clearance by the Kardinia ‘keeper.

The Waves managed to hold out until the final whistle, sparking frenzied celebrations from the Ocean Grove team, while the Kardinia players slumped to the ground with disappointment.

Whilst both Deakin and Kardinia players will be left to lament on the season that slipped away from them, the ladies from Barwon and Surfside will be eagerly awaiting Grand Final day at Stead Park on Saturday.

Kick-off is scheduled for 12:30pm.