An nine-goal haul by forward Shane Whitnall handed South Morang a spot in the 2011 Division Three Grand Final.
Whitnall destroyed Parkside in Satuday’s second semi final at Epping Recreation Reserve as the Lions romped to a 23.14.152 to 15.9.99 victory.
The Devils tried a number of players on the forward ace, but none to any avail as he dragged in contested marks with ease and kicked beautifully, finishing the day without a behind to his name.
Travis Stevens was superb across half back and used the ball perfectly all day, while Matt Manning was the dominant ruckman on the ground and helped set up several goals with wonderful taps from stoppages to his awaiting midfielders.
Parkside started the game in fine style, with Nicholas Burton kicking the first goal of the game in the opening minutes.
After Whitnall kicked his first of the day, Brad Hockey, who was by far Parkside’s best on the day, and Thomas McKinlay booted two in a row as the Devils raced out to an 18-6 lead after eight minutes of play.
South Morang then settled and Stevens began finding disposals at will across half back and as he continually found targets with long, accurate kicks out of defence.
Whitnall kicked his second with a lovely 50m set shot before Matt Williamson snapped truly from 20m to give the Lions their first lead of the match.
Shane Bamford then slotted a goal from a tight angle after being beautifully assisted by Stevens before Tim Johnson intercepted a Parkside kick-in to boot his side’s fifth for the term and provide a 36-24 lead at quarter time.
Dallas King kicked two quick goals to start the second term to tie proceedings, before South Morang split the game open with seven consecutive goals in 20 minutes.
Troy Jinnette kicked truly as a result of a 50 metre penalty, before Ferraro received another 50 metre advancement only seconds later to push the margin to 13.
With Manning dominating in the ruck, South Morang had the better of the clearance count and its forwards made good use of the great work from their midfielders.
Brayden Meade kicked his first of the day, before Manning tapped a boundary throw-in down Vito Ferraro’s throat who in turn delivered perfectly for Whitnall to kick goal number three.
Another to Whitnall a minute later extended the lead to 31, before Meade added two more and Whitnall another leading in to half time to give South Morang a 43-point advantage at the main break.
Parkside came out fired up in the third term, and as he did in the second term, King kicked the opening goal of the quarter within one minute of the restart.
The Devils began applying more pressure on the South Morang half backs and began winning the centre clearances as they worked their way back into the game.
Hockey was instrumental in this period as Parkside kicked four of the opening five goals of the quarter to cut the margin to just 22 points with six minutes remaining in the term.
Matt Manning gave his side breathing room with a 40m set shot, before Brad Thomas put the game out of reach only moments later as he strolled into an open goal to give the Lions a 35-point buffer at the final change.
Again King kicked the opening goal of the fourth term, but South Morang soon killed off any chance of a Parkside comeback as Jason Ward snuck forward for a goal and Matt Manning and Bamford kicked two more as the South Morang faithful reached full voice with a spot in the Grand Final all but sealed.
The final ten minutes of the game were played with little intensity as both sides looked to avoid contact and injuries. The teams shared three goals apiece before the siren sounded to end Parkside’s misery.
South Morang now enjoys a week off to prepare for its Grand Final appearance on September 10
Last Modified on 09/09/2011 08:52