NEWTOWN & Chilwell will be without Jacob Spolding for the finals series after its star playing coach broke his hand in Saturday's win over Lara at Elderslie Reserve.
The Eagles will again meet the Cats in Sunday's elimination final, just eight days after recording a crunch 18.5 (113) to 16.9 (105) victory.
Lara maintained fifth place after sixth-placed Colac failed to overcome South Barwon.
Spolding has been ruled out of the finals, while doubt surrounds the fitness of Mick Foster (hamstring) and Tim McKinnon, who suffered concussion following a second-term altercation with Cat Kane Smith, which culminated in McKinnon being reported and sent off.
"I've got a couple of breaks in the hand and I'll see the surgeon on Tuesday. It's not a great result," a disappointed Spolding said after the game.
Newtown gained the ascendancy early, finishing the opening term with a spread of six individual goal-kickers, five of whom were first-year recruits.
Eagles captain Jarrod McCorkell had a big influence on the game, while ruckman Cain Ackland and rover Matt McMahon were dominant at the stoppages.
"We all stepped up a little bit and Doug Scott (assistant coach) really made up for Jacob's absence. Looking back, it was a great effort by the boys and every single one of us put our hand up, getting the job done when it counted," veteran defender Bernie Lynch said.
"I think we brought some really good form in from last week, so we just wanted to keep doing what we were doing; putting the extra pressure on, getting the tackles up and we knew it would fall our way."
While Lynch's tall role down back would be crucial throughout the match, it was his forward counterpart, Braden Hocking, who won over the crowd with seven goals (four in the third term).
The former Sandhurst Dragon (Bendigo FL), admitted his tally was influenced by Ackland, who recorded five goal assists.
"Cain's experience really helps us out and to have him in the middle and run the show settles the rest of us boys down," the 20 year-old Hocking said. "I was just lucky enough to get on the end of a few."
Dane McFarlane may also come into selection calculations for the Eagles next week after playing in Geelong's VFL win on Friday.
Hocking has looked set to have cemented his spot in the side as a replacement for Jordan Crerar (who suffered a collapsed lung against South Barwon) since making his GFL senior debut in Round 15, against Bell Park
"His last few weeks have been fantastic. All he wants to do is keep learning and improving and it was fantastic to see him get some reward today" said Lynch.
As the two sides face off this Sunday, Newtown & Chilwell will have a variety of reserves players available for selection while Dane McFarlane (who played in Geelong's VFL win on Friday) is also eligible to play in the GFL finals.
Spolding revealed the two options will be assessed this week in addition to senior contenders situated in the Eagles Colt's side
Last Modified on 23/01/2014 18:49
