Seniors & Reserves did what they had to in hot and fast conditions in order to get to the Second Semi Finals next week. Unfortunately the Under 19’s struck a rather different looking East Ringwood who outplayed them all day and sent them to Ringwood next Sunday against Blackburn.
The Seniors got home by just 16 points after leading by as much as 43 points during the third quarter. The game was never really in doubt in final term except for when a man in white got things very mixed up and paid a double goal kicking free kick. But we had earned the lead with some fantastic footy, particularly straight after half time when in the space of a few minutes the game seemed all over.
Next Saturday in the Second Semi Finals the Seniors will play Norwood and The Reserves play Rowville for a spot in the Grand Final. In the other games, Balwyn beat Blackburn in the Senior Elimination Final and South Croydon beat Montrose in the Reserves.
Qualifying final wins are obviously very good, but let’s not get carried away. We have massive challenges ahead for both Seniors & Reserves. But we can feel satisfied that we won both games , had only one injury in the Reserves with the unfortunate Jack McEwin , had experience on the big ground and have two chances for each side to make the Grand Final. The Under 19’s unfortunately have a bigger task ahead to get back to a Preliminary Final. But far from impossible.
The Football record had an article about experience in finals which is obviously irrelevant given that playing groups change so much each year and what happened in past years has no bearing on current events. Anyway, the figures produced made no sense and seemed to short change Vermont’s achievements. To put the Record straight, the Seniors have played in 83 EFL First Div. Finals since 1962 winning 53, and since 1980 ( 35 yrs.) played in 66 finals for 44 wins. In the past 35 years the Seniors have missed the finals on just four occasions and the Reserves incredibly just once. This week’s Second Semi will be the Seniors 28th in 35 years.
Last Modified on 04/09/2014 15:33
