NEWTOWN & Chilwell has advanced to its first preliminary final since 2005 with a dominating 19.15 (129) to 11.9 (75) win over Bell Park and looks every chance to end a 29-year premiership drought.
However, Eagles coach and former Geelong star David Wojcinski refused to look beyond Colac at Simonds Stadium next Saturday.
“We are playing on a lot of confidence at the moment and should continue to do so against Colac, who, I dare say, are the reigning premiers, finished third on the ladder and they are a quality opposition,” Wojcinski said.
Sandy Robinson marks for the Eagles. Picture: Glenn Ferguson Source: News Corp Australia
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“I know they didn’t have their best day against St Joseph’s, but that will probably make them more dangerous and want to bounce back and show that they are a proud club.
“I think St Joseph’s had contributors around the ground without any standouts, so you have to look at them and look at us, the last two weeks the wins are from genuine team efforts.”
Former Collingwood big man David Fanning exposed the absence of premiership ruckman Zane Vail from Bell Park’s line-up through his imposing taps, smothers, tackles and goal assists.
“Our midfielders are fantastic and we were able to capitalise going forward as well, thanks to our pressure, getting reward for effort,” Wojcinski said.
“Our defenders probably got off to a bit of a slow start but they worked their way into the game, so on the whole it was a really pleasing day.”
Newtown jumped out of the blocks with six goals to two in the first term before the Dragons worked back into the game in the second term. But after the main break the Eagles took over, with former VFL names Luke Forbes, Jai Sheahan, as well as Jordan Crerar and Braden Hocking giving them multiple options in attack.
Tim House is in fine form. Source: News Corp Australia
Tim House also impressed, taking a handful of contested marks to continue his hot run of form.
“He (House) had a slow start to the year, he was still finding his feet at the club — yet in the second half of the year we found a really good spot for him down forward and he’s been playing his spot really well,” Wojcinski said.
He has not ruled out the return of former captain Jay Bett for next week’s clash. Bett has missed most of the season due to concussion issues.
“Maybe he’s a chance and that
will be a good story for Jay,” Wojcinski said
Last Modified on 15/09/2015 04:21