By NICK GALEA - Under-19 Division 2
DEFENDING premiers Newport Power will progress to the Under-19 Division 2 Grand Final after comfortably accounting for Albion at Dempster Park on Saturday.
In a heavily contested opening term, it took 15 minutes for the first goal to be kicked which came from Albion's Nic Millar.
Despite Albion dominating the quarter they only had two goals to show for it and should've been further ahead which would ultimately prove costly.
Newport stormed back into the game as Jehad Haddara found space and Youssef El Hawli kicked three majors in the second quarter to help them turn a 14-point deficit into a 15-point lead heading into half-time.
James Leach narrowed the margin with his second, but Newport's defence was at its resilient best as they withstood all that Albion threw at them to hold a 10-point advantage at three-quarter-time.
Albion's resistance was finally broken after Khaled Hawli kicked a spectacular goal on the run early in the last quarter with Newport running to slot five of the next six majors to record a 43-point win.
Youssef El Hawli kicked six goals whilst Waled Abdou and Abdul Abdo were rocks down back.
Albion's best was Tyler Parkinson who got better as the game went on and Cooper Muir put in a strong four quarter effort.
Werribee Districts have ended Sanctuary Lakes season ina tough bruising contest in what was pure finals footy.
Both sides struggled scoring early on, but the game opened up in the second quarter as both teams went goal for goal, kicking three apiece and playing at a high standard as neither side gave an inch.
It was only one point at half-time and nine points at three-quarter-time.
Despite the best efforts of the Sharks, Werribee were cleaner when they had possession and got on top midway through the third quarter to kick the last four goals of the game to send them through to the second week of the finals.
Werribee's best were Alex Mackinnon (two goals), Ryan Larsen and Matthew Currao as they caused headaches all over the ground with their strong marking.
For the Sharks, Adam Elbob, Brendan Chiem and Luke Coleiro were as reliable as ever.
Albion will face Werribee Districts for a place in the Under-19 Division 2 Grand Final at Dempster Park in what promises to be a close encounter.
Last Modified on 22/08/2016 11:52