A GRADE – Hatherleigh 17.8 defeated Robe 8.10
Minor premiers Hatherleigh have taken the direct route to the MSEFL grand final at Kongorong on September 21 following an impressive 50-point win over Robe in the second semi final at Hatherleigh on Saturday.
The Eagles ticked just about every box to record their 16th win of 2024 but they must overcome the mental hurdle of losing their past three grand finals in 2017, 2022 and last season.
Overall, their strike rate in season deciders since their first in 1949 is well below 50% but they looked very much the premiership team on their home ground on the weekend.
On the other hand, the Roosters now have to face up to a revived Kalangadoo in the cut-throat preliminary final on the Kalangadoo Oval on Saturday.
The Eagles had come into the match as slight favourites on account of their minor premiership, home ground advantage and their two wins over the Roosters during the minor round.
Another bonus, of sorts, for the ladder leaders was the absence due to a calf injury of inspirational opposition coach Nathan Brown.
Club insiders expect Brown will line up in the no-second-chance match against the Magpies.
It was quite a day for the home club as they competed in three of the four football grades before a near-record crowd which paid $13,302 at the gate.
There was a feast of football and netball in the Lower South East on Saturday with the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara finals being played at Lucindale and the Limestone Coast Football League finals at Millicent.
HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED
By the time of the start of the A Grade at 2.15pm, the Hatherleigh Oval was bathed in sunshine.
Visiting skipper Henry Lawrie won the toss and elected to kick to the southern end which was favoured by a three-goal breeze.
The physical nature of the game was set in the opening term when hard bumps and strong tackles were to the fore.
It was Hatherleigh who posted the first goal at the four-minute mark after resting ruckman Darcy Bateman was the beneficiary of a free kick.
A Robe defender scooped the ball to rush a behind but it was penalised as a throw and Bateman converted from point-blank range.
The Roosters eventually clicked into gear and were 20 points clear at the first change.
As expected, Hatherleigh responded well and cut the deficit to eight points at the long break.
Hatherleigh players hit their straps in the third term as they got in front for the first time since Bateman kicked the opening goal of the game.
They were able to score into the breeze and were well placed with an 18-point break at the last change.
Robe’s Jed Jarrett had been yellow-carded mid-term for rough play and this unbalanced the seasiders.
Hatherleigh was able to score four unanswered goals and jump to a match-winning lead.
It took only five minutes in the final term to have the result of the match stitched up as Hatherleigh went on a wind-assisted scoring rampage.
The playing surface was on the heavy side and the wind was variable.
Hatherleigh onballer Mikey Telford mastered the conditions to get the best on ground ranking.
It was a tough day for forwards but Hatherleigh’s Louis Brown and Robe’s Hamish Smith managed four goals apiece.
Umpires Brett Watson, Chris Brooks and Matt Cockrum could be well pleased with their efforts.
THE WASH UP
Bookmakers had been laying short odds before the start of this season of the chances of the Eagles meeting the Roosters in the second semi final.
Reigning premiers Kalangadoo were supposed to slip well down the ladder as they had lost numerous players to retirement, transfers and injury.
On the other hand, Robe and Hatherleigh had enjoyed much success during 2023 and had bolstered their respective lists over summer.
The second half fade out must worry Robe supporters as their team prepares for that showdown with Kalangadoo who are anything but “Great Pretenders.”
B GRADE – Robe 11.8 defeated Hatherleigh 5.2
You might have thought unbeaten minor premiers Robe would have entered the second semi final as the warmest of favourites – but not so.
The Roosters faced a team which had won four of the past five B Grade flags and had the home ground advantage.
Both teams posted two goals in a dour first half and then the seasiders broke the shackles.
The left boot of ex-A Grade skipper Jaryd Dawson then proved deadly as he threaded through seven goals and Robe cruised to a 42-point win.
Reigning premiers Kalangadoo will be playing at home on Saturday against the Eagles for the right to reach the season decider.
SENIOR COLTS – Glencoe 7.3 defeated Mount Burr 4.8
The only game where the minor premiers did not win their way through to the grand final was in the Senior Colts where the Murphies triumphed over the Mozzies.
It was goal for goal for much of the first half and then Glencoe went ahead in the third term.
The result was surprising as it was a reversal of the outcome of the last minor round game a fortnight earlier when Mount Burr travelled to Glencoe and won by 37 points.
Meanwhile, Mount Burr received the saddest of news on the eve of the match against Glencoe as club patriarch Noel Seebohm had died on Friday at the age of 93.
JUNIOR COLTS – Hatherleigh 8.6 defeated Port MacDonnell 3.0
Hatherleigh Junior Colts became the first team to book a place to the grand final with a 36-point win over Port MacDonnell.
The Eagles had first use of the strong breeze and went to a 26-point lead at quarter time after keeping the Demons scoreless.
The home team never looked threatened thereafter and the victory was a credit to first-year coach Dr Sean McGrath and his team.
Port MacDonnell had come into the major round with three teams and the only hope of silverware now rests with their Junior Colts.
