Finals fever was in the air for the Limestone Coast Women’s Football League, with all matches played at Penola’s McCorquindale Park.
First up was the elimination final group B between South Gambier and Millicent, with both sides missing players due to unavailability or illness, proving a challenge for coaches.
South started well with intensity at the ball which created turnovers from Millicent, with the Demons running the ball forward to kick two early goals.
However a late surge from the Saints forced the Demons to step up their work rate to get clear possession.
South was clearly on target and it resulted in a 12-point lead at the first change.
In the second term Millicent came out with a different attitude and started to get to the ball first, however the strong defensive line of the Demons stood tall and repelled the ball back to their runners.
The Saints looked a much better side in the term, although unable to get a score on the boardm while South lifted to go to the main break with a 28-point lead.
South came out firing in the third and stamped their authority on the game, with some brilliant patches of play, forcing the Saints’ defence to work overtime.
The Demons knuckled down to dominate the play and held a 44-point lead at the last change.
It was a tight game in the last quarter with plenty of contested ball, however Millicent lifted the intensity and started to move the ball move freely.
But the Demons had other plans and seemingly found another gear, kicking three goals and running out winners by 68 points to move into the preliminary final.
Kybybolite and Kongorong played the group B qualifying final, with both teams looking to advance straight through to the grand final.
The Tigers started the game with a clear run at the ball in the middle in the opening minutes, launching into attack and scoring the first goal.
From there they looked to be in control, showing the Hawks a clean set of heels.
Kongorong seemed flat footed and a few skill errors resulted in turnovers, allowing Kybybolite clear possession.
The Tigers went into the first break up by 14 points, with the Hawks scoreless.
The Hawks came out with a different approach and started to play some good football, leading in front and putting their head over the ball, but Kyby was equal to the task and played them at their own game.
The Hawks were rattled by the Tigers’ determination which allowed them to gain possession multiple times, leaving Kongorong chasing.
Kyby registered two goals for the term, again keeping the Hawks scoreless, with the Tigers up by 28 points at the break.
It was a very scrappy opening in the third term with a lot of contested packs and with seven minutes of play left the Hawks managed to score two goals while holding the Tigers to just one.
Kyby was left a little rattled but still had a 22-point lead at the final break.
The Hawks stepped up the intensity from the opening whistle, kicking truly early.
But Kyby countered with some classy play and moved the ball into attack freely.
Kongorong lifted again but were unable to catch the Tigers, who were determined to book a grand final spot and get the week off.
Kyby ran out winners by 31 points.
North Gambier took on Penola in the group A elimination final.
It was a tight contest from the opening bounce as both teams tried to gain the upper hand.
North kicked the first goal and it looked like they would run away with it, but Penola had other ideas.
It was a low scoring first term as both teams tried to find a clear path, with the Tigers taking a six-point lead to the break.
Penola applied pressure in the second quarter, resulting in turnovers, stopping the Tigers’ free flowing game.
North gained the upper hand late in the term to kick two goals to Penola’s one and went to the main break with an 11- point lead in a tight contest.
North came out a completely different side in the opening minutes of the third term to outclass the Eagles with run and carry across the ground.
Penola looked to be a little flat footed but continued to give it their all while the Tigers kicked two goals and it could have been different if the Eagles had kicked accurately, insteading only managing two behinds.
North was on the money and went
to the last change 21 points clear of Penola.
Both sides only managed to kick one goal in the term thanks to the tight pressure applied.
North Gambier took the win by 22 points.
The last game to round out week one of finals was the group A qualifier between Casterton Sandford and Mundulla.
Mundulla had all the play in the opening minutes, denying the Cats any chance of gaining possession.
It was a polished Tigers outfit that came to play and seemingly had the Cats’ measure.
Casterton Sandford had plenty of opportunities to capitalise on turnovers from Mundulla but were unable to make the most of them.
Mundulla showed their class to kick three goals and keep the Cats scoreless, going to the first change up by 20 points.
The Tigers found the going tough in the second term as Casterton Sandford upped the ante through some great ball use which had Mundulla on the back foot a little.
The Cats had plenty of the ball, but the tight defence of the Tigers repelled many efforts from Casterton Sandford.
Mundulla only managed to kick one goal for the term while the Cats scored a behind, going to the break 27 points down..
Both teams started slowly in the third and looked to have tired legs, however Mundulla perked up mid way through the quarter and started to attack the goal line.
The Cats stood strong in defence, but the Tigers had other ideas and scored a goal to extend their lead at the final change to 35 points.
Mundulla forced Casterton Sandford to chase hard in the final quarter and it proved to be the winning formula for the Tigers as they went on to win the game by 42 points.
