Queenscliff coach Heath Jamieson has labelled the club’s first finals win in a decade “a bit of a relief” after it booked a spot in the Bellarine grand final with a 40-point win over Geelong Amateur at Grinter Reserve.
The Coutas kicked 13 goals to five after quarter time to post a 14.14 (98) to 7.16 (58) victory over last year’s runner-up to set up a meeting with second semi-final conquerors Torquay next Saturday.
Next week’s grand final appearance will be Queenscliff’s first since completing a hat-trick of flags in 2013 and will see the Coutas and the Tigers face off for the third time in a decider after previous meetings in 1971 and 2012.
“We haven’t been great in finals, so you do worry going into the game that you’re not going to get the best version of yourself,” Jamieson told K rock Football.
“I like to address those things, so that was a big part of my pre-match – ‘don’t run away from that. That’s our finals record, and there’s only 22 players that can help change things.
“So, yeah, a little bit of relief but a little bit of excitement, too
“(It) wasn’t just winning today, but it’s probably how we won a bit in the end.
“I think it was a lot of our footy. Our pressure was high all day, (and) didn’t really slip.
“Our work rate… our key forwards worked their backsides off, and our defence was able to set up behind the ball.
“So, it was probably relief first, but then we’ll reflect on the game. It was probably a pretty good way to play as well.”
Geelong Amateur kicked the first two goals of the match through Geelong VFL-listed key forward Charley Green before young gun Sol Bowtell got the Coutas on the board to cut the margin to seven points at quarter time.
Queenscliff kicked the only three goals of the second term, claiming the lead when Kai Keenan goaled at the 16-minute mark.
A late goal from experienced Couta Che Durran gave his team an eight-point buffer at the main break.
In just his second senior match of the season, and first since Round 1, club great Jake Hedley kicked the first of his three goals for the afternoon early in the third term to push the margin into double figures.
A Green goal ended a run of 13 consecutive Ammos’ behinds during time-on, but his side faced a three-quarter time deficit of 24 points.
Green gave rise to hope of a Pegs’ comeback when he kicked his fourth goal of the afternoon inside the opening minute of the final quarter, reducing the margin to 18 points.
However, the Coutas produced a withering five-goal burst in 10 minutes to effectively end the match as a contest.
Jamieson says Queenscliff’s coaching staff considered several options before settling on Hedley as the replacement for the injured Jayden McHenry.
“We threw up a lot of things,” Jamieson said.
“One thing I was probably confident with: ‘Hedders’, he’s never let me down ever before… he’s a warrior.
“But the thing about Jake is he’s actually probably trained a lot more this year than what he has before,
“He hasn’t been sitting on his hands and being that old reserves footballer that just turns up Saturday and kicks goals; he’s actually been training Tuesday (and) Thursday.
“He probably doesn’t get through both nights consistently but he’s done a lot more training this year.”
Hedley’s three goals were matched by youngster Jordy Monahan, taking his season tally to 66, while Bowtell, Durran and Annandale each kicked two.
Jaydo Wright was a standout on the wing, while Keenan, who provided support to Joe Cincotta in the ruck, defender Billy Jones and midfielder Sam Kalbfell also impressed.
Jordy McIvor-Clark (hamstring) failed to see out the match, but Jamieson says he hasn’t been ruled out of the grand final.
“We’re lucky enough to have Geoff Allen, ex-doctor at the (Geelong) Cats, with us throughout the final series,” Jamieson said.
“He just grabbed me then and said, ‘Look, it doesn’t look that bad’.
“Jordy’s had a lot of hamstring injuries though, so it would be a big risk for me.
“But luckily we’re playing two games next week.
“It might be a big risk to play him at 2 o’clock; it mightn’t be as big a risk to play him at 12 o’clock.
“So, he still might have some footy left in him. We’ll see how he pulls up.”
Jamieson will also have to consider lively forward Izaac Grant, who was a late withdrawal on Friday with a groin issue.
Green did all he could to keep Geelong Amateur in the contest by kicking five goals.
However, co-coach Sam Lloyd’s radar in front of goal was askew, finishing with five behinds as he went goalless for just the second time in a season in which he kicked 105 majors.
“I said at halftime, ‘I don’t mind being beat by system, but I’d be so dirty on myself if we get beat by the scoreboard in terms of leaving opportunity out there’,” Geelong Amateur co-coach Riley Kershaw, who confirmed he was stepping down from the role, said.
“Not to say that the Coutas didn’t deserve it towards the second half.
“But, jeez, we crucified ourselves in the first half, and unfortunately we paid the penalty of not giving ourselves a look in the second half.”
Queenscliff 1.4, 4.7, 7.13, 14.14 (98)
Geelong Amateur 2.5, 2.11, 3.14, 7.16 (58)
Goals: Queenscliff – J. Monahan 3, J. Hedley 3, M. Annandale 2, S. Bowtell 2, C. Durran 2, K. Keenan, M. Waight
Geelong Amateur – C. Green 5, M. Day, F. Seignor
Best: Queenscliff – K. Keenan, J. Cincotta, B. Jones, S. Kalbfell, N. Rippon, T. Thompson
Geelong Amateur – TBC
