Sam Bourke has made a stunning return from injury, kicking five goals to help fire reigning premier St Mary’s into the GFNL grand final following a 20-point win over South Barwon at West Oval.
Sidelined with a back issue, Bourke showed no signs that he hadn’t played since late July, as the Saints’ quest for consecutive flags remained well and truly on track with an 11.11 (77) to 8.9 (57) victory.
“He was unbelievable,” Saints co-coach Luke Rayner said.
To come off an eight-week gap, and for our conditioning and our rehab team to sort of get him right from a strength and endurance point of view… he was fantastic today.
“Really pleased for Sam and proud of the efforts of our staff to be able to get him ready to go.”
St Mary’s led by 12 points at quarter time before extending that advantage to 29 points at halftime.
However, South Barwon weren’t letting the Saints have an easy passage to their third decider in five seasons, getting as close as 10 points during the final quarter.
A goal from Bourke at the 16-minute mark provided St Mary’s with the steadier they required.
“They started that last quarter really well and came at us really hard,” Rayner said.
“And to our boys’ credit, they were able to steady and get the game back, I wouldn’t say on our terms, but they were able to sort of get some ascendancy back and make the most of some forward movements, which resulted in a couple of goals.
“It just gave us that little bit of buffer again, and the boys were able to sort of grind it out from there.”
Talisman Paddy Dowling and the experienced Elijah Wales each kicked two goals, with Charlie Sprague and 2025 grand final best-on-ground Keidan Rayner also impressing.
Luke Rayner was pleased with how third-gamer Tom Myers performed in the ruck against South Barwon star Ben Kellett, labelling it “super competitive”.
“Tommy was really good, in terms of providing us a contest,” Rayner said.
“He’s got such a bright future. It’s going to be a really exciting two, three, four, five years ahead for Tommy, that’s for sure.”
Kellett, along with midfield duo Todd White and Tom Burke, was named among South Barwon’s best.
Captain Matt Caldow, Leigham Elzinga and Lachie Noble each kicked two goals for the Swans, who will face the winner of today’s first semi-final between Newtown & Chilwell and Bell Park in the preliminary final.
X: @krockfootball
St Mary’s 4.2, 9.3, 10.6, 11.11 (77)
South Barwon 2.2, 4.4, 7.6, 8.9 (57)
Goals: St Mary’s – S. Bourke 5, E. Wales 2, P. Dowling 2, B. Ham, L. Peck
South Barwon – L. Elzinga 2, L. Noble 2, M. Caldow 2, T. White, H. Sinnott
Best: St Mary’s – S. Bourke, C. Sprague, K. Rayner, H. McMahon, H. Bourke, J. Garner
South Barwon – T. Burke, T. White, J. Hallam, B. Kellett, L. Page, F. Fort
