Colac has snapped a run of four successive finals defeats to book a berth in the GFNL second semi-final with a comprehensive 49-point win over Newtown & Chilwell in today’s qualifying final at West Oval.
The Tigers, whose last finals win came in the second semi-final in 2019, will take on minor premier St Joseph’s for the first spot in this year’s decider.
Kicking with the aid of a northeasterly breeze in the first quarter after captain Jack Melican won the coin toss, Colac opened up a 20-point lead that laid the foundation for a 13.14 (92) to 6.7 (43) victory.
Like Jeremy Cameron in the first quarter of Geelong’s AFL qualifying final win over the Brisbane Lions, Tigers’ spearhead Adam Garner, who escaped a tripping charge with a reprimand during the week, was in beast mode to start the contest.
He kicked 3.3 in the opening term before being well held for the remainder of the contest.
In just his second match back from a lengthy injury layoff, Alvie recruit Micah Robb kicked three goals, while former co-coach and ex-Geelong and Carlton forward Darcy Lang provided plenty of clash and finished with two majors.
“It’s the first final I’ve won since I’ve been at the club, so that’s a nice feeling,” Lang told K rock Football.
“Great performance by the boys in the group; we were able to execute what we wanted to today.
“And it’s a good feeling winning finals rather than losing them.”
The Towners’ score, in which they were held to just three goals until three-quarter time, was their lowest of the season.
They will aim to avoid becoming the third qualifying final loser in as many years to exit the finals race in straight sets when they face the winner of tomorrow’s St Mary’s-Bell Park elimination final in the first semi-final.
NEWTOWN & CHILWELL 1.0, 3.3, 3.3, 6.7 (43)
COLAC 3.8, 5.8, 9.12, 13.14 (92)
GOALS: Newtown & Chilwell: M. Dodos, A. Harkness, C. Harris, J. Coburn, L. Nash, G. Bove
GOALS: Colac: A. Garner 3, M. Robb 3, D. Lang 2, J. Garner, J. McCormack, K. Spokes, J. Simpkin, K. Smartt
BEST: Newtown & Chilwell: J. Modola, B. McGlade, N. Harris, B. Hocking, M. Diamond, L. Nash
BEST: Colac: D. Lang, J. Melican, Z. Zdybel, R. Monaghan, J. Walters, S. Ross
BFNL
Anglesea has qualified for its second Bellarine grand final in as many years, overcoming 2024 conqueror Torquay by 39 points at Grinter Reserve.
The Roos, who hadn’t played in a decider in 24 years until last year’s match-up with their archrivals, outlasted the Tigers to claim a 16.10 (106) to 10.7 (67) result.
Co-captain Jack Walters was simply stunning, kicking four goals, with spearhead Ayden Gras and St Mary’s recruit Harry Ling contributing three apiece.
Anglesea will face Geelong Amateur in a grand final match-up never previously seen in the 30 years the Pegs have been in the competition.
“The nicest part was just to see the happiness within our community,” playing coach Jordan Keras said.
“We got a lot of supporters down there today. We could really hear them roaring.
“To see them really happy, and to see the smile on our boys’ faces, I think it’s just enjoy it for the week that it is.
“There’s nothing better than playing on the big day. Win or lose, there’s honestly nothing better, and I’m so glad they get to experience it again.”
Lucas Anderson and Jesse Dawson kicked three goals apiece for Torquay, who will watch on on grand final day for the first time since 2018.
TORQUAY 5.2, 7.3, 9.5, 10.7 (67)
ANGLESEA 2.2, 7.4, 11.8, 16.10 (106)
GOALS: Torquay: L. Anderson 3, J. Dawson 3, T. Smith 2, B. Dyer, C. Heard
GOALS: Anglesea: J. Walters 4, A. Gras 3, H. Ling 3, L. Smith 2, J. Keras 2, D. Kerr, D. Everett
BEST: Torquay: B. McNamara, O. Tate, W. Doyle, T. Smith, A. Hanley, M. Boag
BEST: Anglesea: H. Ling, I. Hardman, J. Walters, D. Kerr, J. Gray, C. Hutchinson
GDFNL
North Geelong has booked a berth in the GDFNL grand final for the first time since 2015 after continuing East Geelong’s finals woes with an 18-point second semi-final win at St Albans Reserve.
The Magpies kicked four goals to one in the final quarter to register a 10.7 (67) to 7.7 (49) result.
“Because we’ve got so many young players, I just feel like a really proud dad, and I’m super happy for the boys.
“Two years ago, who would have thought that we’re going to play off in the grand final?”
John Fazio finished with three goals for North, with Tom Davis and Cooper Pasque each kicking two.
Midfielder Tom Schwennesen again impressed with his ball-winning ability.
A corkie suffered by Luke Parker, the only remaining member of the Magpies’ last premiership in 2013, took some of the gloss of the win.
Captain John McIntyre and key forward Andrew Steele both kicked two goals for the Eagles, who will now face the winner of tomorrow’s first semi-final between the Belmont Lions and Bell Post Hill.
EAST GEELONG 2.2, 5.3, 6.6, 7.7 (49)
NORTH GEELONG 3.2, 4.4, 6.6, 10.7 (67)
GOALS: East Geelong: A. Steele 2, J. McIntyre 2, J. Beardsell, J. Ollis, C. Ezard
GOALS: North Geelong: J. Fazio 3, T. Davis 2, C. Pasque 2, T. Tseros, C. Vaughan, O. Riccardi
BEST: East Geelong: J. Fanning, J. McIntyre, S. Lowe, A. Steele, P. Visentin, J. Beardsell
BEST: North Geelong: T. Schwennesen, J. George, M. Habib, P. Cleary, C. Farrell, N. Bily
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