LAURIMAR is through to a grand final, but South Morang will need a second chance in what was mixed results for the City of Whittlesea’s remaining teams in the Northern Football Netball League finals.
The Power had a dominant performance from start to finish at Lalor Reserve on Saturday in the division 3 preliminary final, booking a rematch with Ivanhoe courtesy of a 56-point triumph over Watsonia.
In what was a day to remember for the Power, both seniors and reserves ended up winning by the exact same margin.
The seniors utilised an eight-goal to three start to lock in a 31-point lead at the first change, 50-19, but Watsonia fought hard to kick three goals to two in the second term to close the gap slightly to 26 points at the main break, 65-39.
The Power settled back into a rhythm in the third term, kicking seven goals to three to re-establish a big break, 108-52, before both teams kicked four goals each in the last term, with the Power winning 21.8 (134) to 12.6 (78).
In many ways, it was an old-fashioned shootout, with key forwards Patrick Fitzgerald and Cameron Cloke kicking eight goals apiece for their respective teams.
However, it was the work of Bailey Macleod and Joel Lawson that really caught the eye of coach Jimmy Atkins, while Stephen McCallum, Luke Wilson and Ethan Bateman also performed well.
Both seniors and reserves now move to clashes against Ivanhoe to decide the division 3 premiers. Laurimar will look to avenge last year’s loss in the decider against Fitzroy Stars.
South Morang will need to think about using its second chance after almost mowing down a 39-point deficit to St Mary’s at Eltham in the division 2 second semi-final.
The Lions were very slow off the blocks, with the Burra kicking five of the first six goals of the game to lead 33-9 at the first change.
Having added three of the next four goals, the Burra led by 39 points midway through the second term.
Remarkably, this would be the end of the major scoring for St Mary’s as South Morang slowly but surely found a way back.
Trailing 56-23 at the main break, the Lions roared back into contention thanks to three goals in three minutes to reduce the margin to 19 points at the final change, 43-62.
The Lions looked winners five minutes into the last term after adding two quick goals, before a struggle saw both teams combine for eight behinds in succession.
A late goal saw the Lions close to within three points, but a late chance went begging, and the Lions fell 9.11 (65) to 8.19 (67).
Ben Power and Kobe Van Zwienen were the main men for the Lions, as were Chris Petroro, Nathan Stefanile, Jesse John Christidis and Tyson Gresham.
The Lions will get another crack at the Burra if they can beat Old Paradians on Saturday, who took care of Northcote Park in the first semi-final.
