St Kilda City 15.11-101 defeated Cheltenham 8.10-58
A grand final appearance wasn’t meant to be for a dogged Cheltenham, who went down by 43 points at the hands of a dominant St Kilda City.
The Rosellas held the lead at the first break by three points, and only four points separated the teams as City led at the main break (30-26).
The third term saw City beginning to break away from their opponents, booting 6.0 to Cheltenham’s 3.2 and leading by 20 points (66-46) at three quarter time. With Ubil Chol and Jordan Coughlan-Stevenson starring for City, a comeback would prove challenging for the Rosellas.
Despite best efforts from Totti Kilner and Nathan Karpathakis, Cheltenham unfortunately could not pick up the pieces to top off a successful year in an uphill battle created by City, who preceded to kick five goals to one in the final term.
Three goals each from Jack O’Shea and Ayang Nyanjok, and two from Darren McGorm, Matthew McNaughton, Jackson Vargas and Ubil Chol reflected a team effort from City, earning their side a chance to defend their 2016 premiership this week.
PRELIMINARY FINAL 2
Oakleigh District 10.12-72 defeated Hallam 9.3-57
Fifth-finishers Oakleigh District earned their ticket to the Grand Final this week, cutting Hallam’s finals series short by 20 points.
The Hawks were the early aggressors, shooting out of the blocks to build a seven-point lead by half time in an entertain contest, before Oakleigh mounted a spirited comeback with three goals to two in the third term.
Only one point divided the teams going into the final term, with Oakleigh District holding a marginal advantage (46-45). Led by the impressive Nathan Peddle and Anthony Casset, a determined Oakleigh returned after three quarter time and asserting their hunger for a premiership, kicking 4.2 to 2.0 in the final term and effectively taking the win.
Lachlan Signal and Alex Mackenzie were standouts for Hallam who despite the final result, can be congratulated on a successful year.
Liam McCabe was again a highlight in the forward line for the winners with four goals, alongside Nathan Peddle who kicked three.
Shane Woolley was instrumental for Hallam also with three goals to his name.
