PRELIMINARY FINAL REVIEW
Highett and Keysborough gave spectators a thrilling preliminary final with the Burra fighting until the very end, but ultimately fell short with the Dogs to face Doveton Eagles for premiership glory.
Highett 14.15 (99) def Keysborough 14.4 (88)
Highett outlasted a fast finishing Keysborough side in a fantastic preliminary final contest, with a late Ed Turner goal sealing a grand final berth for the Dogs.
After an eight-goal opening term gave Highett a 39-point quarter time lead, Keysborough was able to cut it down to 20 by the final change, and got to within four points in a furious finish.
Turner was able to bob up when his team needed him the most, kicking his fourth goal for the afternoon with just over four minutes in the game to seal the win.
Turner was among Highett’s best in the win, with Sam Jackson starring in a best on ground performance alongside Jordan Thompson and Nathan Scott.
Highett burst out of the blocks in the opening term, with Turner booting two of the first four goals of the game as Keysborough failed to score.
While the Burra managed two goals through Matthew Carnelley and Tamas Siposs, the Dogs responded with another four unanswered goals to lead by 39 points at the first change.
Keysborough responded after quarter time with Cory Hargreaves kicking two of the team’s three goals as they were able to trim the margin to 29 points at the main break.
Burra spearhead Chris Bryan kept momentum going Keysborough’s way in the third, booting three of his six second half goals as Keysie outscored Highett four straight goals to 2.3 as only 20 points stood between the two sides at the final change.
Bryan and Turner exchanged goals early in the last, before two in a row for Keysborough dropped the margin to nine points.
Highett responded with a goal to Scott, but the Burra again charged forward with Bryan kicking two in a row to cut the lead to four points.
With Keysborough attacking at every chance, Turner was able to stand up at an opportunistic time and bury the Burra with his fourth goal of the game, sealing an 11-point win with minutes to spare.
Bryan was outstanding with six second half goals, named best afield for the Burra, while Riet Pal and Michael Downie were also impressive.
@JBarbin10
