Stratford has caused a remarkable East Gippsland football semi final boil over to claim its spot in the grand final.
The Swans secured a hard-fought and thrilling one-point win over minor premier, Wy Yung, on a heavy track at Lucknow on Saturday, and will face the winner of this weekend’s prelim between the Tigers and Lindenow, the Cats earning their place in the prelim following an equally hard-fought two-point semi final win against Lucknow on Sunday.
The Swans fought back from a 42-point deficit on the stroke of quarter time, after a brilliant second term led by one point at half time and absorbed pressure throughout the second half before Tim Hawkins booted the game-winning behind following a 50m penalty on centre wing two minutes prior to the final siren.
Hawkins’ set shot barely scraped in for a score, but was enough to hand the Swans their grand final berth.
Tiger Harry Kellow booted the first goal of the match thanks to a holding the ball free, only for Stratford spearhead, Haydn Erfurth, to kick the first of his best afield six goals soon after.
IMAGE: Stratford’s Tim Hawkins kicked the goal to give the Swans their first lead at the 20-minute mark of the second quarter after trailing Wy Yung by 42 points closing in at quarter time. He then kicked the behind which handed his side a one-point victory and grand final berth. K306-137
