Lucknow has won through to the East Gippsland Football Netball League (EGFNL) senior grand final after defeating arch rival Wy Yung, in extra extra time at the Bairnsdale City Oval in the second semi final last Saturday.
The two sides hadn’t met in a second semi final since 1973, where the Tigers also lost on that day and reversed the result in the grand final, which is a distinct possibility in this case given the Magpie injury casualties from the encounter.
The game went to extra time after a rushed behind to Lucknow in the dying seconds tied the match at 52 apiece following several tantalising minutes where both sides threatened to seize the amazing contest.
It was only the second time an EGFNL final has finished in a draw – the other way back in 1982 where Orbost Snowy Rovers beat Lakes Entrance in the grand final replay.
Extra time saw the Magpies kick with the breeze first for the first five-minute period. Their premiership hopes taking a major dent in the opening minutes of the first half when their superstar and league best and fairest winner Link McKenna limped from the ground having strained his hamstring which threatened to go all day.
The smooth-moving left footer certainly wasn’t at his best, spending considerable time forward and it’s doubtful he will be 100 per cent fit by grand final day.
Complicating the picture, perennial club best and fairest winner Joel McNamara is currently out with a leg injury and he too is targeting a grand final day return, meaning some tough decisions will need to be made at Lucknow because taking two players into the match under a cloud would be a gutsy move.
John Gooch (two goals), who had been kick-less for the majority of the initial two quarters before having a significant impact in the second half, goaled in the first stanza of extra time, giving the Magpies a six-point lead at the changeover.
Tiger co-captain Harry Kellow, who had a dirty day by his high standards, almost equalled the scores as the seconds ticked away in the second stanza only for experienced campaigner Andrew Nelson to appear from out of nowhere and take a game-saving mark.
Nate Somerville had a chance to level the scores, but his kick around the corner missed, the Magpies coming from an unlikely position to score an incredible five-point win in one of the greatest EGFNL matches in recent memory.
The Magpies’ winning score (58) was the lowest ever winning score in an EGFNL second semi final.
Lucknow started the final quarter trailing by 21 points. Wy Yung coach Brodie Anderson remindws his defenders at three quarter time to punch at all cost and not to give away any contested marks inside 50.
The Magpies had only lost the one match for the season – to Orbost in round 13 – the Lucknow side of 2025 having played with a huge belief all season and that was evident in the final term with their backs to the wall.
They came out with run and flair in the final term. Nick Mooney missed the lot early before a superb Anderson tackle on Glenn Perkins denied another Magpie opportunity.
Neither side was going to give up victory easy.
Gooch marked and finally slotted his first and when Ash Smith found Ryan Halford and he made no mistake. The margin was back to nine points after six minutes had elapsed.
Smith was outstanding for Lucknow, the wily veteran turning the clock back in a best-on-ground performance.
Playing as a forward in the first half he looked the most likely player to goal for Lucknow before injuries to McKenna and Matt Corbett, who badly tore his hamstring in the first 11 minutes of the contest saw him spend considerable time in the midfield in the second half.
After a lean day last year in the grand final against Boisdale Briagolong some thought his days as a senior football might be numbered but he bounced back with a match-winning performance on the big stage.
Smith found Gooch again after some great ruck work from Dion Grace who was outstanding from start to finish, the Magpies drawing a point closer.
Lucknow drew within two points at the 16-minute mark when Smith found Halford who got it to McKenna who despite being on one leg managed to blind turn and finish in style.
Brad Daniel (four goals) went into ruck to try and nullify Grace as Gooch felt for his hamstring. As time-on began, a rushed Magpie behind narrowed the margin to a solitary point with some more McKenna heroics levelling the score shortly after from an incredible hard ball get.
Brad Daniel booted a behind to put the Tigers back in the box seat only for their party to be ruined by the rushed behind with eight seconds to go.
The match began with the Tigers kicking with the breeze and they peppered the goals. The first six scores of the match were behinds, of which they scored five.
Nathan Dennison, Somerville and Jack Betts were among those to miss before coach Anderson found Brad Daniel who converted stylishly from a tight angle.
Lucknow got its first when McKenna was dumped by Bayden Ashwood who was wearing him like a glove. The resulting downfield saw Halford find Smith who
kicked straight.
Tiger midfield star Jett Murphy was getting the football but got caught several times trying to do too much.
Wy Yung co-captain Jock Overend found Jack Betts who played on, Dennison then spectacularly booting a goal through from mid-air.
Hard nuts Norm Betts and Jack Saulle were impressive at half back at each end while Dennison continued to show his array of skills. Murphy’s poise and class created a late Tiger goal giving them a 17-point buffer at the
first change.
Anderson was happy with the first term praising the efforts of Ashwood and his team’s 14 inside 50 entries to their opponent’s eight.
Lucknow coach Shaun Mooney let his players know it was a team game and that not everyone has to touch the football for a win to be achieved.
Tom Betts gave the Tigers plenty of run off half back early in the second term as Brad Daniel kicked the first of the quarter to extend the margin to 23 points.
A melee erupted when play recommenced. Kellow having to leave the field to tidy up some blood.
Brad Daniel marked twice more inside 50 for Wy Yung as it continually put the Magpies to the sword. He was dirty to miss the second attempt.
Lucknow was getting the ball forward where Halford and Smith looked dangerous but they were getting nothing from Gooch or Jake Richards who had been impressive
all season.
Tim Daniel was playing tight on Gooch and Ridge Peters was giving Richards nothing.
Ashwood was keeping McKenna quiet which wasn’t making Gooch or Richards’ job any easier. McKenna eventually took his opponent forward hoping to expose a height difference.
Against the flow Richards kicked the final two goals of the half giving his side a huge momentum boost as they headed off for half time trailing by just 10 points which didn’t look possible seven
minutes earlier.
The Magpies came out to play early in the third term. McKenna was rewarded for great tackle on Ashwood but James Sanford put the flow-on effect out on the full.
Lucknow did all the attacking in the first six minutes. Smith led the way and was in everything but they were struggling to hit the scoreboard.
Somerville kicked to Jack Betts who marked strongly and the lead was back to 15 points before Luke Elia snapped truly as the Tigers made their play for victory.
Ashwood was running strongly trying to expose McKenna as a Halford snap kept the Magpies close enough to strike.
Great pressure from Brad Daniel and Dennison resulted in a deliberate free kick paid which Brad Daniel converted as McKenna re-entered play with his hamstring heavily strapped.
Both sides missed opportunities late in the third term which may come back and haunt them later.
Saulle (ankle and head) and Bayley Croucher spent time with the trainers at the final change. The intensity of match was taking its toll.
Among the best for the Magpies were Smith, Grace, Halford, Glen Perkins, Saulle and Sanford, while the Tigers were well served by Somerville, Norman Betts, Bradley Daniel, Peters, Tim Daniel and
Tom Betts.
Lucknow will certainly benefit from the week’s break with a multiple sore bodies after the match, while the Tigers will have to butter up quickly to take on the Orbost Snowy Rovers who caused the upset of the season eliminating reigning premier Boisdale Briagolong.
