Lindenow South is through to the grand final of the Female Football Gippsland senior competition after a dramatic one-point victory over arch rival Boisdale Briagolong at the Morwell Recreation Reserve.
In a nail-biting finale Swampies skipper Brodi Harris slotted her third goal of the day and most important of the season with less than 90 seconds to play to seize victory after receiving a free kick.
Defending champion Boisdale Briagolong will have to defeat 2022 premier, Moe Newborough, this Sunday at the Morwell to make the grand final at Gaskin Park in Churchill on August 18.
After finishing on top of the ladder Lindenow South headed to Morwell low on personnel due to injury and illness, with victories between the two sides shared two-one in the advantage of the Swampies in the home and away rounds.
In a spirited opening the Swampies kicked two goals to one to establish a seven-point lead at the first change.
Harris was already looking dangerous up forward, as was Bomber star, Emily Porter, who played a lone hand up forward for her side, finishing with four of their five goals.
Swampies playmaker Gabrielle Foster was up and about early, forcing the ball forward, combining well with the classy Siarra Peters.
The second quarter belonged to the Bombers as the Swampies struggled to find avenues to goal, Boisdale Briagolong opening up a handy eight-point half time advantage.
Porter finished off the handy work of the midfield driven by Laura Jonston, who was relentless.
The third quarter was a more even tussle but it was the Bombers who were able to assert more scoreboard pressure, stretching the lead to 11 points, and it could quite easily have been a goal or two more, but the Swampies’ defence led by Jasmaie Saunders-Baxter and Jamieson Elliott held up well under pressure.
The final term was a ripper, a great exhibition, as two skilled and determined outfits went head-to-head, with a spot in the big dance up for grabs.
The Bombers kicked the first goal of the last quarter, establishing what looked like a match-winning 17-point lead in a low-scoring match, but the Swampies refused to concede.
Tayah McNaughton slotted a nice goal to bring the margin to 11 before Brodi Harris kicked her final two of the day, propelling her side into the 2024 decider.
Best players for the Swampies were Foster, Peters, Harris, McNaughton and Josie Elliott, while the Bombers were well served by Jacqueline Edwards, Madi Shingles, Jonston, Jacinta Mason, Mia Allen and Amanda Hancock.
