Boisdale Briagolong has earned a shot at East Gippsland Football Netball League grand final redemption, narrowly scrambling home over a gallant Wy Yung last Saturday at the Lindenow Oval in the preliminary final.
Less than 10 points separated the sides all
afternoon, in the end it was heroics from inspirational Bomber skipper Jim Reeves who booted six of his side’s eight goals, that saw Boisdale Briagolong progress.
His haul included four in the final term.
The atrocious winds that are currently pestering the region made play difficult and certainly deterred the quality of the contest but not the intensity of the players or their will to win.
Remarkably Wy Yung began the final quarter with a six-point advantage after the Bombers had butchered numerous attempts on goal, in the first quarter particularly.
The game was all tied up after just 90 seconds in the final term when Reeves slipped Nate Somerville to kick his third for the match.
The wind was blustery and temperamental and goals were more likely to be scored at the town end, which the Bombers were going home with in the final term.
Wy Yung co-captain Harry Kellow put his side back in front when he was rewarded for a sensational tackle on Cal Egan, Kellow slotting his second from close range.
Egan came to the bench shortly after with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
Brodie Anderson missed a set shot at goal shortly after which he would usually convert as the pressure mounted on both sides.
An exquisite one handed pick up by Thomas Bradshaw at full tilt had the Bomber faithful up and about, as he found Reeves, who did the rest.
Bradshaw was an influential player in the back half for the Bombers in the first half, praised by Boisdale coach Sam Bedggood post game for his best performance of the season.
Egan was quickly back in the fray and appeared unlucky not to be awarded a mark across half back that was gleefully claimed by Bayden Ashwood, whose behind doubled the Tiger lead.
Big Tiger Mitchell Dewar was beginning to play an important role across half back as the Bombers tried to work the ball forward, combining well on several occasions with Jobe Somerville.
As a result of Dewar’s good work, Kellow kicked his third from practically inside the social rooms, the miracle finishing extending the lead to eight points.
After a rushed behind to the Bombers, Reeves was again in the thick of the action, marking and playing on, somehow avoiding three tacklers to thread the ball through and narrow the margin to just a point as the clock ticked over 18 minutes.
Both sides were throwing themselves in trying to get a clearance, Kel Porter, Tim Dessent and Bradshaw at the coalface for the Bombers and Jock Overend, Ashwood and Nathan Dennison for the Tigers.
Both sides had their opportunities in a tense final 10 minutes, the Tigers lead out to two points after a rushed behind before Reeves took mark of the day sandwiched between the Somerville brothers and when Jobe conceded a 50 metre penalty he was on the line and the Bombers were back in front.
Kellow had an opportunity at the 24-minute mark, but he missed the lot as the Bombers defended stoutly led by Andrew Quirk, who marked strongly on several occasions, or hit the Sherrin with an iron fist.
A Will Brunt mark at the 26-minute mark drew comparisons to Leo Barry’s mark in an AFL premiership as the Bombers tried to hang on, both sides giving their all for the chance to play Lucknow for ultimate glory.
The ball was on centre wing when the final siren sounded, a nasty melee erupting after Bomber hardman Daniel Johnson copped a high tackle from Overend.
Daniel Johnson left with a bloodied nose after Ashwood had his number taken by the emergency umpire.
Order was quickly restored, players too exhausted to continue with the shenanigans after giving their all over four torrid quarters.
Earlier in the match the sides lined up close to predicted, with Matt Wilkinson, Porter, Daniel Johnson and Jackson Glenane opposed to Daniel, Dennison, Norm Betts and Josh Broome.
Toby Leeds was an interesting inclusion for the Bombers, although his contribution was minimal he looms as a key player against Lucknow operating in the ruck in tandem with Wilkinson against Jake Richards and Deon Grace.
Boisdale Briagolong dominated the match early with Wilkinson pivotal gaining 10 possessions in the first term.
Tom Jolly, Dessent and Porter all missed gettable chances before the Tigers went inside 50, their first entry resulting in a goal to Ashwood.
Paddy Mack, Wilkinson and Jolly all missed as the Tigers struggled to get the ball out of their defensive 50 at kick outs.
Bradshaw was stopping everything across half back for the Bombers as the competition’s leading goal kicker Jack Betts stood obsolete in the goal square minded by Ryan Marshall.
Joel Waters was working hard for the Tigers, making the dangerous Egan work extra hard for his kicks.
Dennison scored a point on Wy Yung’s second entry after a high fend off from Porter.
Despite now being 34, Porter is still the best player on the park, making the game look easy on occasions.
As the quarter progressed the contest evened up, the Bombers only going inside 50 on four more occasions than the Tigers, Dennison’s late goal giving them a six-point advantage at quarter time as they breathed a sigh of relief having fended off the early Bomber onslaught.
The Bombers again had plenty of opportunities to score in the second term but weren’t as effective as the Tigers. Through persistence they were able to tie the match up by half time.
Dessent found Reeves for the first major of the term after a 50 metre penalty, before a classy Jolly finish put the Bombers in front.
The wind continued playing havoc but big man Daniel began to assert his influence on the contest.
Aaron Hanarua put the Tigers square with a quality finish after some outstanding play from Ashwood, but Reeves kicked his second after being awarded a free.
Norm Betts wasn’t out of the game for long, levelling the scores at half time with a team lifting goal after a perfect tackle.
An early goal to Wy Yung gave it the early advantage before the Bombers again peppered the goals, an exceptional kick from Brunt from outside 50 giving them a three-point advantage.
The second half of the term belonged to the Tigers who upped their tempo, a solo effort from Kellow setting up Ridge Peters, who couldn’t convert.
Peters had come on to replace Brodie Anderson and was taking the game right up to Rhys Johnson, his goalkicking letting him down.
The magical Dennison kicked his second as the Tigers regained the lead.
Missed opportunities late in the quarter extended the lead to six points as Overend and Dennison combined well with Peters and Luke Elia.
FINAL SCORES
Bois Briag 0.7 3.8 4.11 8.12 (60)
Wy Yung 2.1 4.2 6.5 8.8 (56)
GOALS – Bois Briag: J Reeves 6; W. Brunt, T. Jolly. Wy Yung: H. Kellow 3; N. Dennison 2; B. Ashwood, N. Betts, A. Hanuera
BEST – Bois Briag: T Dessent, J. Reeves, K. Porter, T Jolly, T. Bradshaw, A. Quirk. Wy Yung: B. Daniel, B. Ashwood, M. Dewar, J. Somerville, N. Dennison, T. Betts.
