Bairnsdale took it right up to the unbeaten Leongatha in their Gippsland League second semi final reserves match last Saturday at the Leongatha Recreation Reserve.
The Parrots, with a large home crowd supporting them, where able to utilise the breeze in the final term, pulling away to win by 12 points in a competitive contest, that saw the game momentum fluctuate throughout the contest.
The Redlegs will need to beat Maffra at the Traralgon Recreation Reserve this Saturday to earn another shot at Leongatha in the grand final at the Morwell Recreation Reserve on September 21.
The first quarter was torrid affair, with both sides having opportunities as the ball went from end to end.
Logan Dunkley, who was in good form all afternoon, always presenting and looking dangerous, kicked the Redlegs’ first goal.
That stung the Parrots into action, as they kicked three goals in succession, Flinn Materia’s first for the afternoon giving them an 11-point advantage.
Momentum changed late in the term as the Redlegs broke a long run of behinds with a goal to Max Neate as quarter time beckoned.
Neate put together another impressive game, showing he has the makings of being a regular senior player in 2025.
The Parrots led by two points at quarter time but it was only because they maximised their chances, Bairnsdale right in the contest.
Leongatha up the tempo in the second term playing the game more on their terms, the result seeing the Parrots rewarded with two goals to one for the quarter, and an eight-point advantage at the long break.
Matt Hamilton (two goals) kicked the Redlegs’ only goal for the term as he and players like Dan Eastman, Damon O’Connor and Tom Selleck worked hard to keep within striking distance.
The third term became an arm wrestle, as Bairnsdale took the game right up to home side,
Hamilton kicking the only goal of the term as the Redlegs drew with in six points.
Leongatha, like the good side it is, controlled the final term, kicking the first two goals, a late major from Tyson Matthews restoring the losing margin to just 12 points.
Among the best for the Redlegs were Hamilton, Dunkley, Neate, Eastman, O’Connor and Selleck.
Bairnsdale’s under 16 season came to halt on Sunday, going down to Maffra by 61 points at Ted Summerton Reserve in Moe.
The Eagles blew the game apart in the first half, kicking seven goals to one before the Redlegs made a spirited comeback in the third term, drawing within three goals at the last change.
Maffra went to another level in the final term, kicking seven unanswered goals as well bred youngsters such as Phoenix Cox, Will and Judd Burgiel upped the tempo for an impressive victory.
Jobe Froud, Xavier Cook, Oscar Baylis (two goals), Kael Frith, Harry McGuinn and Douglas Ashby were named in the best for the Redlegs.
