| EAST GIPPSLAND NEWSPAPERS 8 EGFNL ORDER YOUR COPY newspaperphotos.com.au WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2024 Magpies swoop into grand final Lucknow is through to the 2024 East Gippsland Football Netball grand final after holding off a game minor premier Boisdale Briagolong by two points last Saturday at the Bairnsdale City Oval in the qualifying final. It was the second time this season the Magpies have downed the Bombers, this time ending an 11-game winning streak in hot and windy conditions. Lucknow came in with a couple of surprises as usual second ruck option Jake Richards started in the first centre bounce, with high flying defender Jessie Pescod lining up at centre half forward. Both changes would prove pivotal. The game started at a frantic pace and it was clear Lucknow was going to play the dead side of the ground, even though they were kicking with the aid of the breeze. Both midfields worked hard to give opportunities to their forwards and first blood was drawn by talented young Pie Nick Mooney (two goals) who marked strongly in the square and converted. Kel Porter's silky skills got Boisdale on the board as he danced his way around some hapless Lucknow defenders to kick truly soon after. Lucknow had the early edge through the hard work of Pescod surging them forward, however, the tide was beginning to turn. Boisdale then dominated forward half possessions as the Magpies were forced to counterattack. The regular standouts were to the fore, Andrew Nelson, Jesse Glassborrow and Joel McNamara keeping the Bombers forwards in check while Ryan Halford used his speed to start attacks for the Pies. Porter and his sidekick Tom Jolly (two goals) and the creative Jackson Glenane were creating opportunities for their mosquito fleet up forward. A barrel from full back from Jack Saulle, which landed in the centre circle, started a chain for an unmanned John Gooch to goal. A few quick entries resulted in Ash Smith getting on the board as Lucknow's quick ball movement, which has become a feature of their play in recent weeks, was worrying the Bombers, the Magpies holding an 11-point lead at the break. The second quarter started with a real arm wrestle and the game was played between the 50 metre arcs with both defences on top, the Bombers led by Andrew Quirk and the Marshall brothers, Nick, Ryan and Billy, while Lucknow relied on its stalwarts, led by Nelson, to repel countless attacks. Runner-up league best and fairest Matt Wilkinson was becoming dangerous around the ground with some telling intercept marks, while Richards was dominating the tap outs. Boisdale finally got a reward for its effort when Will Brunt (two) kicked truly from 50 and moments later Tim Dessent slotted another to show some reward for their dominance. Lucknow's turnovers were proving crucial and it seemed intent on giving the ball back to its counterparts at midfield. Against the run of play a chaos ball inside Lucknow's forward 50 allowed Zach Smith (two) to snap truly to stem the tide. From then on it turned back into a scrap between the two arcs with the windy conditions affecting the game significantly. Out of nowhere the X-factor for the Pies Jackson Smith (four) worked his magic with a fantastic snap from the boundary to give the Pies some ascendancy on the scoreboard ticking into time on. Momentum changed quickly in the match from the very next centre bounce as McNamara created a deep entry and Nick Mooney roved smartly to snap his second. Not to be out done, Tom Jolly converted on the siren to tie the scores at the long break, both sides heading in with plenty to think about, the Bombers at times playing selfish football inside 50 as they missed gettable chances, having five more scoring shots than the Magpies despite the scores being level. The game stepped up another level in the third quarter with both teams playing some fantastic running football and engaging in some hard hits. Jackson Smith was again in the action manufacturing a goal to give the Pies some breathing space. The rejuvenated Cal Egan (four) swiftly replied for the Bombers and he was proving a tough match up for the Pies. Saulle had done a good job on Boisdale coach Sam Bedggood up to this stage, however he was starting to get dangerous and his precise kicking into the forward line was providing opportunities for skipper Jim Reeves (two) and the underrated Egan. Richards continued to jump all over Wilkinson, the Bomber big man challenged and beaten for one of the few times this season. Richards was getting first use for his onballers and gaining some valuable territory. Brendan Flinn popped up to kick a major and when coach Shaun Mooney (two) marked and joined the goalkickers giving, Lucknow a handy break. Porter then extracted another ball out of the centre to start Boisdale's reply. The wind was starting to die down and it could prove costly as the Bombers would not have the advantage in the last quarter. Lucknow finished the quarter with a slender five-point lead. The Magpies started the better of the two teams in the final term, Jackson Smith put up his case for goal of the year with an impressive individual performance to get through multiple Bomber defenders and snap from 30 metres. Coach Mooney then made the Bombers pay after a wayward tackle 25m from goal. A critical point in the game unfolded as Flinn was sent from the field and reported for rough conduct against young Shaquille Coridas. Nicol Sandison conjured up a fantastic intercept which resulted in a Bomber goal, which was quickly followed by another from Egan after some smart work from Reeves. Jolly then stepped through some haphazard Lucknow defending to snap a goal from 40 metres out which brought the margin back to two points. Lucknow was doing its best to play the defensive game while Boisdale was full throttle trying to kick the winning goal. The Bombers struggled to make the use of an extra man and Flinn's return didn't make it any easier to score. But the Bombers continued their relentless quest for one last goal that could set up their season, however Pescod and Nelson were standing resolute. With time ticking down Nelson took a crucial mark 30 metres out, Leo Barry like, his clearing kick then a resulted ball up would see the game conclude with the Magpies taking the early entry into the grand final by two points. Richards was outstanding for the Pies and gave the league runner-up best and fairest in Wilkinson a lesson in ruck craft, while Nelson was superb across half back. Jackson Smith was outstanding up forward and in short bursts on the ball, while Halford added spark around the ground and McNamara was consistent all day. For the Bombers Billy Marshall was solid in the backline all day and was assisted by Quirk who didn't lose an aerial battle. The three superstar midfielders in Jolly, Porter and Glenane were fantastic while Egan was a good focal point finishing with four goals. FINAL SCORE Lucknow 3.3 6.3 11.4 14.9 (93) Bois Briag 1.4 5.9 9.11 13.13 (91) GOALS - Lucknow: J. Smith 4; N. Mooney, S. Mooney, Z. Smith 2; B. Flinn, J. Gooch, J. McNamara, A. Smith. Bois Briag: C. Egan 4; W. Brunt, T. Jolly, J. Reeves 2; T. Dessent, J. Glenane, K. Porter. BEST - Lucknow: J. Richards, J. Smith, J. McNamara, C. McAuliffe, R. Halford, A. Smith. Bois Briag: B. Marshall, T. Jolly, J. Glenane, K. Porter, C. Egan, W. Brunt. Boisdale Briagolong star Kel Porter and Lucknow gun recruit John Gooch battle for a ground ball during the Magpies’ thrilling two-point East Gippsland second semi final win over the Bombers at Bairnsdale City Oval last Saturday. The Magpies await the winner of this Saturday’s prelim final between Boisdale and Wy Yung at Lindenow. 540 Main St, Bairnsdale | www.westpointmotors.com.au | LMCT 6382 (03) 5152 1941 Massive 7 year manufacturer's warranty incl. Roadside assistance & capped price servicing Massive savings on all 2023 built - 2024 complied vehicles Ssangyong - Trend Setters Musso voted DRIVE best d/cab under $50k To all the teams in the 2024 Finals GOOD LUCK!
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