By JARROD POTTER
KEYSBOROUGH kept its VWFL premiership hopes alive with a 12-point preliminary final win over St John’s.
In swirly conditions at Ben Kavanagh Reserve, fate favoured the attacking Burra style – with Maddi Blackburn, Jaimee Lambert and Roslyn Hubeek all thumping the ball long and running the hard yards necessary.
Keysborough tagged St John’s key ball-winners Bronwyn Rogan and Elizabeth Whitfield for extended periods of the match as Tania Stott and Alice Allett were given those tough challenges.
With a number of players behind the ball for both sides, the match never really gained momentum as it shuttled from half-back to opposing half-back line.
Keysborough made its limited opportunities into critical goals though a ‘watch and learn’ performance from coach Natalie Cardomone helped push the side ahead with three crucial goals.
A St John’s revival came in the fourth quarter – with Michelle Densley, Rogan and Stacey Howe featuring prominently at the coalface – but the score was too far gone to chase as the Burras marched their way into the grand final and avenged last year’s preliminary final defeat at the hands of St John’s.
Hubeek was unstoppable – and should’ve been double-tagged by the JOCs – as she snared a Herculean haul of possessions.
Kaci Hillis ran the wings all match and proved the link-up dynamo and Hayley Gregory also impressed in the win.
For St John’s, Howe, Cara Mackey and Blair Kelly all deserved just mention for stand-out performances.
The challenge ahead is Scoresby – the 15-1 juggernaut of the VWFL South East this season.
That one loss, however, came in round one at the hands of Keysborough.
The grand final will be held at Ben Kavanagh Reserve, Mordialloc, from 2pm on Sunday.
CASEY CARDINIA
A GALLANT Keysborough pushed Beaconsfield most of the match at Holm Park Road on Saturday as the Eagles booked a qualifying final berth with a 21-point win.
Keysy was up and about in the first 10 minutes of play, Tyson King outpointing Daniel Battaglin and then kicking truly to bring up the day’s first, but wasted opportunities to apply scoreboard pressure.
A Cory Hargreaves miss, on the run, from five metres out on a tight angle, was followed by a Danny Morland poster, two golden chances gone begging… and the Eagles made them pay.
A 17-point lead at quarter time grew to 29 by the main break and the Eagles kept the Burra at arm’s length in the second half to get the job done.
Meyer drifted forward to finish the day with four for the home side while McPhie kicked three in his first game back since round 14.
Mislicki was instrumental in keeping the Burra at bay in the first term, while Damien Johnston, Josh Dodsworth, McGowan and Battaglin were consistent performers all day.
The Burra finish their season with a brave performance that really typifies its year. Tyson King’s three goals were just reward for a great game against good opposition while Davor Rajic, three goals, and Chris Bryan with two, caused the Eagles’ defenders headaches down back.
Waata Wells, Jayke Hopkins and Ryan Goodes were others to finish their season on a high.
SFL – DIVISION 2 and 3
SPRINGVALE Districts will fight for their life this weekend in an elimination final against Murrumbeena on Sunday.
This week was, in effect, an elimination final as well, with Oakleigh District nipping at their heels in seventh.
Down at three-quarter-time against Caulfield, the Districts rallied – pulling themselves out of a slump to kick six unanswered goals to take the crown by 27 points to advance to the finals.
Gav Vassallo and Billy Athanasopoulos kicked four goals each while Adam Nichols, Rob Johnston (2) and Matt Thompson also featured in the best.
DANDENONG booked its spot in a qualifying final with a 28-point win over the vastly improved Lyndale.
From wooden spooners in 2012 to finals contenders, the rise has been rapid for the Pumas and 2014 looks bright if they can retain this playing nucleus.
Brad Carroll was best afield for the Pumas and booted three goals while Trevor Kumetaitis finished the year strongly with three of his own – taking his tally to 59 for the season.
For the Redlegs Steven Young and David Mckean kicked four each while Matt Van Schajik (2), Levi Moss and Chris Hatfield (1) were their standouts.
Dandenong faces Carrum Patterson Lakes at Jack Barker Oval on Saturday.
Sandown signed off a forgettable season with a 27.17 (179) to 7.5 (47) thumping of wooden spooners Endeavour Hills.
With 13 individual goalkickers and four players – Leigh Holroyd, Brad Reiner, Matt Menzies and Dwayne Doig – snaring three each, the rout was severe and drawn out for the Falcons.
Kicking away in the second half, Sandown booted 16 goals to send a message that 2014 will mean greater things.
Doig, Jason Toan and Shane Adams were best on in the last Cobras’ match of 2013.
