Burra blitz!

By Brad Kingsbury
FINALS are seldom one-sided but Saturday’s first semi-final between Keysborough and Hampton Park was the exception to that rule as the Burra methodically dismantled every part of their opponent’s game to run out 111-point winners.
While it was hard to find a consistent Redback player, Keysborough trainers had to work overtime after the match to treat cramping and sore feet that resulted from an intense and persistent attack on the ball.
Keysborough coach Greg Siwes said his side’s performance was outstanding.
“I’ve been here two years now and that’s the best game I’ve seen us play,” he said
“Our skill level was fantastic. We hardly turned the ball over, especially into the breeze and we looked the fitter side all day.”
The Burra made three changes to its qualifying final side with Siwes joining David Pribb and 18-year-old Jason Scandizzo among the inclusions, while Hampton Park made only one change with Josh Perry replacing Gary Murphy.
William Gayfer won a crucial toss and kicked with a five-goal wind, forcing the Redbacks into a defensive mindset from the outset.
Keysborough star Shaun Daly opened the game in devastating fashion, booting two of his sides first four goals in a 10-minute burst of power midfield running that set an example followed by his team mates for the rest of the afternoon.
Danger signs were plenty for Hampton Park with every turnover costly and even high-class ball users like Chris Hussey, Nathan Dawes, Linden Fredericks and Jack Besley consistently butchering the ball with up-and-under kicks to the detriment of team mates up the field.
The quarter-time margin was 38 points and that was extended to 46 points early in the second term with the Redbacks kept goalless until Kevin McLean broke through with three consecutive majors, reducing the Burra lead to 26 points at half time and giving his side hope of a revival in the second half.
That idea was quickly dispelled by the Burra in a devastating nine-goal to one third term that saw spearhead Luke McGuinness add two goals and eight team mates contribute one each to push the margin out to 80 points and seal the result.
Despite the continued efforts of Besley, Ryan Simpson and Chris Hussey, Hampton Park capitulated in the final term allowing the Burra to break the 100-point mark as the game petered out to a mundane end.
In the wash-up there were too many great Keysborough performances to list, but acts of courage from young gins Michael Downie and Leigh Williams who both marked running back into packs, needs mention.
Coupled with that is the awesome displays of overlap running from Daly, Clinton King, Kris Fowler, Daniel Morland and Kane Tucker.
Anthony Brannan’s job to shut down dangerous Redback David Biagi was outstanding, as was that of ball-magnet Chris Capsalis around the ground and the twin towers Shaun Witherden and Dean Gentle in the ruck.
Siwes had a great day in the coaching box, but said afterwards that his team deserved all the credit.
“You’re only as good as the way the players are performing,” he said deflecting any credit.
“Our bottom five or six realised the level they have to play at to be successful and they did it all day.
“Our backline was magnificent and everything we spoke about and put into place worked. That’s why we won by so much in the end.”
Keysborough will meet Pakenham in the preliminary final after Narre Warren earned a record fourth consecutive grand final berth with a dominant 41-point victory over the Lions on Sunday.
Pakenham players at first looked surprised at the ferocity of Narre Warren’s desire and then went missing, allowing their more desperate and committed opposition first use of the ball throughout the match.

Finals week 3: Preliminary final at Berwick on Sunday-Pakenham v Keysborough.