The Eagles took a comfortable lead into the last, and although the dogs gave it everything, the determination of the experienced Dudley side saw them over the line, which ended a promising Hounds season in straight sets.

Willson showed why he is the Island’s best, along with Bond and Howard, whilst Knoxy, Walden and Dan Taylor’s experience was invaluable in a young Dogs outfit which will come out a stronger team next season.

Good luck to the Roosters and Eagles, both teams as good as each other, proving to be a great contest.

Dudley in a Reserves thriller

Preliminary Final

Reserves

Parndana v Dudley United

The reserves match was a thriller. Parndana won the toss, kicking to the slightly favoured southern end, but it was Dudley who struck first with goals to big men, Justin Harmon and Neil Stoeckel, looking dangerous at full forward. The Red’s quickly hit back, through Simon Dennis, putting the Eagles defenders under pressure, Brett Howard and David Florance resolute down back while Parndana were missing Simon Kelly as a target. Brent Kirby’s snap from the boundary dribbled through, a great tackle on floggers by Mark Cooper was still cleared by Dudley who worked it forward to Stoeckel and it was four goals to one. Once again Parndana fought back.

Pacy Imran Sullivan goaled to begin a desperate second term as both sides put their bodies on the line. At half time Dudley were seven points up.

Matt Benson opened the third by evading a couple of tackles and delivering to Stoeckel in the square. The Roosters lifted again, winning the centre breaks to pile on three straight goals through Gaskin and Ness and hit the front. Stoeckel went into the ruck but a late goal to John Watters left Dudley a tad shell-shocked at the last break, trailing 6-1 to 8-4.

The Roosters just needed to hang on, and with the Sullivans and Co running their legs off it looked like they would do just that, but Dudley had other ideas. Benson’s run down the wing ended in a goal, Floggers bombed another and all bets were off. Parndana bustled their way forward where Super Dennis broke clear for a shot, but it veered agonisingly off track for a narrow point. With a minute to go the Eagles rebounded, opportunist Jed Martain booting the goal of his life and the siren sounded, sending his side into another Grand Final.

Hard luck to the Roosters, a great game from both sides with a final margin of just five points.

Brave Saints outbid by Blues

Colts

Wisanger v Western Districts

Wisanger made early gains despite determined defence from Western Districts.

With the ruck duels between Will Whiting and Luke Hacker about even, the blue boys made use of a slight breeze to overcome Wonks kick and run game with forward pressure, scoring 3-1 to one point.

An even second quarter saw Hacker standing tall in defence as Wisanger attacked. When Josh Thomas snapped a goal it looked grim for the Saints, but with Anthony Anderson working hard they fought back for Lucas Boyle to open their account.

Young gun Sam Lewis recovered the initiative in the third with a great running goal, another from Liam Sampson before Wonks scored their second with a long goal from Anderson.

Nash Manoel was playing a great game off the wing, driving his team forward, but inaccuracy frustrated the Panthers and they finished the third quarter with 7-9 to Wonks 2-4.

Last roll of the dice and the Saints came out firing, Jake Nolan booting two goals before Damon Weatherspoon drilled another and suddenly they were just two goals down.

It was Wisanger’s turn for desperate defensive football, Jayden Kingi hard at it as the equally hard tackling Saints boys battled to make up the deficit.

But Wisanger steadied, recovered the momentum and pushed hard for Peter Collins to give them some breathing space, Daniel Boughen icing the game with another goal and ending the season for a courageous Wonks outfit. Well done both teams.