ULTIMA will play in a fourth consecutive Golden Rivers Football League grand final after the two-time reigning premiers defeated Murrabit by 20 points in Saturday’s second semi-final.
Both sides went into the match confident of producing a win, despite the ‘Roos winning the past three encounter by 20 points, five points and one point.
The loss leaves the Blues needing to defeat Nullawil this weekend in the preliminary final for a fifth crack at Ultima this season.
With both sides at close to full strength, the ‘Roos kicked with a slight breeze towards the Bendigo end of the Macorna Recreation Reserve – which had been the scoring end for the three finals held prior to the seniors game.
The Blues started brightly, with an early goal to key forward Leigh McCombe within the first minute, but the ‘Roos were able to answer with key forward Basil Althouse able to mark well, and their rampant on-ball brigade such as Tom Isma, Kyle Brasser and Tom Bull were creating plenty of forward entries which put pressure on the Murrabit defence.
Simon Ettershank and Ben Mahon both received a yellow card for a scuffle, and the ‘Roos continued to score freely, gaining a 19-point lead at quarter time. Taking the breeze into account, this was probably evenly matched.
Murrabit then had its turn with the breeze, and looked dangerous when they had opportunity down forward, with McCombe goaling again, with the sides on level terms after coach, Nathan Henry kicked his first.
Ultima’s defence was struggling to contain Murrabit’s talls, and could not get the ball into its forward half, as Blues onballers Nathan Brown and Tom Holdstock became more involved in the game with their effective ball use.
Tom Hetherington was doing a good job shutting down the effectiveness of key Ultima playmaker Jacob Schaper, who had few possessions.
Murrabit held a six-point lead at the main break, but a six-goal to one third quarter saw the ‘Roos lead by 24 points with one term to play.
The brilliance of Isma, who was able to hit the scoreboard, the contested marking of Althouse – who finished with three goals – and the run and drive from Bull and Mitch Seton-Stewart allowed Ultima to get on top. Murrabit just couldn’t stem the flow of goals and it was the last 10 minutes of the quarter that really hurt them in the outcome of the game.
The Blues made a surge kicking with the scoring end in the final term and looked as if they were giving the ‘Roos. As had happened in all their previous encounters during the season, there was little between the sides.
Mccombe lifted the side in the last term, finishing with five of the side’s 10 goals and giving a physical presence in the forward line.
Brown reduced the margin to less than one kick with 15 minutes to go, with the side receiving a boost when Dwayne Hamlyn was yellow carded for a high hit.
However, as good sides do, Ultima found a way to win. Coach Jack O’Rourke had a couple of telling touches that were vital in the result. He goaled from deep in the forward pocket to give the ‘Roos a two-goal lead, and had a hand in the last goal, setting up Isma’s third to seal the deal.
Extra time needed
MACORNA will play in the Golden Rivers Football League’s reserves grand final after defeating Murrabit by 11 points in extra time on Saturday.
Chris Wilson – who levelled the scores with two minutes remaining before the end of regulation time – and Michael Distefano led the way in the final 10 minutes of the match as the league experienced its first draw in a finals match for more than a decade.
The Tigers, who led by 27 points at quarter time, fought back from trailing by 13 points with 10 minutes to play.
Murrabit’s first score came in the second term, with the reigning premiers cutting the deficit to five points at the main break.
Macorna took advantage of the breeze in the third quarter to extend its lead to 13 points with one term to play, but the Blues kicked the first four goals of the last quarter.
Wilson – who kicked seven goals – booted the Tigers’ first two majors of extra time, before the Blues responded.
Distefano’s second goal of the game sealed the win, with the Blues to play Nullawil in Saturday’s preliminary final.
Greg Whelan (four goals) and Mitchell Laursen stood out for Murrabit, with Wilson and Daniel Allison standing out for Macorna.
