Semi Final Review 2017
From the Border Mail
OSBORNE booked a spot in its first grand final since 2012 with a gritty nine-point win over Jindera in the major semi-final at Walbundrie on Saturday.
After dominating the first-half, the Cats were forced to defend grimly with big forward Jamie Parr kicking their only goal of the second-half at the 18-minute-mark of the final term.
It proved just enough with Jindera’s inaccuracy coming back to haunt it.
“It was a good game with Jindera pushing us all the way,” Osborne coach Matt Rava said.
“We knew they would keep coming at us just like they did in the last round but thankfully we were good enough to hold on this time.
In a match dominated by the defences, Osborne’s midfield were on top early with Marty Bahr, Rava, Clancy Galvin and Sam Rutland instrumental in the Cats leading by 22 points at half-time.
We got a bit nervous at one point before the boys managed to regain control.
But Jindera has been running down sides all season and the switch of Nathan Chamings from defence to attack in the third quarter provided a spark.
His banana goal at the 17-minute-mark triggered a comeback with only poor kicking for goal costing them the lead at the final change.
Jindera eventually hit the lead at the 10-minute-mark of the final quarter when Mick Galvin kicked truly only to see Osborne respond through Parr in the dying minutes.
Jesse Wellington, Julian Hayes, Sam Crawshaw, Tom Weldon and Danny Middleton played key roles in the fightback.
Rava said the minor premier came through the clash unscathed.
“We will enjoy the next week off and get our bodies right,” he said.
“The week off will be really handy.
“Simon Lane and Trent Haddrill will be looked at along with Will Ryan and Jeremy Bahr who have played senior football.
“It’s good to go straight through.”
Meanwhile, star Culcairn midfielder Jye Shields lifted the Lions to a 19-point victory over Rand-Walbundrie-Walla in the minor semi-final on Sunday.
After a subdued opening, Shields exploded into action in the second quarter as his team banged on six successive goals to take an 18-point buffer into half-time.
Peter Cook and Jamie Robbins were dangerous in attack in the blustery conditions.
Rand-Walbundrie-Walla led by five points early in the final term before Culcairn steadied through goals to Brendan Way and Shields to seal the win.
Shields will start as one of the favourites in Wednesday’s Azzi medal count along with Lockhart’s Jordan Harrington and Murray Magpie Daniel Maher.
