Cats claw way into Grand Final
From the Eastern Riverina Chronicle
OSBORNE has qualified for yet another Hume Football League grand final after it held off a determined Jindera at Walbundrie in the second semi-final.
The perennial champions of the last three decades did not have it easy as the Bulldogs mounted a big second half comeback.
After hitting the front in the final term Jindera could not sustain its run as Osborne steadied to win by just nine points.
Just like its round 18 clash the match was low scoring with the final score being Osborne 7-12-55 to Jindera 5-15-45.
Osborne for its lofty standards have been in a minor “premiership” drought with its last success being in 2012.
Prior to that and including its 2012 success they have won and amazing 12 premierships between 1991 and 2012.
Osborne got four players back from its last match, but again missed the services of utility back Trent Haddrill.
Jindera were still without star midfielder Sam Myors and reliable defender Mick Blomley. Both will face tough tasks again to prove fitness for this week.
Osborne big man Andrew Johnston and Jindera forward Mick Galvin were the only multiple goal kickers in the game with two apiece.
For the winners, coach Matt Rava saved his best game of the year for the right time to be awarded best on ground.
Marty Bahr, Clay Galvin, Sam Rutland and George Alexander were other excellent contributors for Osborne.
Experienced campaigner Jess Wellington was outstanding for the Bulldogs, with Tom Weldon and Danny Middleton not far behind.
Jindera, despite the loss, will be confident of bouncing back in next week’s preliminary final to get one last crack at the Cats.
The Bulldogs will rue the first quarter when they dominated general play but kicked 1-6. They also kicked 2-5 in the third.
For Osborne, big man Jamie Parr again proved a match winner with his goal in the final stages clinching the Cats’ victory.
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CULCAIRN made it two finals wins in as many weeks with a 19-point win over Rand Walbundrie Walla Giants at Walbundrie on Sunday.
The semi-final was played in windy conditions with the Lions adapting much better to set up a preliminary final clash against Jindera this Saturday.
Led brilliantly by Jye Shields, Lions dominated after quarter time to outclass the Giants who could not match the previous week’s intensity.
Culcairn’s victory came without two of its best players, with Dane Hallinan and Tim Haines both out with four-week suspensions.
The Lions lifted for their missing teammates and had excellent contributions from all 21 players who won some crucial contests at crucial times.
Haines was charged by the match review panel and, after being offered a two-week suspension, the Lions opted to take the charge to the tribunal.
A hastily convened tribunal found Haines guilty and slapped him with a four-week penalty. Culcairn attempted a stay of proceeding but was dismissed by AFL NSW.
If Culcairn are to make the grand final with a win next week, both players will miss the decider.
All Hume Football League final matches are being filmed.
On the field, it was a commanding performance by Culcairn with finals specialist Peter Cook kicking four goals and John Robbins three.
Iain McGillvray put in a sterling ruck performance, with Adam Eady, Jesse Sutherland and Lachie Bruce giving great support.
The Giants young ruckman Mitchell Thomas had a great contest with McGillvray to cap off an outstanding debut season of senior football.
Tommy Simmons played a blinder off half back and got excellent support from midfielder Justin Gordon and reliable defender Darcy Kilmartin.
The Giants previously potent forward trio of Myles Aalbers, Todd Miller and Nick Turner failed to fire with just four goals between them.
Culcairn will go into the preliminary final hoping to reverse the round 11 clash where Jindera mauled them by 93.
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PRELIMINARY FINALS
- Firsts – Jindera v Culcairn
- Seconds – Jindera v Brock Burrum
- Under 17 – Osborne v Lockhart
- Under 14 – Henty v Holbrook
