Preliminary Final Review – 2017
From the Border Mail
JINDERA has been looking forward to playing on the big Walbundrie ground all season.
Their stocks look set to be further boosted with wingman Sam Myors almost certain to return from a knee injury for the premiership decider against Osborne.
Coach Kerry Bahr was delighted with the way his players responded after Culcairn kicked the final two goals before half-time to close within two points.
“Culcairn is a dangerous side,” Bahr said.
“I thought there were signs that we were going to break open the game in the second quarter but to Culcairn’s credit they kicked late goals and stayed in touch.
Ruckman Mitch Lawrence played a major tole in the victory with Julian Hayes, Rhys Preston, Sam Crawshaw and Danny Middleton also impressive.
Tom Weldon once again delivered the goods for the Bulldogs by shutting Culcairn dangerman Jye Shields out of the match.
The pace of youngster Dylan Pettingill and former Lion Hayden Hamilton also created plenty of carnage.
Culcairn squandered opportunities with the breeze in the opening quarter which hurt after half-time as its run dried up.
Joel Merkel was lively around half-forward and capped off a strong match with two goals, Brendan Way negated plenty of attacks and Jed Andrew was a tireless four-quarter performer.
But the Lions could only manage two points in the third quarter with Matt Osborne holding Jamie Robbins, Mick Galvin restricting the dangerous Peter Cook and Trent Peryzk battling to break the shackles on Jacob Millar.
In another key match-up, Ryan Speed was moved to Tim Hallinan and split the honours.
Crawshaw, Michael D’Arcy, Middleton, Hamilton and Jesse Wellington finished with two goals each for the victors.
“We don’t rely on one goalkicker and I think that showed,” Bahr said.
“There was a good even spread which is important in finals.
“I thought we were fairly even right across the board.”
Bahr said Myors was “75 to 80 per cent right” to play in the preliminary final with the Bulldogs erring on the side of caution by holding him back.
Jindera’s reserves staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Brocklesby-Burrumbuttock.
Trailing by 41 points at half-time, the Bulldogs kicked 7.0 to 0.1 in the final quarter to earn a shot at Henty in the grand final.
“It’s great to get two sides through,” Bahr said.
“The club has come a long way.”
The grand final draw is:
- Seniors: 2.15pm, Osborne v Jindera
- Reserves: 12pm, Henty v Jindera
- Thirds: 10am, Brock-Burrum v Lockhart
- Fourths, 8.45am: Osborne v Holbrook.
