Saints book big dance, Romanyk Bombs Krushers

Posted on - Latest News, Featured, Division 1 Men's

Brin Duggan – @BrinDuggan

September is synonymous with finals footy. And, though we typically have warmer weather as the football hots up, this weekend provided us with nothing of the sort. Cool, damp and blustery conditions awaited the final four as they sauntered down to Sportscover Arena to meet their fate.

The first fixture pitted the top two sides, SMS and Ormond, against one another in a battle that would ensure promotion in 2018 and a Grand Final berth. The Saints finished the season as the top side but lost to PEGS in the final round. On the other hand, Ormond had not lost since Round 12 and were flying. Admittedly that loss came against a rampaging SMS side. SMS were favourites but the Monders rich vein of form could not be scoffed at.

The coin toss was crucial with the wind favouring one end so heavily and Ormond won it. Kicking three of the first four goals of the game they gained first quarter ascendancy and threatened to upset the mighty boys from Glen Iris. Although, the Monders would have been disappointed not to have put more score on the board with such a strong wind. Still, they led by 13 points as the siren sounded for the first change.

Again, in the second quarter, Ormond threatened. Despite now kicking into the stiff breeze they smashed into contest after contest and managed four goals in an impressive showing. The problem for them, though, was the potency of the SMS forward line and their ability to kick goals quickly. The Monders had the upper hand around the ground but the Saints still outscored them by two goals and the sides went into the break on 47 points apiece.

At this stage, Ormond were in the box seat having managed four goals into the breeze. Izzy Tahana had booted two goals in the second quarter, they were on top of league leading goal kicker, Manny Dolan, and had the midfield in check. For the Saints, their second option up forward, Dan Ryan, was causing the defence headaches as he threatened to blow the game open while Ben Andrews was clunking everything and readily getting his hands on the ball.

After a half-time replenishment, both sides came out full of pomp. They were at each other’s throats and were fiercely attacking the ball. Back with the breeze, Ormond would have been hoping to open up a lead to take into the final quarter. However, the Saints stifled the would-be Ormond barrage and held them to just six points for the quarter. SMS pinched a goal of their own thanks to a courageous Dan Ryan going back with the flight and managed take a handy three-point lead into the last.

Without the breeze, Ormond had a mountain of work ahead of them to get back into the game. Despite managing two goals into the breeze, once again it was the Saints ability to score that proved the difference. Holding the Monders at arms-length throughout the tense final stanza, they eventually ran out 15-point winners and secured themselves a spot in the 2017 Grand Final. Dan Ryan finished with four goals for them while Ben Andrews nabbed two of his own as he was named best on ground for his excellent four-quarter effort. Ormond will now face off against PEGS in a do or die Preliminary Final. They will also face a nervous wait at the tribunal on Tuesday night but will be buoyed by the potential return of gun recruit, Matt Hine, and the form of BOG, Thomas Buckley.

The next day, third placed PEGS took on in-form Oakleigh, and Aaron Cloke, in a must-win elimination final. The PEGS defence, the best in the league, had the task of shutting down ‘The Trident’ up forward for the Oaks which consists of the in-form Cloke, as well as his mates, Tim Scott and Trevor Bromley. Although underdogs, Oakleigh would take some stopping.

As it happened, an even first half had the game teetering on an edge for the entirety of the first three quarters. A slight breeze held Oakleigh in touch at quarter time as PEGS led at the first change by under a goal.

Another even quarter in the second left the game up for grabs as the major break came around. Although, it must be said, PEGS were in a commanding position, leading by 19-points. To add an element of resignation to the Oakleigh plight, gun recruit Adrian Romanyk was running riot and hitting the scoreboard at will.

To their credit, the Oaks won the third quarter and reduced the margin to just two goals heading into the final stanza. Threatening on the scoreboard, and in their potent forward line, Oakleigh were taking it up to the favourites. The game was still anyone’s.

As the final quarter rolled round, PEGS had the wind blowing in their favour and they didn’t need to be asked twice to take advantage of it. Despite the best, flailing efforts of Oakleigh, the Bombers bashed through 10 final-quarter goals en route to a resounding 73-point victory. Adrian “Romantic” Romanyk finished with nine goals as he had a day out; Trent Skurrie also contributed with four majors while Robert Baddeleyite battled hard all day. Despite losing, Oakleigh contributed well across the board. At the beginning of the year, making finals seemed like a tall order for the Krushers and they should be proud of their efforts.

After a great season, Oakleigh will have the summer to plot their revenge and formulate a plan to go two better in 2018. Full credit must go to coach Jamie Mollo and players Aaron Cloke, Trevor Bromley and Tom Scott for their contributions all year.

A fantastic first week of finals now leaves SMS eagerly awaiting the Grand Final. Who they face will be determined by the matchup of heavy weights, Ormond and PEGS at Waverley Oval on Saturday afternoon. Fresh off a disappointing loss, the Monders will be out for blood. They tend not to rely on any one player to get it done and it makes them a hard side to plan for. Conversely, PEGS play well when Romanyk and  Skurrie well. Shutting them down will do it for Ormond. However, PEGS will be pumped up after their elimination final victory. This will go down to the wire. I’m tipping PEGS, after the siren.