No raining on Parade as Raiders promoted

Anna Pavlou – @Annalyst_Sports

Old Paradians have achieved the ultimate goal, defeating Whitefriars by 20 points at Highgate Reserve in the preliminary final, earning them a well-deserved promotion into Division 1 and a spot in the Grand Final. After being undefeated for the first 14 rounds, the Raiders stumbled over recent weeks, but regrouped to record a victory against the odds. Old Parade withstood a surging Whitefriars who came hard in the third term to snatch the lead, but lifted again late to run home comfortable winners.

The Raiders applied immense first quarter pressure as they kicked four unanswered goals and shook the Friars’ defence early. Again, in the second term, play was all in the Raider’s favour, but their failings to capitalise in front of goal (five points from seven scoring shots) meant the Friars could hold a glimmer of hope leading into half-time. But, in true Whitefriars spirit, a comeback was imminent as they came out a fresh side after half time.

The only multiple goal kicker for the Friars was trouper Michael Nitas, who, as he has done all season, led his side’s third quarter fightback, booting three and was the catalyst for the Friars to pile on six goals to Parade’s one. The Friars went into the final break with a five-point lead, but Parade had more left in the tank, as, spearheaded by James Kandilakis with five goals (in his best return for the season), they went on to boot six majors to Whitefriars one and seal victory. The Whitefriars have been known this season to come back and play strong second halves, but their chances missed in the first half proved costly in the end, as they spent all of their energy on their comeback and were unable to sustain the pressure and close out the game. The return of power forward Michael Boundy brought structure back into the Raider’s forward line- something they have been missing since Boundy bowed out injured over recent weeks. His three goals steadied the Raiders’ ship, but it was down back where Parade really shone.

The Raiders’ back men conceded only eight goals for the game and managed to shut down the high-scoring and multi-facetted Friars forward line, stopping the likes of Lewis Neate and Kristan Height from applying any scoreboard pressure.

Ciaran Hickey led the gallant Friars boys with one goal and was supported on the day by Marlon Simbolon, while Michael Nitas closed out his stellar season in fine style. The Friars boys were keen to return to Division 1 but fell short at the final hurdle. They however should not be disappointed with their 2018 campaign, after only winning 2 games in 2017 in Division 1 and have a young and capable team for 2019.

Old Paradians now get a crack at UHS-VU in the Division 2 Grand Final next week and this time they’ll be looking to bounce back after losing the Second Semi Final to the same Vultures outfit.

In the battle of the high schools in the Reserves Preliminary Final, MHSOB led all day to record a comfortable 28-point victory over favourites UHS-VU. Lukas Toman led the way with three goals, ably supported by James McWhinney with two, while Ollie Miles and Tom Norton led the way for the Unicorns. James McGhee booted two goals for the Vultures, while Ethan Clarke and Kynan Barnes flew the flag.

The Unicorns will now take on Whitefriars next week in the Reserves Grand Final.