Scotch claim thriller, return to William Buck Premier

Old Scotch will return to William Buck Premier in 2020 and booked themselves a spot in next weekend’s Premier B Grand Final after they held off a fast-finishing University Blacks in today’s thrilling five-point preliminary final at Elsternwick Park.

Three goals from James Sansom helped the Cardinals to a 21-point lead at the half time break but they extended it shortly thereafter to 34 before the Blacks mounted their comeback via sensational performances from Jordan Quaile, Josh Steadman and Charlie Richardson.

With seven goals to five in the second half, the Blacks brought the margin to one point in the fourth term before Scotch settled with three consecutive goals including two bombs from Nick Jamieson and Andrew Jelbart.

It wasn’t the end for the Blacks, however, as they continued to apply scoreboard pressure and pump the ball inside 50 only to be continually cut off by Charlie Cormack, Jordan Clarke and Tom Downie.

Sansom, Jamieson and Cormack were named best for Scotch while Quaile, Steadman and Lachie Huntington led the way for the Blacks. Will Carrington fought valiantly against Steadman for the majority of the match while Downie spent most of his time forward.

The Cards will now face Caulfield Grammarians in next week’s decider at Elsternwick Park, while the Blacks will reload for another year in Premier B.