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SOUTH Croydon and Doncaster turned on a classic on Saturday afternoon at Bayswater Oval, with the Bulldogs recording a last-gasp six-point victory to set up a date with Vermont in the second semi-final.
An inaccurate South Croydon wasted several scoring opportunities in the first term, kicking 1.9 before Doncaster made them pay in the second, leading by as much as 17 points before the midway point. Two late goals in the shadows of half-time saw the Sharks’ lead cut to just three points at the main break, before the sides rallied in the second half. With the scores locked late in the final term, South Croydon’s Michael King pounced on a loose ball inside 50 to kick the winner.
On Sunday, Blackburn proved far too good for Rowville at Central Reserve, recording a 38-point victory to set up a semi-final clash with Doncaster this Sunday.
In Division 2, Lilydale came from 42 points down midway through the third quarter to pinch victory by a point with a kick after the final siren in the elimination final at Tormore Reserve on Sunday.
Skipper Brad Lowe was the hero, who received a free kick directly in front of goal for holding the ball after his tackle on Bayswater captain Joel Galvin.
Meanwhile, Doncaster East ran out 20-point winners over Upper Ferntree Gully in the semi-final off the back of three goals each to Tom Gordon and Jake Summers. The Lions are through to their third grand final in four years, and will play the winner out of next week’s preliminary final between Lilydale and Upper Ferntree Gully.
Division 3 saw Boronia end Heathmont’s season by 28 points on Saturday afternoon, as the Hawks proved too strong leading at all changes.
Zak Robinson finished with three majors for the victors. Ringwood powered its way through to the Division 3 grand final after a 27-point win over Scoresby on Sunday afternoon. The Redbacks led by 24 points at half-time, doubling the margin to an unassailable 48 at three quarter time. Boronia will meet Scoresby next Sunday afternoon at East Burwood Reserve in the preliminary final.
The Glen Waverley Hawks will meet the Whitehorse Pioneers in this Saturday’s Division 4 grand final at Walker Park in Mitcham, after a 19-point victory over East Burwood in the preliminary final on Saturday.
The Hawks controlled the contest after quarter time, turning around a three-point deficit to lead by 26 points at the main break. Pickering, Broad, Murray, McMillan and Ferguson each booted two for the Hawks.