THE weather was ideal for football on Sunday and spectators at Boddington for the Upper Great Southern Football League’s first semi-final were treated to some fine football.
Hawks regained some of their injured players for the game and fielded a much more balanced team but Boddington put the pressure on Hawks from the first bounce and were never really in trouble of losing.
Quartermaine in the ruck for Hawks was winning his fair share of knocks and his midfielders in Wheatcroft, Thompson and Drage were taking the ball away with some quick movement.
However, the Hawks forwards were being well held by Eagles defence, and with Edwards blocking Ugle right out of the game, Hawks were finding it difficult to find an avenue to goal.
Camaratta was active in the first quarter covering a lot of territory chasing kicks, but he was dogged by Durack who never left his side, and he gradually slipped out of the game.
Matthew Power was another strong defender who closed his opponent down but always seemed to be loose when his side gained possession, and he was a good avenue out of defence and into attack.
Joe McCormick for Eagles was in tremendous form and providing plenty of opportunities for his forwards.
He was running loose across the midfield and Hawks didn’t seem to have anyone who could limit his effectiveness.
Down forward for Boddington, leading goalkicker Thomas was a target but he found a tough opponent in Gerald Ugle.
Although much smaller and giving away a number of kilos, Ugle made Thomas work hard for his goals, but he couldn’t stem the tide completely and the ball just continued to be coming in.
Thomas finished the game with eight goals with Ralph Kickett the top scorer for Hawks with three.
Young Beach in the forward line played well and showed a great deal of pace at times and was more than useful.
For Hawks their better players were their defenders who strove hard all day to keep their side in the game, but the control that Boddington had coming out of defence gave them little chance of stopping every attack.
In the end Boddington got home by 33 points to have a week's rest before challenging the loser of next week’s second semi.
With a number of league players returning, the Hawks' reserves side was a much more competitive side and they proved too good for Boddington in the reserves semi final.
Boddington had their share of play around the ground, but just couldn’t convert on the scoreboard. Sam McMillan proved a handy foil for Corasaniti in the forward line and both finished the game with four goals each.
Tristan Lock was Hawks' best player as he racked up many kicks and did something with the ball each time.
Boddington’s accurate kicking for goal in the first three quarters seemed to keep them in touch but never seemed to be a danger of overtaking the Hawks, and the Narrogin side went on to win by 50 points.
In the thirds, both sides have battled for numbers during the year, but they had the numbers and quality on display in this game.
With a fairly strong wind blowing in the opening quarter, Warriors took advantage of it, and had four goals on the board before the end of the first quarter – half their score for the entire game and although Cougars reduced the deficit a bit during the second quarter, their inaccurate kicking for goal in the final quarter certainly spoilt their chances of winning.
Warriors went on to win by 13 points.
The second semi-final next week sees minor premiers Williams at home to Katanning.
Wanderers have won their past 12 games in succession, including two against Cats.
Both sides have got talent all over the ground, and this promises to be an exciting game.
There are a number of promising young players on both sides; Davis, Schloithe, Zilm and Crosby for Wanderers who have been supporting their more experienced teammates extremely well.
For Wanderers Tim Fitzgerald has been in good goalkicking touch, Kalejs in the midfield has settled down well with the team and captain Levitzke is leading from the front.
Williams have some great young players in Brad Kain who is holding down the centre half back position with aplomb and Jake Stringer is proving to be a versatile midfielder.
These players along with coach Price, Berlund brothers, Rose and Gilhome to provide opportunities to Cats strong forwards in Farrant, Medland and Morrell point to a close and exciting match.
These two clubs will also face off in the reserves second semi with Wanderers likely to retain their undefeated record by winning over a determined Williams side who are keen to defend their title from last year.
In the thirds, it is Hawks who gone through the season undefeated so far, and have had the measure of Wanderers in their two games so far.
Finals are a difference kettle of fish, but Hawks with their better spread of talent in this grade, should prove to be too strong for Wanderers, and will take the short cut to the grade final in three weeks' time.
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