THE last round of home and away games in the Upper Great Southern Football League was played last weekend and there were no surprises.
Wagin finished the season on a high note to defeat Panthers by 30 points.
Although a little inaccurate in front of goals, Bulldogs took control of the game from the first bounce and extended their lead at every quarter except the last, when perhaps they eased up and Panthers kicked 5.8 to make the scoreboard a little more respectable for themselves.
Dane Tulley was in good form up forward and complemented his teammates' good work up the ground by finishing the game with six goals.
Sheldon Turner hasn’t been able to play many games with the side this season but has been good whenever he has turned out, and this weekend was no exception as he was Bulldogs’ best player. The Painter boys each kicked two goals with Phillip Ward, and Rowell, Phil Ward and Ramsay the best.
For Panthers it was the end of a disappointing season with their five goals final term to make the scoreboard a little more respectable.
Leigh McCallum top scored with three goals with the two McKinlays and Mitchell their best.
Wanderers maintained their winning run and had their 12th successive win with the victory over Hawks, to hold onto second place and the double chance during the final.
There wasn’t a great deal between the two sides in the first half with Wanderers holding a slight lead at half-time, but Wanderers took the game apart in the third quarter when they kicked nine goals to one to take a commanding lead by three quarter time.
Fitzgerald Allen and Schloithe formed a potent attack, kicking 16 of the 18 goals between them. Kalejs was in good form in the midfield getting plenty of kicks and forcing the ball forward time and again.
Levitzke played a captain’s game and was his side's best player on the day.
Hawks went into the game short of their best side, due to the number of injuries that have been sustained, and their cause wasn’t helped when another two players had to sit out the second half of the game.
Hawks' coach Wheatcroft gave his usual tough in and under game and worked hard to lift his side, but he ran out of help in the second half as Wanderers exerted the pressure and his side will be in danger of leaving the finals early again this year if some of their injured players are not available next week.
Tim Fitzgerald was once again amongst the goals with seven, with Schloithe (five) and Allen (four) as the main goalscorers.
Levitzke and Kalejs provided great drive for the full four quarters.
Ashley Ugle was Hawks’ top scorer with coach Chris Wheatcroft leading from the front again as usual with Alexander and Broad giving some support.
Williams kept the spot at the top of the ladder with a convincing win over Kukerin/Dumbleyung. Although inaccurate, Williams took control of the game from the first bounce and were never in any danger of being threatened.
Peter Farrant with five goals and Gerard Medlen (three) were always dangerous up forward and were provided with plenty of opportunities from their active midfielders.
Best for Cats were Luke Berlund, Brad Kain and Jon Price.
For Cougars, Nathan Ditchburn made the most of his chances and kicked five goals; and Adam Gray, Damien Gooding and Jon Ward were their best.
Boddington fine tuned their game in readiness for the finals with a strong game against Wickepin. Thomas was unbeatable at full forward and was the focal point for his teammates coming through. He kicked a bag of 10 goals for the game and along with Beresi and McCormick was the best amongst a good team.
Down 18 goals to four at three quarter time, Wickepin staged a bit of a comeback when Eagles took their foot off the pedal in the final term, but the final score showed Eagles winners by 47 points in the end.
Ricky Dougall and Callum O’Brien were the only multiple scorers for Warriors with Jack Roberts and Ryan Ballard their best.
Next week sees the first semi-final to be played in Boddington with the local side up against Narrogin Hawks.
Hawks have fallen into a bit of a hole in recent weeks with some bad losses through injuries to players.
Again on Saturday they had a couple of players miss the second half of the match through injury and if they are not available again this week, Hawks will be in trouble.
Eagles have been good on their home ground, and perhaps are fortunate that this final will be played at home.
They have a good strong even spread of talent around the ground and some good strongly built players who enjoy breaking through the lines, and a big forward in Thomas who has won the goalkicking this year with 83 goals.
Much depends on Hawks' captain Perrin Quartermaine.
If he can exert some influence around the centre bounces and provide his midfielders with a fair percentage of the ball, Hawks have some good forwards in Ugle and Camaratta who have shown to be quick to take advantage.
However their defence has been suspect under pressure and if the Eagles midfields in Walsh, Hardie and Fleay are allowed to run free, Eagles have the players up forward to take up that advantage. Hawks have over 400 points more scored against them than Boddington this season and unless their rucks and midfielders get on top or at least break even they will be playing catch up football all day.
Wheatcroft and Thompson are good in the stoppages but they will also need Drage who sat out the game last week to come up if they are to hold their own.
On recent form alone, Boddington must be considered favourites to win this final and move into the preliminary in a fortnight.
The number of injuries to their league side has also had a disastrous effect on their Reserves team which will also be playing Boddington in the reserves first semi.
Hawks looked to be one of the strongest reserves side earlier in the year but have been badly affected with loss of players through injuries and really battled in recent weeks.
With both clubs having both teams in this game, there is no restriction for the selection of players and playing at home, this will benefit Eagles who could find themselves winning and going into the preliminary final.
In the thirds, both clubs, Wickepin and Kukerin/Dumbleyung have had their problems with numbers during the season.
However, Wickepin have had the more settled side and in what could be a close game, should win.
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