SUNDAY was a tremendous day for football and the good crowd that attended Pingelly for the preliminary finals were treated to three exciting games.
In the end each of the losers from the second semi won their way through to again challenge for the premiership.
In the league game, Boddington looked very fresh after their week off and started in great style.
With McCormick in the midfield in top form and their strong players in Fleay, Walsh and Stewart running hard, Boddington established an early lead and looked to be in full control. Wanderers looked hesitant and Boddington had little trouble in keeping their forwards down.
An early goal to Boddington at the start of the second term extended their lead and Wanderers appeared to have no one capable of lifting the side.
However, a scuffle between players just after Wanderers kicked their third goal, resulted in a Boddington player being sent from the field and another goal to Wanderers and the whole complexion of the game changed completely and Wanderers took over.
They kicked the next seven goals and the Boddington seemed to be at sea and unable to do anything to stop their run.
Allen at centre half forward was covering a lot of territory and getting a lot of support from Troy Flugge on the flank.
Wanderers went in at half-time with a lead of five goals.
Some very harsh words from the coach seemed to inspire Boddington for they came out a much more determined side in the third term.
Wanderers worked hard to limit their run, but Boddington gradually closed the gap. Thomas at full forward was becoming a danger and a real focal point up forward when Boddington came into attack.
McCormick was still in control round the midfield and Bryan Hardie was using his pace in the open spaces and providing another avenue to goal.
There was just one goal the difference at three quarter time and the stage was set for a very close encounter for the final term.
Spectators were on the feet as the early part of the final term was goal for goal.
Each side was all out attack and when they turned the ball over the opposition had an easy run down to the other end with loose players everywhere.
Collard and Schloithe was very dangerous up forward and full of running and the Boddington defence has difficulty in closing them down.
Halfway through the term, it was still anyone’s game and the ball was being moved from one end to the other very rapidly.
But it was Wanderers who got successive goals and that seemed to break the dam.
With a lead of about eight points, Wanderers lifted the temp and in the final 10 minutes rammed home some five goals to win the match and get another chance at Williams in the grand final next week.
For Wanderers Schloithe and Collard each kicked five goals with Troy Flugge, Allen and Davis being their best.
Thomas up forward finished the day with five goals also with McCormick, Beresi and Hardie the best for Eagles.
In the reserves Williams proved to be too good for Hawks and won their way into the grand final by six goals.
Email a friend