Montmorency produced an excellent response to their qualifying final defeat last week, piling on 10 goals to four after quarter time to defeat West Preston-Lakeside by 32 points in Sunday’s Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 first semi-final at Preston City Oval.
The Roosters had all the answers in the first term, leading 20-1 at the 18-minute mark following three quick goals, but the Magpies went on to kick the next six majors and never looked back as they advanced to the preliminary final with a 12.12 (84) to 7.10 (52) win.
It was the Magpies midfield that led the way in the highly anticipated contest, with Sam Binion, Lin Jong and Marcus Lentini all having a major influence on the match.
Jong and Lentini were outstanding at stoppages, winning multiple clearances while constantly sending the ball inside 50, both men kicked a goal each as well.
Binion beat the Max Dreher tag in the first half, with his decision making a highlight in Montmorency’s triumph.
Patrick Fitzgerald looked difficult to contain for the West Preston-Lakeside defenders, as he made it back-to-back bags of five in his two finals this year. Jackson Jones and Billy Jenkin also impressed.
Mitchell Crapper looked the most lively for the Roosters in the defeat, kicking two of the first three goals of the match while also taking a great specky in the third term.
Adam Valeri and Michael Ercolano also had patches of brilliance.
The loss spells the end to West Preston-Lakeside’s premiership defence as well as their winning streak at Preston City Oval.
Garry Ramsay’s men had most of the possession in the first term but couldn’t convert their chances early, thus allowing the Roosters to kick the opening three goals of the match.
But two goals in time on from Fitzgerald meant the Magpies got some reward for effort and only trailed by three points at quarter time.
Montmorency went another level in the second term with multiple inside 50 entries converting into goals. Their ability to transition from defence to attack was champagne football and the momentum shift was difficult for the Roosters to halt.
Stephen McCallum, Jackson Jones, Brock Binion and Lin Jong all hit the scoreboard and by the 25th minute mark of the second quarter, the Magpies had built up a 19-point lead.
A late major from Ercolano was a sigh of relief for West Preston-Lakeside fans, as the reigning premiers trailed by 13 points at the main break.
The all important first goal of the third term went to the Magpies, with Brock Binion putting through his second of the match. Billy Jenkin then went forward to kick a rare major, putting a dent in West Preston-Lakeside’s chances of making a comeback.
Aidan Tilley was able to break the run of goals, but Fitzgerald quickly responded for Montmorency, kicking his third to put his side four goals to the good at three quarter time.
A stoppage heavy fourth term followed, particularly in the opening 10 minutes, as the Roosters struggled to keep the ball inside their attacking half.
Fitzgerald kicked goal’s four and five in the space of a few minutes to ensure that any result other than a Montmorency triumph was off the cards.
The Roosters kicked consolation majors on either side of a Marcus Lentini goal to end what was an impressive win from the Magpies.
