WATSONIA bounced back from a disappointing semi final loss by defeating South Morang to set up a Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 Grand Final clash with Epping.
With the margin not reaching more than 15 points throughout the whole game, Andy Bennett’s three goals proved vital as the Saints held on to claim an 8.13 (61) to 6.13 (49) preliminary final victory at the Whittlesea Showgrounds.
The minor premiers will now have the chance to redeem themselves when they take on Epping in this week’s grand final, after falling short by just one point to Panton Hill in their last appearance in 2013.
Along with Bennett, Jamie Haber, Andrew Kidd and Matthew Crawford were all impressive as the Saints gradually got on top of the Lions throughout the afternoon.
Paul Harrison, Jake Potter and Daniel Watson were among South Morang’s best players, as their side succumbed to its third successive preliminary final defeat.
Daniel Heatley produced the first piece of magic with a brilliant snap on the boundary while under pressure to open the scoring for the Lions.
Ben Nesci then converted a set shot to improve the Lions’ great start to the game, as they continued on from their impressive second half against St Mary’s in the first semi final.
Hayden Mitchell and Adrian Alfonsi then responded for Watsonia, both kicking important majors to keep their side in the contest.
South Morang led by just six points at quarter time, but it easily could have been more if it wasn’t for its wayward goal kicking, outscoring the Saints nine scoring shots to three.
Jordan Brown kicked the Saints’ first goal of the second quarter. Andrew Bennett then entertained the Showgrounds over the next five minutes, providing dangerous run and carry and later scoring a crucial goal to reward his efforts.
Just as Watsonia began to gain the momentum of the match, South Morang scored back-to-back goals through Mitch Buckley and Harrison to regain the lead.
The Saints however, controlled the last five minutes of the quarter, which was highlighted by a wonderful mid-air soccer goal from Haber to put the minor premiers up by two points at half time.
South Morang was on the front foot as the third term got underway.
Despite its first two shots of the quarter ending up out of bounds of the full, straighter efforts by Harrison and Luke McKenna gave the Lions a 13-point advantage midway through the quarter.
But that is when the game turned on its head, as a sneaky snap from Kidd and Bennett’s second major of the day gave the Saints not just a five-point lead, but a momentum boost heading into three quarter time.
As the final quarter commenced, things began to get desperate and heated from both sides.
Behinds were a plenty throughout the term from both sides as they tried to find the goal that would give their side the advantage.
But it was Andrew Bennett who assured things would run smoothly for the Saints, kicking his third to send the minor premiers into the grand final.
The quarter was highlighted by a magnificent hanger from Daniel Watson as time on commenced, however it was not enough to spark his side into making a comeback.
The result sets up a much anticipated grand final, with Epping looking to go one better than last year while the Saints are after their first premiership since 1987.
Final score: Watsonia 8.13 (61) def South Morang 6.13 (49)
