KERANG are through to their third consecutive grand final after recording a hard-fought 19-point win over the Mallee Eagles in Saturday’s second semi-final at Woorinen.
After trailing by 16 points at the main break, the Blues turned it on to kick 11 of the next 14 goals, blowing the Eagles away in a devastating display of the minor premiers’ finest football.
The 17.7 (109) to 13.12 (90) win puts Kerang on a direct path to this year’s Central Murray decider, with the two-time reigning premiers having previously qualified through the preliminary final – the path the Mallee Eagles will now have to take.
The best of both teams was regularly on display, with the Eagles beating the Blues on the outside in an entertaining first half, before Kerang began bringing the ball back through the corridor and playing the game on their terms after half-time.
The loss of Eagles co-coach Brent Macleod to an ankle injury midway through the second quarter proved a turning point, with the blue and gold army not only losing one of their main ball winners, but Macleod’s midfield drive.
After initially returning to the field late in the term, Macleod took no further part, with his availability for this Saturday’s preliminary final against NNW United in doubt.
The third term was the game changer for Kerang, who won around the clearances 12-3 and doubled the Eagles for inside 50s (16-8).
Brett Kennedy was the main beneficiary, kicking three goals for the term and five for the match, with the small forward causing chaos in the Blues’ front half to be among the dominant players on the ground.
Also among the best afield for the Blues was veteran midfielder Marty Kelly, who was at his contested ball-winning best in the midfield. Josh Nitschke, Sam Heavyside and Josh Hann provided plenty of run through the corridor.
Nick Lang, also in his team’s better players, endured an entertaining battle opposed to Eagles ruckman Jai Middleton, who proved to be a worthy foe.
Middleton was able to blunt Lang’s impact when in the middle and gave the Eagles the ascendency at times, which they were unable to maintain when Kieren Bourke relieved him in the middle.
Although failing to walk away with the win, the Eagles weren’t empty handed, having beaten the minor premiers at their own game in the first half.
The challenge, should they get another opportunity against them in a fortnight’s time, will be to play in that manner for four quarters and not two.
The Eagles’ speed and ability to hit targets on transition in the first half caused great concern to the Kerang hierarchy in the first quarter, with the Mallee team failing to make the most of their opportunities after kicking 3.6 in the opening term.
It was a very un-Kerang-like display in the opening 30 minutes as they tried to get themselves into the contest, lacking composure with the ball and struggling to get their outside running game going against what appeared to be a hungrier and more determined opponent.
The move of Jayden Post forward stretched the Kerang key defenders, while Darcy Hourigan was also lively up forward with four goals.
After missing last weekend’s qualifying final win over NNW United, Hourigan sent a scare through the Mallee camp ending the game on the bench with ice on his hamstring, seemingly as a precaution.
Zac O’Meara was strong across half-back and gave his Eagles plenty of drive from defence, along with Billy O’Meara, while Harry Allen, Beau Bennett and Brady Fordham were also among Mallee’s better players.
After winning their way through to the grand final, the Blues will freshen up this week, while the Mallee Eagles will front up against NNW United at the Nyah Recreation Reserve in this Saturday’s preliminary final.
