BALRANALD are one step away from making their first grand final in more than a decade after overcoming a determined Woorinen by seven points in Saturday’s qualifying final.
In a see-sawing encounter where the lead changed 11 times, the Roos won the big moments to secure a 12.10 (82) to 11.9 (75) win.
They will now take on Kerang in the second semi-final on Saturday.
While Woorinen may have lost the match, they lost no admirers, and the result may have been very different had the Tigers capitalised on several gilt-edged opportunities early in the last quarter.
Matt Gardner eventually kicked the Tigers seven points clear 14 minutes into the final term, but that seemed to rouse Balranald from their slumber as Seth Connell and Drew Lloyd put the Roos back in front with quick replies.
Some risky football in defence from Balranald youngster Sebastian Papa then gifted Tom Isma a goal with three minutes remaining to level the scores, before some clean forward-half stoppage play from Ben Fuller and Matt Neagle sealed the game in the dying moments.
Both Lloyd and Connell were influential up forward for Balranald, finishing the day with three goals each, with Lloyd also working tirelessly higher up the ground to provide a marking target.
Early on, the Roos were too Ben Fuller conscious, continually kicking to their key forward despite Woorinen double and triple-teaming him at times.
Fuller still managed two for the quarter, his only scoreboard contribution for the day, but the Roos trailed by four points at the first change.
With the pressure of both teams through the roof, it was Woorinen’s move of Lachlan Gardner forward and Ben Hunt into the ruck that threatened to be the difference, as Gardner kicked two goals for the third term as the dominant target inside forward 50.
But Gardner’s absence from the ruck allowed Balranald’s Jordan Wilkins to play a significant role and help the Roos onballers get on top around the stoppages.
In a game of momentum swings, Balranald’s classy ball users had a major influence, with Jydon Neagle, Matthew Neagle, Colin Andrews and Kobe Lloyd finding plenty of the ball.
Taylor Cameron was prominent off half-back for the Tigers, providing run and drive out of defence.
Josh Domaille was another who won a lot of possession for the Tigers, along with Robbie Miller and Danko Bzenic, who was clean by both hand and foot on the wing.
William Collicoat was influential across half-forward, playing higher up the ground than usual and using his speed to find space through the corridor.
FINAL SIREN
| Balranald | 3.3 | 6.8 | 9.8 | 12.10 | 82 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woorinen | 4.1 | 6.2 | 9.6 | 11.9 | 75 |
