NYAH-Nyah West United will play in their first preliminary final in seven years after running over the top of a lacklustre Woorinen.
The Demons kicked six of the first seven goals in Sunday’s first semi-final, holding a 31-point lead by early in the second quarter and going on to win 14.13 (97) to 9.12 (66).
Despite a top-three finish, the Tigers were bundled out of the finals series in straight sets, the first time since 2016 they have not made it to the preliminary final or further.
NNW United next face the team they played in that season’s grand final, Kerang.
While Dom Gallo returned from injury to play his former side for the first time, the Demons will be anxiously awaiting to see how Joel Walsh pulls up, after suffering what appeared to be a hamstring injury in the third quarter.
Jarrod Stokes’ class and evasiveness was on full display for the large crowd in a sublime midfield effort.
Elusive forward and fellow northern recruit Ahmat-Watkins was the main beneficiary of his teammate’s dominance, kicking five goals.
In many respects a carbon copy of the elimination final, the Demons’ outside run and intense pressure around the ball proved a combination too hot for their opponents.
The usually slick Woorinen, although on top in clearances, found ball movement difficult from the outset, either lacking a dominant marking target up forward or wasting the ball kicking forward.
In a stark contrast, NNW United preferred to move the ball by hand, their ability to run and carry breaking the game open, while Woorinen were constantly looking to switch the play to find space and pick their way through by foot.
Neither side’s forward entries were perfect, however the chaos seemed to help the Demons’ smaller forward line find space.
The Tigers did fight their way back over the second term and Will Collicoat kicked consecutive goals to give his side a sniff.
Finding more of the ball, their work rate lifted and they regained the momentum, but they were unable to hurt the Demons where it mattered most.
Lachlan Gardner stood up in the third quarter and became the Tigers’ much needed forward target, taking several contested marks on his way to two goals for the term and three for the match.
Despite the margin being wrestled back to 22 points at the final break, any semblance of a comeback was quickly snuffed out as Brayden Bigham, Charlie Boulton and Joseph Violi kicked the next three majors for NNW United.
Along with Stokes, the midfield of Kayne Davidson, Ethan Saville and Gallo dominated for much of the day on the wide-open spaces of the Barham Recreation Reserve.
Alex Erlandson was another key contributor for the Demons, especially in the first half, the athletic ruckman providing his side with a key focal point, while Campbell Everitt, Joel Campbell and Mitch Grinham were strong in defence.
For the Tigers, Ben Booth and Henry Thompson worked tirelessly in defence, while Jye Barry and Danko Bzenic gave good service in the midfield, but in reality, their better players were too few and far between in an afternoon to forget for the yellow and black army.
FINAL SIREN
| Woorinen | 1.4 | 3.8 | 7.11 | 9.12 | 66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NNW United | 4.5 | 8.7 | 11.9 | 14.13 | 97 |
