DEVILS & SUNS CLAIM FIRST WEEK FINALS WINS
North Foostcray will face Wyndhamvale for a spot in this year’s Division 2 Grand Final after defeating cross-town rivals West Foostcray 12.10 (82) to 8.11 (59) in Saturday’s Qualifying Final.
The Devils got an early jump on the Roosters establishing an 11-point buffer at quarter time at Yarraville Oval before extending their advantage to 19 and 32 points at the next two breaks.
Barnaby Sianos, Jackson Ryan and Shaun Ujcich were influential for North Footscray with star forward Matt Serafin continuing his red-hot form in front of goal with five majors on the afternoon.
Ruckman Chris Long and forward Matthew Turcinovich (four goals) kept West Foostcray in the hunt, but the Devils were able to hold firm in the last.
The Roosters will now face Suns, winners of the Elimination Final, in a do-or-die first Semi Final.
Suns kept their season alive with a 17.14 (116) to 12.10 (82) victory over Braybrook.
Just four-points separated the sides at quarter time in Sunday’s fourth versus fifth contest, but the Suns blew the game open in the second term.
Seven goals to one to helped the higher ranked side to a 40-point lead at the main break with Matthew Wright (three goals) and Patrick Hynes (two goals) enjoying strong opening halves.
With Brandon Austin (five goals) dangerous in attack the Brookers reduced the margin to 29 points with a term to play, but cutting the deficit any further was too big a task as Joshua Foster and Michael Ryan ensured the Suns advanced to the second week of the post season.
In the weekend’s Division 2 Reserves finals North Footscray was too strong for West Footscray in the Qualifying Final, while Albanvale will continue its campaign after overcoming Suns in the Elimination Final.
The opening weekend of Division 2 Under 18 finals saw Laverton/Manor Lakes secure a thrilling three-point win over Newport in the Qualifying Final, while Point Cook Centrals ended Tarneit’s season with a comfortable Elimination Final victory.