LAKERS INTO FIRST DIVISION ONE DECIDER
By Connor Pain |
Caroline Springs is through to a historic first TIV Division 1 Senior Menā€™s Grand Final thanks to a last gasp seven-point win over Yarraville Seddon.
They’ll face minor premiers Werribee Districts with both sides looking to create their own history; the Lakers a first-ever Division 1 premiership, while Werribee is seeking a second flag in three years in what will be their fourth straight appearance in the season decider.
With all to play for in Sundayā€™s Preliminary Final both sides came out firing with Yarraville Seddon able to take greater advantage of forays forward despite quieter days from their three forward spearheads.
Living up to the billing of the occasion, goals were at a premium as both enjoyed patches of control.
The Eaglesā€™ slender three-point lead at the first change was overturned by the half as Caroline Springs entered the main break up by eight.
It was the Eagles turn after the restart but by no means were the Lakers out of it, neither side able to gain an inch and as the game grew longer.
Yarraville Seddon regained a slim lead heading into the last and looked most likely to qualify for a maiden Division 1 Grand Final as they led by five-points with 22 minutes gone in the last.
After losing the lead in the fourth quarter of their major Semi Final against Werribee Districts, Caroline Springs weren’t going to let that happen two weeks in a row.
The Lakers finished with the final five scores of the contest, their final two were the difference – back-to-back goals – the first giving them the lead the second seeing them home 11.16 (82) to 11.9 (75) with the result securing their place in the Grand Final.
With a host of their leading forwards out through injury, Ryan Allan’s game-high four majors were vital for the Lakers who will ask for his heroics just one more time if they’re to overcome the minor premiers in the final game of the year.
For Yarraville Seddon defeat will taste no less sour when victory and a grand final birth was within reach so late into the fourth quarter, but the future is bright with a talented young core.
Meanwhile, earlier on Saturday Caroline Springs Reserves booked a Grand Final berth, also against Werribee Districts, with an 18-point Preliminary Final win over Hoppers Crossing.
And in the Division 1 Under 18s Sunshine denied Werribee Districts having all three sides playing in season deciders by defeating the reigning premiers 88-68.
The Kangaroos will meet Newport in this weekā€™s Grand Final.