GLENROY 21.17-143 def. HILLSIDE 6.12-48 – Details
A DISAPPOINTING day for Hillside, as they were blown out of the water in the second semi by Glenroy - now definitely the firm Essendon Ford Division 1 flag favourite.
Coming into this game Hillside was always going to be the underdog, but Saturday’s result was quite surprising as Glenroy tore the Sharks apart in all areas of the ground and won by 95 points - the most they have beaten the Sharks by all season.
Both games these two sides have played throughout the year have been relatively close.
Although Glenroy managed to win both, the margin wasn’t quite like it was on the weekend.
Glenroy kicked five goals to Hillside’s one in the first quarter, which set the standard for the rest of the game in which Hillside just could not seem to match.
The Sharks could only score another goal to halftime while Glenroy kicked another two, winning the first half and setting up what was a very good day for Ross Terranova’s men.
The third quarter was where Glenroy really turned up the heat, kicking nine unanswered goals tp put Hillside away and into the Prelim.
Glenroy was able to stay in possession for most of the game and did not allow any chance of Hillside scoring, and when the Sharks did manage to get the ball, Glenroy’s pressure was relentless.
The usual forwards for Glenroy did what they have done all year, with Adam Winter and Jayden Walker kicking four goals each, while Luke Capuano and Josh Trembearth had three apiece.
Jayden Walker was Glenroy’s best.
At the other end, the returning Brandon Coletta tried to keep his team in the game with two goals, while Jake Bertollo was their best player on the day.
This win puts Glenroy straight into the big dance, while Hillside will be back in action this Sunday at Coburg City Oval.
TULLAMARINE 10.13-73 def.by AIRPORT WEST 11.12-78 - Details
This is what finals time is all about, as Tullamarine and Airport West went head-to-head in one of the best games of the year so far.
However, one had to go down.
Tullamarine will be kicking themselves as they gave up their second chance to Hillside.
All credit to the Eagles, though, who just made finals in their last game of the home-and-away season and will now go up against the Sharks on Sunday for a spot in the Grand Final.
Airport West went into the first break up by seven points, and they managed to keep they lead until halftime.
The third quarter was a thriller, with the Demons managing to win the quarter and wrestle their way back in front, putting Airport West to the sword and setting up the last quarter to be one of the best.
Tullamarine came out in the final quarter only to kick the first goal and really make Airport West drop their heads.
However, the Eagles showed great resilience and kicked three unanswered goals to put themselves back in front by nine points, only to see Link Robinson kick a goal for the Demons to bring it back to three points.
Airport West managed to hold on, though, and grab the win in an absolute nail-biter.
Will Becker and Jordan Port kicked two goals each for the Demons and did all they could to try keep them in the game, while Marcus Smith did what he has all year and played a great game.
However, it was a team effort from the Eagles to get the win, with an honourable mention to Brandon Raad and Clayton Rogers, who were very impressive and Airport West’s best players.
The Sharks now await, and Geoff Maddern’s men will be feeling confident after beating them at Shark Park in Round 18.
