Bunyip wins through to grand final

By Ken Moore
BUNYIP, the minor premiers, took the short route to the reserves grand final with a fighting nine-point win over Nar Nar Goon in the second semi-final on Saturday.
The game featured two contrasting halves.
The Goon made all the running in the first half and with goals by Paul Youle, Adam Simpkins and Tim Bastow, led by 19 points at half time, when Bunyip was goaless.
Allan McArthur was a brick wall in defence and was lent great support by Brad Cameron, who blanketed Bulldog veteran Des Young, while Phil Hicks offered plenty of drive off the half back line.
Jackson Fromhold pushed the ball forward many times and Ben Fenton was lively across the forward line. In the second half, the Goon tired and Bunyip started to team better and run in numbers and it slowly wore down the deficit.
Third quarter goals by Shannon Little and Jake Marolla reduced the margin to nine points at the last change. With the momentum, the Bulldogs continued to press and with goals by Jed Saik, Marc Jolley and Paul Carmody they finished the game strongly.
Brad Thomas, Chris Savage, Shane Smith and wingman Leigh Carmody played a big role in the second half revival and Damian Berryman offered resolute defence. The victory preserved Bunyip’s undefeated record.
NAR NAR GOON thirds won a grand final berth after a 27-point victory over Neerim Neerim South.
The Goon controlled the tempo of the game from the outset and never looked in any real trouble. Credit to the Cats, though, who fought the game out to peg back the difference in the last term, after the Goon led by 43 points at three quarter time.
Goon midfielder Joe Murphy was the driving force and showed he was a quality player in the making with a fine game. Along with Brendan Herman and Rob Kemmink, the trio helped the Goon get the better of the midfield duels. Half back Oxley Huson read play superbly, full back Jake Bould backed his judgment and Damon Hansen hauled in some good marks.
For Neerim, Chris Saunders found plenty of the ball, Jack Ward and Thomas Slate were prominent and flanker Harry Metcalfe bobbed up with many handy disposals.
NAR NAR GOON fourths are going to take a power of beating for the premiership after they accounted for Kooweerup by 39 points.
Goon ruckman Col Bastow played a top game, centre half forward Tyler Payroli presented well and Robbie Herman (three goals) was lively around the big sticks.
Tyson Hendrikx generated good drive off the half back line and midfielder Tim Wishart gathered many important touches. Luke Krastek, Andrew Proctor and Philip Backman provided the most resistance for the Demons.
KOOWEERUP will have at least one team feature on grand final day after its fifths beat Ellinbank by 19 points in the opener match of the day.
ON SUNDAY, Ellinbank reserves won a spot in the preliminary final after an easy 52-point victory over Buln Buln.
Banker veteran Kristian Bingham lined-up in the centre and was the catalyst behind many attacks. Nathan Van Steensel, Colin Smith and Alex Gaudion provided stout defence and Jack Grogan showed plenty from his wing position.
Pat Bloye (four goals) and Brad Glover (three) polished things off in front of the big sticks. Buln Buln could only muster the one goal, to Jesse Pearman in the first quarter.
From then on, things went downhill for the Lyrebirds, who spent too much energy chasing. Paul Pratt and Joel Backman worked overtime in defence, Matt Pearson was busy through the middle and Matt Pollard was among the better of the Lyrebirds forwards.
THE finals campaign for Buln Buln thirds ended after it went down to Garfield by 18 points.
The Lyrebirds rued missed opportunities in the first half, when they kicked only one goal from their first eight scoring shots.
Emerging Garfield stars Harry Cregan and Eddie Morris backed up on Sunday after playing in the seniors on Saturday, and were prime movers in and around the midfield. They had a strong ally in Alex Nooy, who gathered plenty of disposals.
Ryan Louch snagged three goals, Jeremy Macdonald was busy in defence in the first half and did well when moved into the middle in the second and Beau Scamporlino blocked off many attacks and set up much from behind the centre.
Trent Baker stimulated the Buln Buln midfield, James Davidson kicked two goals and Tom Edwards, Ashley Bridger and Doug Black gave their team good service.
BULN BULN did find success when its fourths accounted for Nyora by 17 points, while its fifths beat Garfield by 12 points.