12 in a row for red-hot Bears, Falcons kick away from Cats!

By Josh Ward.

Finals kicked off in the Division 3 senior men’s competition last weekend, with some intriguing finals taking place at Wally Tew Reserve.

Both games had similar earmarks, with The Basin and Knox respectively running over their respective foes in the second half to secure vital wins.

In the Saturday Qualifying Final, the Bears faced Upper Ferntree Gully for the second consecutive year in finals, this time with a chance to meet Donvale on the line.

After an even first half in which the Kings held the lead for the majority of it, the Bears ran rampant in the second half, kicking six goals to two behinds to secure a 35-point victory.

Connor Edwards starred in the victory with an excellent offensive performance, kicking four goals and accumulating an equal team-high six score involvements.

Ruck duo Aiden Butler and Ethan Power also dominated, acquiring 67 hitouts between them whilst Power also had 21 disposals, 11 contested possessions and six score involvements.

Nic Hallo, Lachlan Kruger and Mitch Brown all benefited from the ruck dominance, with all three combining for 54 disposals, 30 contested possessions and 10 clearances.

They now have a chance to book their Grand Final ticket against a Donvale side who they knocked off in their most recent encounter at Batterham Reserve.

For the Kings skipper Rory Bailey led from the front in defence, collecting 24 disposals, 21 of those kicks, as well as an equal game-high nine rebound 50s.

Jordan Nuku was also strong defensively, acquiring 19 disposals, 11 one percenters, nine rebound 50s, four intercept marks and a game-high 13 intercept possessions.

Zack Charles also provided some run out of defence, finishing the game with 23 disposals and five rebound 50s. Jay Robertson starred in attack with two goals from 11 disposals as well as five marks, including an absolute speccy in the second term.

Kris Fletcher’s side now face a date with Knox this Sunday after the Falcons comfortably knocked off Silvan yesterday afternoon in their Elimination Final.

They too had a dominant second half, kicking seven goals to three whilst also kicking nine behinds in that period, seven of those behinds coming in the third term.

Co-Captain Harrison Greaves dominated in attack for the Falcons, clunking mark after mark and finishing the game with four goals, which could’ve been more.

Young gun Noah Iliadis also excelled in midfield, accumulating disposals and often creating opportunities in attack with his run and dash.

Fellow skipper Tom Weir was also solid defensively whilst Sam Goyne and Aaron Taylor were lively in attack, both finishing the day with two goals apiece.

Their opponents in Silvan weren’t short of contributors in what turned out to be their final game of a very positive season.

Captain Matteo D’Alfonso put his heart and soul into the game as he always does, brushing off an early Joseph Murphy tag to once again star in midfield.

Matthew Low also had another excellent game in attacking, finishing the game with four goals, including one of the goals of the year in the second term, whilst also clunking plenty of marks.

James Charge tried his heart out in ruck alongside forward Jake Styles, with Styles finishing his season with two goals.

Michael Fowkes’ men are now the first side eliminated from finals, with the final four to duke it out next weekend in semi-final action at Wally Tew Reserve.