KDL | Gallery | Eagles send Swans packing, Lancaster triumphs over Lakers

Avenel’s exit from the finals race has undoubtedly blown open the premiership market.

In blustery conditions at Avenel Recreation Reserve, the two outfits — who many thought would meet in the decider — threw everything at each other in a high-octane and captivating contest that was dominated by defensive prowess.

The Eagles’ back six laid the platform for the 8.15 (63) to 6.9 (45) triumph, with the likes of Jamie Spencer, Brandon Corish, Matt Rendina, Adam Serafini and co performing well against a dangerous Avenel forward line.

East’s star ruckman Tom McCluskey was influential across the ground and some of his final-quarter spoils, which may not catch the eye of most, were just as important as his ruck craft and intercept grabs.

Avenel’s tough on-baller Mitch Tobin was a class operator for the Swans, however, he didn’t receive enough support from his teammates.

Shepparton East playing coach Rob Osborne said it may not have been pretty, but he was glad his side was able to get over the line.

“Yeah exactly, you take that. Every final is going to be high intensity and that was a high intensity game,” he said.

“As you said, playing the best on their home deck, we knew they were going to bring it. It probably wasn’t our prettiest game that we’ve played, but we’ve just got to get away with the win and luckily that’s what happened.”

The game in the first half was a classic example of a genuine arm-wrestle.

Avenel owned the inside 50 count and its tackling intensity was set to be East’s undoing.

There was no tomorrow for the loser and that was highlighted with the suffocating pressure that dominated the first two quarters of play.

Both sides received a rev-up at the main break, but it was East that came out with a lit fuse.

East’s midfield brigade got on top in the first 15 minutes of the quarter and won the clearance count and inside 50 entries in what was a class display.

The Eagles booted a match-winning 4.7, which could have easily been a seven or eight-goal effort, in the third term to put the onus back on Avenel to try and win the contest in the last term.

A couple of goals to Avenel wasn’t enough in the last term, as Angus Sutherland slotted the sealer — and the only goal to the highway end in the second half.

“I reckon the first half we were a little bit flat. I just told (the boys) we just have to lift,” Osborne said.

“We came out in that third quarter and did a bit of damage. We’ve just got to get bit more accurate, we kicked 4.7 and could have put them away earlier if we kicked straight.

“Our backline stood up, the whole six of them stood up.

“They were under the pump from the first quarter through to the last quarter and they got the job done.”

Meanwhile, Lancaster has progressed through to its second preliminary final in three years after it saluted by 18 points over Nagambie on Sunday afternoon.

In what was an entertaining second semi-final, Lancaster survived a late scare at Central Park Reserve.

A dour first half was followed by a goal-fest, with 17 goals booted after the main break.

The Wombats, led by best-on talent Nick Ryan and Cameron Simpson, were at their damaging best.

In dry and pristine conditions, the Wombats displayed slick and frenetic ball movement to post six goals in the third term and at one stage led by more than nine goals.

Up by 44 points at the last break, Lancaster could be forgiven for thinking it was home and hosed.

However, a Lakers young gun had other ideas.

Jonno Moore (three goals) showcased why he is one of the most exciting up-and-comers in the region with a couple of goals and big grabs.

Nagambie got within 18 points of Lancaster, but ultimately ran out of time to pull off a miracle.

Lancaster now takes on Stanhope for a spot in the grand final on Saturday.