The Blue Boys of Seville faced the Lime Greens of Gembrook at Mac Sparkes Oval in Warburton with a Grand Final spot at stake, in the second Semi-Final.
A large crowd was in attendance hoping the weather would hold off, a few raindrops arrived but it didn’t stop their enthusiasm.
Seville was kicking to the left of screen and had a goal on the board in the first few minutes thanks to a snap by The Tip Rat Dylan Broadway.
The Lime Greens seemed to have more of the play but with both teams having 15 inside 50s each and Gembrook’s inaccurate kicking by registering 1-6 for the term saw the Blue Boys head into quarter time with a 7-point lead.
Seville 3-1-19
Gembrook 1-6-12.
Gembrook had their first goal of the second quarter when Michael Spud Firrito goaled, which was then followed by another by Miles Wereham saw the Lime Greens start to flex their muscles.
Seville was breaking even in general play but just couldn’t hit the scoreboard.
Deng Nai dominated the ruck whilst Weightman, Strachan and Buster Shore were getting plenty of the pill around the ground.
With the Lime Greens snagging 5 for the quarter the Blues could only manage 1, Gembrook headed into the long break with a 16-point lead.
Seville 4-2-26
Gembrook 6-6-42
The third quarter was a classic having the crowd in attendance on the edge of their seats.
The Tip Rat Dylan Broadway had one on the board in the first 30 seconds, this followed by a quick reply from Gembrook to steady the ship.
Then Seville hit the scoreboard with goals from Mick Condello, Jackson Lowe, Roberto Petracca and Dylishous Broadway with his second for the term.
Seville’s back 6 were well on top at this stage.
The Sciortino brothers doing their business, Jack “Panda” Nolan dominant in the air while the “Big Ryno” Ryan Farrow was playing his role to a tee.
The Lime Greens had plenty of free ball themselves earning 13 free kicks for the quarter.
A 6-goal to 4 quarter by Seville saw them head into the orange break 5 points in arrears.
Seville 10-3-63
Gembrook 10-8-68
Seville had their work cut out having to work hard and push into the wind to remain in the contest.
A period of 6 or 7 minutes of solid finals footy saw Seville turn the game on its head.
Playing some of their best footy of the year, goals to Chris “Critta” Niclasen followed by majors to Petracca and Strachany saw the Blues take the game by the scruff of the neck.
In a quarter that seemed to go for an hour ( Philthy Phil Muscara’s stopwatch on a go slow) Seville had busted the game open kicking 3-9 for the quarter and keeping the Lime Greens to 1 solitary point.
Seville will go through to the Grand Final on Friday 23 September at the Yarra Glen Showgrounds.
