By Marcus Uhe
Wandin emphatically stamped its ticket in the Outer East Football Netball League Premier Division grand final on Saturday thanks to a menacing 93-point thrashing of Woori Yallock at Yarra Junction.
11 goals to two in the Bulldogs’ favour after half time saw the margin grow from 39 at the half to the eventual 93 at the finish, the Bulldogs kicking 23.21 159 to the Tigers’ 9.12 66, with Woori Yallock held goalless in the final term.
Only poor kicking spared the Tigers early in the contest as Wandin’s pack of midfielders flexed their muscle in the middle.
Connor Smith made a seamless return to the side after missing last week’s semi-final with VFL commitments, his speed and ball use coming to the fore in the early stages.
But Woori Yallock were up for fight early, going goal-for-goal for much of the opening quarter led by star midfielder Kody Busoli.
But the longer the quarter played, Wandin’s class came to the fore.
Goals to Joel Garner and Jordan Jaworski late in the term proved telling as a sign of things to come, but 5.9 to 4.1 at quarter time meant the Tigers were still in the contest.
Three goals in the opening five minutes of the second term saw the margin quickly grow to 33, Pat Bruzzese’s waltz from the middle and bomb from inside the centre square a clear highlight.
The Tigers kept fighting but struggled to score when inside 50, Wandin’s backs covering all potential scoring routes.
They managed to kick three late in the quarter, one due to an interchange infringement, cutting the lead to 27, but quick replies from Aaron Mullett under duress and Tom Hinds after the siren meant the Bulldogs had wrestled-back any momentum.
The Tigers kicked the first of the third term through Josh Neal, firing as many remaining bullets in their clip before soon running out of steam.
The Bulldogs were at their brutal best, however, with another five goals in the term to their rivals’ only two, growing the margin to 59 at the final break.
In the battle between Woori Yallock’s system and Wandin’s stars, stars shone bright on every line.
Slick ball movement saw them move the Sherrin with ease across the ground, piling on the pain with every major.
The final seven goals of the contest ensured Wandin’s third-highest team score of the season, extracting revenge for the corresponding game in 2022 and priming them for a grand final tussle against Narre Warren next week.
11 individual goalkickers, led by Joel Garner’s five, Mullett’s four and Tom Merlino’s three, saw the Bulldogs share the scoring load, while John Ladner and Todd Garner were resolute in defence.
Neal finished with three for the Tigers, Jordan Williams and Bailey Syswerda, tasked with manning Mullett, recognised for their contributions in yellow and black.
Having come so close just two weeks ago to getting the better of the Magpies, Wandin will like its chances of winning its first premiership flag since 2018.
With Smith and Garner relieved of VFL duties and Mullett having regained fitness following a severe hamstring injury, Nick Adam has as close to a full squad to pick from as he’s had all year.
Narre Warren won two of the three meetings between the sides this year and will be fresher having not played in Saturday’s heat, but all signs suggest a belter of a contest on Saturday afternoon.
The first bounce at Officer Recreation Reserve will take place at 2.20pm, with the Premier Division netball decider between the same two combatants beginning at 12.10pm.
