24/8 - 3rd Foster v 6th MDU Saturday @ Toora
Elimination Semi Final A
The Tigers were just a "blink" away from finishing top two, having this weekend off and competing in week two of the finals for direct entry into a grand final, however, Foster prepared as well as they could have to play the cards they were dealt, coming up against a aside they beaten just seven days prior, but on this occasion there would be no second chance for either them of their opponents in MDU.
On a perfectly presented Toora oval, it was the Tigers who pounced early with a nine point quarter time lead, quickly extending to twenty three at the main break.
The Demons kept in touch going into the final quarter, their season on the line, they fought with all they had,only to go down by a couple of kicks.
Foster 10-10-70 defeated MDU 9-4-58.
The Tigers were deserving twelve point winners, their season to take another step forward when they take their place in next weekend's semi final.
Sam Davies, Foster coach "Really tough battle again all day - MDU have some elite mids that run and use the footy really well. They copped a few injuries early so to be able to battle it out all day is a credit to them. Our processes really stood up and we will take a lot out of today going forward. We will get the recovery in and be ready for the next challenge at Yinnar.
Foster's best included Dylan Williams, Jack Rathjen, Jake Thornell, Todd Bastion and James Morris, the handful of players instrumental in the Tigers getting the upper hand despite the best efforts of MDU's Steve Forrester, Tim Harris, Jarrod Hoy, Thomas Corry and Jess Hickey.
The Demons did everything they could and showed the same honesty at every contest as they have done all year, and despite their best efforts the disappointment of bowing out at the first hurdle hit hard.
Nathan Allen, MDU coach "Tough loss, the boys gave it there all and just fell short. A couple of injuries early, putting us down to one rotation hurt us in the long run. Foster were really well drilled. Made it very hard for us to move the footy all day and were very strong at the contest. Good luck to all teams still in the hunt!
The Demons have a good leader at the helm in Allen, and only need to keep what they have and add just a touch more talent to deepen their depth whilst
Foster have now moved a step closer to their ultimate goal of a grand final appearance, but there remains some even bigger challenges ahead.
25/8 - 4th Morwell East v 5th Newborough Sunday & Hill End
Elimination Semi Final B
Pre game, you would have needed to have been a courageous man to confidently predict who would be winning this most intriguing encounter between Morwell East and Newborough, it was just a fortnight ago that the Bulldogs proved the superior side, their victory by just a solitary point, had the MGFNL footballing community as excited as it could be about what would be on offer in this "do or die" semi final clash, but no one expected for lightning to strike twice!!
Newborough succeeded once again by a solitary point, this time however, the score coming after the final siren.
Newborough 8-11-59 def Morwell East 7-16-58.
There was never a chance that the Bulldogs were going to win, but yet they did, in what was perhaps one of the more courageous displays of the 2024 season.
Bulldogs coach, Craig Skinner “I’ve been watching Vikings so I feel when you win by one point you have the footy gods on your side. To win like we did on the weekend has made us dangerous, because we now believe we are good enough. To have a shot on goal after the siren and have our seventeen year old Maxy Edebohls take the kick is every footballer's dream. Looking forward to playing Foster away from their home on a big neutral ground."
Credit where credit is due, somehow the Bulldogs snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, but it should also be noted that bad kicking is bad football, and there is no doubt there will be reflection of all of the opportunities that Morwell East had that were not taken, and that is the heartbreaking reality.
Paul Henry, Hawks coach “Gusty conditions at Hill End, the accurate kicking for both sides was into the wind. Newborough kicked them straighter than us. Pinched the lead late but just couldn't hang on. Heart breaking one point loss from a kick in the siren."
There still remains a couple of significant mountains to climb for Newborough who continue their quest for a third straight Grand Final appearance in a row, but as coach Skinner has highlighted his playing group believe that they are deserving and that is a mighty step forward.
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