In an absolute thriller Central Augusta, searching for their first flag since ‘92, have clinched a place in the 2009 SGL Grand Final at the expense of last year’s premiers Port.
With only three minutes to go and with the Bloods up by seven points the Greens had three clear chances to kick the winning goal only for Johanson, Mayes and then Treloar to miss and register just three minor scores.
With under a minute left Ports worked their way forward and with Centrals, led by McKnight, Grantham, Callary and Quigley blocking, shepherding, jostling and tackling like men possessed the effect was a rugby-like rolling maul on the far side wing through half-forward.
Ports just could not get free and secure a victory that looked likely early in the final term when they led by three goals.
The final moments of the game were gut-wrenching for the Bloods diehards and the final siren could not come fast enough.
When it did relief quickly overtook elation as Centrals had made a Grand Final without having to play a Preliminary Final and had beaten the very side that defeated them in last year’s season decider by a solitary point.
he win was soured a little with the sending off of playmaker and enforcer Shannon Wilson and the injury to star full-back Aaron Harris.
For Port their tilt at a three-peat of titles is still alive but they will face Pirie rivals the Lions on Saturday at Memorial Oval.
Both sides would have learnt a little more about each other in this Second Semi-Final.
Coach Hayes will be concerned at the number of free-kicks conceded by his forwards as Port scored at least seven goals from frees inside their forward fifty.
He will also have to work out how to stop the elusive Johanson (four goals) and the influence of Simon Treloar (his screamer in the final term was priceless) who could easily have been best on ground had he converted some of his chances and if Port had won.
His pace, skill and know-how was almost the difference. Port could hold Blood livewire Dawson for three terms but he slotted three goals in the last stanza including a massive fifty-five metre bomb that lifted his team-mates. But it is how to capitalise on Burford’s dominance in ruck that would be Port mentor DePalma’s biggest challenge.
For the first term and a half Port dominated the clearances but the Bloods worked themselves back into it and with impossible goals deep in opposite pockets from Harvey then Reid, at half time led by 22 points after a six-goal second quarter.
Then in a clear demonstration of how helpful the breeze was Port slammed seven majors to wrest back the lead by 13 points going into the final stanza. The game was of a high standard in terms of intensity and competitiveness.
Both sides were guilty however of unforced skill and decision-making errors resulting in a high turnover count, both Coaches would be highlighting this during the week.
For Bloods Coach Ray Hayes a win is a win but his side was jumped a little (Port kicking the first four goals unanswered) and for big chunks of the game his charges could not get any system going but set the game up through sheer will-power and talent kicking ten of the next twelve goals to lead at the main break giving themselves a buffer for Port’s onslaught in the third term.
For Port Johanson is some talent, Luteria resolute in defence and Campbell Smith impressive.
The ex-Sacred Heart Old Collegians midfielder Joe Quigley in his first year with the Bloods was the most influential player on the park with Fuller and Callary exceptional doing the hard things when and where they were needed.
A week off is Centrals reward and a prickly meeting with the Lions awaits Port on Saturday. Centrals may have to consider replacements for Wilson and Harris and could come from utility Byron-Boles, tall Dyason Medallist Archibald or Tom Reynolds.
Final Score: Central Augusta 15.9.99 defeated Port 14.11.95.
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