Gnowangerup first team into OFA grand final while Newdegate’s big finish eliminates Boxwood Hill

An inspired final quarter helped Newdegate progress to a preliminary final, beating Boxwood Hill by 13 points in a tense first semi-final in Gnowangerup on Sunday. It was a close weekend of action in the first week of league finals in the Ongerup Football Association, Gnowangerup booking their place in the grand final and the Lions keeping their season alive. The Lions trailed by nine points at quarter-time of the elimination final but hit back with five majors in the next term to head into the second half up by nine points. Boxwood fought back strongly in the third as they piled on five goals and took a 10-point advantage into three-quarter-time. However, the Lions were not done with and dominated the fourth term to snatch a famous finals victory. Led by talented duo Arron Russell and Nelson Kent, the Lions kicked four goals and held Boxwood to one as they progressed to the preliminary final. The Lions had plenty of chances and kicked 4.6 in the fourth but it was enough to knock Boxwood out of the premiership race. Russell starred in the front half with five majors and he was well supported by Kent and Chris Wollaston, who both added three goals. Youngster Tristan Ballard was a key part of the 13.13 (91) to 12.6 (78) win and David Newman also played well for the Lions. Boxwood had strong contributions from Nic Bertola, Bradley Joyce (two goals) and Hayden Richter, while Jack Davis was their main avenue to goal with three. In Saturday’s second semifinal at Jerramungup, the Bulldogs qualified straight through to the grand final in their quest for a third consecutive premiership. The Bulldogs booted five goals in the third that was the catalyst for their 21-point win over Lake Grace-Pingrup, but they had to withstand a big challenge in the final term. The Bombers trailed by 39 points at three-quarter-time but rallied to kick a number of early goals in the fourth. Despite kicking six goals to three and winning the final term, the Bombers went down 12.8 (80) to 9.5 (59) . Key position players Ben Hankinson, Campbell Floyd and Lewis Davis had a big impact on the result for the Bulldogs, who reached a third straight grand final. Davis kicked four goals while Floyd and Hankinson also had lots of influence and they were well supported by Ethan Caldwell and Damien Stewart (three goals). Corey Ward was outstanding for the Bombers in a losing affair, while Sam Bertola and Reuben Smith were also impressive. Jack Carruthers kicked three goals and the Bombers’ other multiple goal kickers were Jackson Callope and Mitch Morton. The Bombers will now face the Lions in this Saturday’s preliminary final at Newdegate.