Storm miss grand final place

Great Southern Storm will play off for third and fourth position in tomorrow’s finals of the colts competition at the Landmark Country Football Championships after losing both their games at Bendigo Bank Stadium today.

After a win and a loss on the opening day of the championships the Storm went down to Regional Districts by 23 points before suffering a 36-point loss to the South West Football League in a replay of last year’s grand final.

The loss to Regional Districts made it almost impossible for Storm to qualify for back-to-back grand finals but they rallied to push South West for large parts of the final regular game.

The Storm booted the first three goals of the clash with South West through co-captain Corey Hitchcock, midfielder Cent Amores and Braden Retallack to open up a handy buffer over their rivals.

South West though hit back as they piled on the next five goals to take a 22-point lead into half time.

Two early goals in the last half stretched the margin to 42 points as another blowout appeared on the cards but the Storm dug deep with goals to Hamish McMorran, Jayden Scott and the silky smooth Cain Shaw giving their side some reward for effort.

Jaike Dale shone in defence, the pint-sized Jack Steel won plenty of the ball while Dion Parriman and McMorran were also strong contributors in the 6.2 (38) to 11.8 (74) loss.

Shaw continued his superb carnival and his goal in last was something special, taking a couple of bounces to run from the wing stroll inside 50 and add a classy finish on his left.

Earlier Regional Districts started brightly and never looked back with goals to Dylan McKay, Blake East and Mitchell Decampo giving their side a 23-point lead at half time after the Storm could only muster a point at the other end.

Desperate to get a win and turn their carnival around the Storm kicked the first goal of the second half through key forward McMorran but Regional Districts responded with the next three goals to put the result beyond doubt.

Blake East and Dylan McKay added a second goal to their tallies as Regional Districts finished comfortable winners, 7.7 (49) to 3.8 (26).

Kohen Lemin and one of the four Kimberley products, Parriman, kicked consecutive goals for the Storm late in the last half but it was not enough to prevent the result.

Amores won plenty of ball around the stoppages, McMorran continued to provide a great presence for his side up forward and in the ruck while Shaw again showed plenty of class and Dale battled hard in defence.

Storm now face Regional Districts in the third and fourth playoff at Bendigo Bank Stadium at 9.15am tomorrow.