Boddington progress to UGSFL grand final after surviving late challenge from Katanning in preliminary final

Boddington have advanced to the Upper Great Southern Football League grand final after withstanding a late fightback from Katanning Wanderers to emerge as nine-point winners in the preliminary final on Sunday. The Tigers came close to completing a stunning comeback in Wickepin, kicking six goals in a frantic final term but they were left to rue a poor third quarter as they were knocked out of the finals series, going down 10.11 (71) to 11.14 (80). Despite finishing second on the ladder, the preliminary final result means the Tigers have bowed out of the finals series after suffering consecutive defeats. The Eagles kicked the first two goals of the contest while holding the Tigers scoreless to go into the first break 14 points ahead. The Tigers answered back in the second term with two majors but the Eagles fired home two of their own to keep the margin at 14 points at half-time. However, the Eagles produced a dominant third term, kicking five goals to two as they held a 34-point advantage over the stunned Tigers at the last change. The Tigers fought desperately to keep their grand final hopes alive in the last quarter, booting six majors to the Eagles’ two but they ran out of time. Jarrod Cameron was prolific for the winners and Harrison Ellis booted four goals and Charlie Kelsall added three for Boddington. The Eagles also had great contributions from Matthew White, Blake Reynolds and Jeremy Sierociak. A persistent Tigers outfit were best served by Liam Hansen (three goals), James Laurino and Reece Nicholson. Caleb Gill, Caleb Keley and Charlie Tonkin were also solid in a losing affair. The Eagles progress to this Sunday’s grand final, where they will face minor premiers Wickepin at Williams for a chance to win their first premiership since 2019. In the minor grades preliminary finals, Brookton-Pingelly were 24-point winners against Williams, the Tigers edged out Wagin by eight points in the thirds, and the Tigers defeated the Bulldogs by 26 points in the fourths.