Woodside triumpant
Now for the big one
The NGFNL grand final is poised to be a cracker with Woodside and TTU set to do battle for a second year in a row.
Woodside set up the mouth-watering final with a gutsy win over Yallourn Yallourn North last Saturday.
Some pundits might say that Yallourn Yallourn North were the better side for two and half quarters, but when the siren sounded it was the Woodside boys who were in front by three points and a place in the grand final.
It took some sixteen minutes into the first quarter before either side were able to hit the scoreboard, that was Yallourn Yallourn North with a minor score, they followed soon after with another attempt but again only a minor score before pushing forward again to bring up the first major of the game. Woodside hit back with a goal of their own only to see Yallourn Yallourn north score two quick goals and another right on the quarter time siren
Meanwhile Woodside were kept goalless.
QT YYN 4 5 29 Woodside 0 1 1
With the momentum, YYN was first to score in the second but again were inaccurate and this in accuracy was allowing Woodside to stay in the game. Woodside players through Collison and Morgan started to hit their targets down forward. Two goals in succession had the Woodside supporters cheering. With the game being played in Woodside forward 5, the Wildcats were able to score their fourth goal to be within nine points of the Jets.
The pressure is now on the Jets. They soaked it up, rounding out the quarter with the last four scoring shots of the quarter, but only two were majors
Half time YYN 6 8 44 Woodside 3 3 21
With a 23-point lead, the message from the Jets huddle was to contain the Wildcats and bring home the win for the supporters.
Woodside had other ideas, and focused on the prize they jumped out of the blocks with the first two goals of the quarter. Once again YYN replied but Woodside would not be shut down and slammed through another. Now just 11 points in arrears you sensed; Woodside had found their mojo. It was tough tight football. YYN had a chance to widen the gap once again and they thought they had only to have the goal umpire signal a point. Another goal to Woodside saw the margin reduced to four points with just minutes left in the third. YYN rallied once again but again they could not find the big sticks.
¾ time YYN 7 10 52 Woodside 7 5 47
The scene was set for a ripping last-quarter
Points were coming thick and fast for both sides. The turning point of the match came after A crude attempt at a spoil by YYN on Woodside’s McLeod, which left him dazed on the ground and players from both sides coming into remonstrate. O’Sullivan felt the full force of YYN’s Shellcot and after picking himself up off the turf lined up for Woodside's 8th goal which would give them the lead for the first time in the match. They scored again minutes later and the lead was now nine points. Woodside had two more opportunities to put the game out of the reach of YYN but could not convert.
Not to be denied YYN rallied and reduced the margin to five points. For the next five minutes, they controlled the play but could not convert their opportunities kicking two points when they needed goals.
Woodside had held by just three points and had the opportunity to avenge their 2023 grand final loss.
Jai William took top honours for the Woodside team, kicking three vital goals while Lucas Fry was named best for YYN and was possibly the best on the ground.
This game was a bruising affair, with one YYN player appearing to be placed on report following the fiery incident in the final quarter.
Reportedly Woodside have a number of players ready to return to the senior side including Lee Stockdale, Liam Hard and Josh Hick and Rowan Missen (who was a late withdrawal on Saturday) But who will they leave out if these players come back in. All 22 who guts it out on Saturday deserve their place in the grand final side. Who would be a coach!!
