YOU couldn't have expected much more from the Tatyoon team that demolished Hawkesdale/Macarthur in Saturday's Mininera and District Football League qualifying final at Caramut.
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The teams had only met once in season 2014 prior to the finals. On that occasion Hawkesdale/Macarthur was the 40-point winner.
That result wasn't replicated at the weekend with Tatyoon putting the past behind it to produce the type of form that could take the side all the way to that one day in September.
After an even first term in which both teams scored 3.2, the Hawks put their opponents to shame producing a seven goal to nil second quarter.
Tatyoon had 13 more scoring shots than Hawkesdale/Macarthur in the second quarter and headed into halftime with an unassailable 48-point lead.
Coach Jarrod Blandford said his team managed to brush off some first quarter nerves to perform at a level that was pleasing to see in the second term.
"Certainly the first quarter was tough finals football, there was probably a few nerves from both sides," he said.
"We had blokes who were keen to use the ball, but maybe were a bit over anxious when they got the football early.
"In the second quarter we started to play team football, shared the ball around and used it well inside-50."
The Southern Eagles welcomed the return of captain Adrian Bos on Saturday, but had to take to the field without wingman Simon Sharrock who suffered a finger injury in the final 10 minutes of their final round clash with Great Western.
Things only got worse for Hawkesdale/Macarthur in the third term, with failure to convert on two opportunities in front of goal costing the team dearly.
While the Hawks weren't exactly accurate themselves, another 6.7 quarter saw the margin blow out to 89 points by three quarter time.
An improved fourth quarter effort came all too late for Hawkesdale/Macarthur as Tatyoon kicked a further three goals to finish well in front 19.20 (134) to 4.8 (32).
"Any final you play, it is always good to come away with that kind of result," Blandford said.
Tatyoon had nine individual goal scorers on the day Mitch Cronin (4), Steven Butler (4), John Butler (3), Matthew Williams (2) and Damian Cameron (2) all multiple goal kickers.
Cronin's tally of four goals led to him being awarded best on ground for the Hawks.
"Even though Mitch kicked four goals himself, he was vital in setting up a lot of other goals," Blandford said.
"His delivery inside-50 was exceptional."
Arthur Armstrong, who has featured prominently among the team's top tier of players all season, again proved his worth.
"Arthur had a role across half back, he was involved in the set up of a lot of rebounds," Blandford said.
Damian Cameron was also commended for his ball use while Steven Butler, Kye Chapple and Blandford himself were also named among the Hawks' best.
Saturday's result sets up another much anticipated clash between Tatyoon and Moyston/Willaura in the second semi final to be played at Lake Bolac this Saturday.
“As I said to the boys, we can’t worry about who we are playing against, just worry about playing the football we want to play,” Blandford said.
Tatyoon also celebrated victory in the reserves, with its seconds defeating Lismore/Derrinallum by two goals in the qualifying final.
The joy wasn’t replicated in the under 16s where Lismore/Derrinallum turned the tables on Tatyoon to run out 31 point winners.
In Sunday’s senior elimination final at Hawkesdale, Penshurst put an end to Lismore/Derrinallum’s season with an 11-point victory.
It was a three goal first quarter that set the Bombers up for the win, the Demons too slow to start and managing just three points to quarter time.
Penshurst maintained the lead until the last term, when Lismore/Derrinallum had its chances, but kicked itself out of the match with 1.3.
The Bombers also had a lousy last quarter in front of goal, but after doing the hard yards early, that was enough to get them the 7.8 (50) to 5.9 (39) result.
Penshurst now face Hawkesdale/Macarthur in this Sunday’s first semi final to be played at Willaura.
Wickliffe/Lake Bolac’s reserves’ team kept its season alive with a 21-point win against SM&W Rovers in the elimination final.
Moyston/Willaura’s under 16s’ team also gained a ticket through to this weekend thanks to its 19 point win over Hawkesdale/Macarthur.