MDFL - Tatyoon has sent a warning to its Mininera and District Football League finals rivals after it sent Hawkesdale/Macarthur packing from the 2013 finals series with an 85-point victory.
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The Hawks kicked into the wind in the first quarter, but nothing separated the two teams at the first siren, both 3.3 apiece.
Coach Jarrod Blandford said his backline did particularly well to hold off an Eagles' onslaught.
"I think our backline really stood tall, when the ball was coming into our back half repetitively the likes of Tim Barr and Andrew McDougall defended really well," he said.
Blandford said he wasn't overall happy with the first quarter performance but the team lifted in the second term.
"We started to use the football a bit better in that second quarter, whereas in the first term we had a fair portion of the ball, but turned it over," he said.
"I think maybe some of the early nerves had gone so the boys were able to execute their skills a lot better."
The Hawks took a 15-point lead into the main break before taking the game on in the third and stretching their lead to five goals.
Blandford said the team's last quarter where they blew Hawkesdale/Macarthur off the park with 12 goals to two was great to see and signalled they were in form.
"It was good to see the boys keep it up, not just put the cue in the rack," he said.
"When we got six goals up we could have been very happy to just let it go but to everyone's credit they kept at it and we really banged on the goals in the last quarter."
Andrew Maconachie was named best on ground following another solid performance.
"Andrew Maconachie's run and carry on the wing and his ball use all day was again outstanding," Blandford said.
"Sean McDougall's ability to win the ball in the centre and Tyler Cronin with eight goals made them stand outs."
Julian Sambell, Barr and Mitch Cronin were also named in the best but Blandford said every player did their bit and made an impact.
"It was a very good four quarter team effort, something we knew that it was going to take to get the win going into the match," he said.
The only concern for the prevailing Hawks was a suspected strained neck to Anthony Brady who was stretchered from the ground in the opening minutes of the second quarter.
Daniel Dalton also suffered an ankle injury, but Blandford is hopeful both will be back for this weekend's all important semi final against Glenthompson/Dunkeld.
In the qualifying final Moyston/Willaura secured a spot in the second semi final with a big 66-point win over Glenthompson/Dunkeld.
The Pumas were dealt an early blow as Jackson Seres fell to a shoulder injury in the opening minutes. The injury will see him miss the rest of the season.
The loss didn't deter the team as they kicked away to a 27-point lead at quarter time.
Pumas' coach Daniel Guinane said they were challenged throughout the match but responded well at all times.
"We just went into the match the way we have been doing for the last three or four weeks, but at the same time the boys realise footy is a lot more intense during the finals than in the home and away season," he said.
Guinane said each quarter had a similar pattern with the first half even, before his side made the most of their opportunities and overran the Rams in the second half.
"At times they took the foot off and things didn't go their way, so we capitalised on the opportunities and took advantage," he said.
Despite being eight goals off their opponents going into the third term, the Rams took up the challenge in the second half but the Pumas replied.
"We lifted the intensity and pressure because there were players in the Glen side including (Michael) Uebergang that were using the footy well that we had to make sure we held," Blandford said.
It was tough at times but the Pumas used their run around the footy to maintain a healthy lead and finish 11 goals in front.
Guinane said the back six were sensational all day including Josh Day and Rhys Cronin who were awarded best on ground honours.
He said Aaron McKinnis who again bagged multiple goals, seven this week, was a stand out at centre half forward.
Phillips Brady, Luke Thomas and Trent Fiscalini also earned a guernsey among the best for their performances.
The Pumas now look ahead to this week's second semi final clash with Wickliffe/Lake Bolac full of confidence, knowing they were the only side to knock of the competitions top team all year.
Great Western's reserve team had a 19 point win in its qualifying final against Penshurst.
The Lions were on song from the outset with six first quarter goals and took a 30 point lead in to the quarter time break.
Penshurst steadied the margin in the second term and by the final change there was less than two goals between the sides.
Jacob Seeary who worked hard all day was named best on ground for a Lions outfit that was able to better their opponents in the final term.
Tim Shalders kicked six goals for the winners while Craig Cooper, Clinton Slorach, Steven Lodge, Lachie Kilpatrick and Tim Shalders were also named among the best.
The Lions are going from strength to strength in 2013, after a 2012 season that saw them finish without a win.
Moyston/Willaura was also represented in the Under 16 elimination final against Hawkesdale/Macarthur.
The young Pumas didn't share in a victory but battled their way through the four quarters to go down by 31 points.
Harrison Cronin who was among the best kicked three goals to be the only multiple goal scorer for the Pumas while Josh Byron was named best on ground.
Nathan Orszaczki, Ryan Townsend, Shane Gannon and Ford Guthrie were also recognised for their performances on the day.
Second semi final (August 31) at Mininera: Wickliffe/Lake Bolac v Moyston/Willaura
First semi final (September 1) at Lake Bolac: Glenthompson/Dunkeld v Tatyoon