Katamatite will defend it’s PDFNL senior football title in this weekend’s grand final after beating Barooga on Sunday in the preliminary final.
The Picola and District League’s grand final picture is complete, with Katamatite and Waaia to once again contest the senior football decider following contrasting preliminary final victories.
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Waaia was the first side to punch its ticket, producing a suffocating defensive performance to end Katandra’s campaign with a 6.9 (45) to 2.7 (19) victory at Picola Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The Bombers established an early advantage, leading 1.3 (9) to 0.1 (1) at quarter-time, before Katandra responded to make it a one-point contest at the main break, 1.5 (11) to 1.4 (10).
But Waaia took control after half-time.
The Bombers kicked 2.1 to 1.1 during the third term to move seven points clear before completely shutting Katandra out in the fourth quarter.
Waaia piled on 3.3 while keeping the Kats scoreless, turning what had been a tight preliminary final into a convincing 26-point victory.
Charlie Burrows led the Bombers with three goals, Connor Brown kicked two and Dustin Blake added one, while Luke Turcato and Fletcher Paul were Katandra’s only goalkickers.
Waaia’s Anthony Bergamin, Dylan Cornick and Samuel Boyd were among its listed best players, while Turcato, Brady Black and Harrison Willaton featured among Katandra’s best.
Katamatite's Patrick Riordan gets his kick away.
Katamatite then booked the other grand final berth with a much more emphatic performance on Sunday, defeating Barooga by 52 points at Blighty Recreation Reserve.
The Tigers ran out 14.13 (97) to 6.9 (45) winners to bring Barooga’s season to an end and set up a premiership showdown with Waaia.
The victory was set up primarily off the back of a six-goal-to-two second term from the Tigers, who turned a 16-3 quarter time advantage into a 8.7 (55) to 2.4 (16) lead by the main break, with the Hawks unable to eat into the deficit at all in the second half.
Katamatite's Mitch Ward flies highest in the ruck during a best on ground performance.
Mitch Ward was named best afield for the Tigers, booting two goals, while Mitch Coleman’s game-high six majors also saw him among the more influential for Katamatite in the win.
Riley Gow’s four goals topped the Hawks’ tally, with Tanner Nyholm named Barooga’s best in the defeat.
Thomas Clurey spoils strongly.
It sets up a mouthwatering PDL senior football grand final between the Bombers and Tigers, with the pair to do battle for the second consecutive season when they meet at Mathoura on Saturday, September 12, with the grand final scheduled for 2.05pm.
While Barooga may have lost the senior football preliminary final at the weekend, their reserves sides did not, and will seek revenge for their clubmates when they meet Katamatite in the reserves football decider at 12:15pm at Mathoura.
The A-grade netball decider is also locked in for the same day, with Dookie United to face Deni Rovers.
Dookie secured its place with a thrilling 41-39 upset of minor premier Tungamah on Saturday.
Maddison Dyer was outstanding for the victors with 30 goals, while Chloe Elliott almost dragged Tungamah across the line with a superb 35-goal performance.
Meanwhile, Deni Rovers completed the grand final line-up by defeating Tocumwal 42-35 at Blighty on Sunday.
Abbey Wills led Deni’s scoring with 23 goals, while Ruby Cowley contributed 17 and Carissa Bulmer added two.
Rhiannan Maxwell carried much of Tocumwal’s attacking load with 32 goals, while Adrienne Jones scored two and Keeley Coates one.
It means Mathoura will host two intriguing senior premiership battles: Waaia against Katamatite in the football and Dookie United against Deni Rovers in A-grade netball.
