In an ominous sign for the rest of the league, however, Katandra continued its perfect campaign continued after it dismantled Barooga by 74 points at Katunga Recreation Reserve.
The Kats entered the finals having swept through the home-and-away season with 16 consecutive victories and showed no signs of slowing down, prevailing 18.8 (116) to 6.6 (42).
Saturday’s qualifying final also brought together the competition’s two most prolific goalkickers.
Barooga spearhead Riley Gow entered the contest with a league-leading 94 goals for the season, while Katandra frontman Joshua Kezerle had booted 76.
It was the latter who won the battle of wits on the day, producing a six-goal haul to lead the Kats into the next stage of the finals.
Gow was still Barooga’s leading contributor with three majors, but the Hawks could not generate enough opportunities to keep pace with Katandra’s array of attacking options.
The Kats immediately took control of the contest, booting 5.3 to 0.2 in the opening quarter to establish a 31-point advantage.
Barooga provided greater resistance during the second term, holding Katandra to three goals while adding two of its own, but the unbeaten minor premier still carried a commanding 54-14 lead into half-time.
The Hawks enjoyed their best period after the main break, outscoring the Kats by one point during the third quarter to reduce the deficit to 38.
However, any hope of a late comeback was emphatically extinguished as Katandra saved its most destructive football for the final term.
The Kats piled on 7.1 while restricting Barooga to 1.1, turning an already comfortable lead into another overwhelming victory, booking their spot in a preliminary final.
Kezerle spearheaded the scoring with six goals, while Bailey Bell and Fletcher Paul kicked three apiece.
Gow’s three goals led Barooga’s attack, with Sam Poole adding two and Dylan Brooks kicking one.
The Hawks’ brilliant first campaign back in the PDL isn’t over yet, though, having secured a double chance after finishing fourth, and will take on Strathmerton this Saturday at Berrigan Recreation Reserve for a spot in a preliminary final.
Reigning premier Katamatite also booked its place in the preliminary final after surviving a thrilling three-point contest against Waaia at Strathmerton.
The Bombers led by eight points at quarter-time, but Katamatite turned the match around with a four-goal second term to take a 5.4 (34) to 3.8 (26) advantage into the main break.
The Tigers remained seven points clear at the final change before holding off a determined Waaia fightback, prevailing 12.7 (79) to 10.16 (76).
While Katamatite has earned the week off, the Bombers will now face Berrigan at Katandra Recreation Reserve this Sunday, hoping to continue their season for at least another week.
In the PDL A-grade netball qualifying finals, Tungamah edged out Katandra in a thriller, securing a 50-47 victory at Katunga Recreation Reserve.
Deni Rovers also progressed after overcoming Dookie United 25-19 at Strathmerton Recreation Reserve.
