Trevor Jackson
A Grade: Kalangadoo d 12.14 (86) Port MacDonnell 9.7 (61)
KALANGADOO A Grade footballers earned a Mid South East football grand final berth after a solid victory over Port MacDonnell on Saturday.
The Magpies did it the hard way after finishing as minor premiers with just one loss to their name throughout the season.
Finals came and that changed, as Hatherleigh easily accounted for the Magpies in the second semi-finals the previous week.
With their season on the line, the Magpies faced the Demons at Kalangadoo oval without the services of gun forward Michael Krieger.
That opened a door for the Demons, who had struggled to contain the young goal kicker in previous encounters during the minor rounds.
However, the Magpies approached the game with confidence they could fill that void and in the end it worked a treat.
But from the first bounce all did not look the best for the home side.
Kicking with a stiff breeze, Port MacDonnell managed to bang on a couple of major scores while holding Kalangadoo to just two behinds.
However, the Demons did not take full advantage, as was shown in the second term when the Magpies took control.
Justin Bromley provided a strong target up forward for Kalangadoo and opened proceedings in the second quarter but the Demons soon responded.
The game became an arm wrestle, with the Magpies off target with minor scores.
However, towards the end of the term Kalangadoo began to hit some targets and opened the game up with four late goals.
By the long break the 13-point deficit had been transformed to a 28-point lead and from there the Demons struggled to keep pace.
Even with the wind in the third term Port MacDonnell could not do any damage, with just two goals and a behind, while the Magpies put on a further 3.1.
While Kalangadoo held a strong 34-point advantage at the final break, the Demons were not done and outscored the home side but it was too little, too late and the Magpies celebrated with another chance at a premiership flag booked.
Bromley and Ben Gregory did the damage in front of goals, with three each, while Connor Gentile added two.
James Pratt was in fine form early in the game, with some timely intercept marks to deny the Demons shots on goal, which turned the game.
For Port MacDonnell, Brandon Newton kicked three goals, while Alex Ridding added two.
Kalangadoo coach Kevin Stark said it was pleasing effort from his players to respond after the Demons were off to a strong start.
He said the wind began to play its part, which required extra effort regardless of which way the magpies were kicking.
“It was probably a bit stronger wind than I thought earlier in the day,” he said.
“By the time we got out there it really came into play.
“You just had to cash in as much as you could when you had the wind and try to limit the damage when you didn’t.”
However, Stark said it was not the wind which hampered the Magpies efforts in the opening term, but more the pressure of the day and how the Demons were playing.
He said from there his side began to settle and use the ball better.
“It was high-pressure finals footy, so there were a few nerves,” Stark said.
“It took us a bit of time to get into our rhythm but in the second quarter I thought we got going a bit better.
“We made better decisions with the footy and were a lot smarter and cleaner with our ball use.”
Stark acknowledged Pratt’s performance, not just in the second quarter but across the day.
But he said the turn-around in form was due to more than just one player.
“He had a very good day,” Stark said.
“With the Bay having Tim (Sullivan) and Will (MacDonald), at all times they were going to have one of those down forward.
“Whoever was down there, and it turned out to be him for the majority of the day, was going to have a big task to stop that resting ruckman.
“I thought he did a good job but I also thought our mids did a good job of not allowing easy ball movement in.
“They made sure there was pressure on the ball carrier and did not allow clean movement inside 50, so it was a good effort across a lot of people.”
Even with the game all-but sewn up at the final break, Stark said there was no time to rest, with the Demons simply too strong a side to give any space.
“It didn’t feel like a big lead and it wasn’t relaxing,” he said.
“They are well coached and have a lot of good players, the sort of blokes who won’t roll over.
“We knew they would keep coming and we had to stay switched on.
“I was very happy to hear the siren go.”
Stark said his side discussed a plan to cover the hole left by Krieger up forward. He said he was pleased to see a spread of goal kickers and paid tribute to one particular Colt who lined up in the roster – and for a couple of classy goals.
“Connor (Gentile) had a good game for a colt,” he said.
“His composure for a kid his age was phenomenal.
“His second goal was from a big contested mark inside 50.
“He went back and slotted it.
“There would be plenty of blokes who have played a lot more footy who would be nervous doing that, so he did a great job.”
For now Stark said his side is excited to have another crack at Hatherleigh, after losing to the Eagles in the second semi-final.
