OLD Scotch have given themselves the chance to win four consecutive division 2 grand finals after pulling Uni Mowbray apart by 66 points in Saturday’s preliminary final at Invermay Park.
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The Thistles were in no mood for mercy, piling on 45 points to the Eagles’ solitary behind in the opening quarter.
Michael Murfett kicked three first-term majors with Shaun Smith also chipping in with a couple to send a strong message to Lilydale ahead of next week’s finale at Windsor Park.
The pain for Uni did not stop there with Old Scotch’s fast ball movement, contested dominance and cleaner possession making play hard to watch for Eagles fans.
Scotch had a plethora of forward 50 entries and had 11 goals before Brendan Klok finally put one through for the flightless Eagles about halfway through the second stanza to reduce the margin to 63 points with two quarters to play. Josh Mathews kicked three for the Thistles with Smith and Murfett also adding to their tallies.
The game’s paced died down in the third term with just three goals converted, however, Uni vice-captain Shannon Mulvey got a little too heated and was sent off the ground for his undisciplined behaviour.
Glenn Dawson kicked Uni’s second six-pointer on the cusp of the final change – settling the score at 90-16.
Uni Mowbray won the final term with Tom Hartley, Adam Viney and Mulvey sending consolation goals through – losing 15.15 (105) to 5.9 (39)
Overall, Josh Frankcombe and Jonty Swallow were magnificent off half-back, Joe Boyce and Dan Ellis controlled the midfield while Smith, Murfett and Matthews all finished with four goals apiece.
“It was probably the best football we have played in eight weeks and we knew that we had to bring it,” Scotch coach Kim Curtis said post match.
“We played one quarter of good footy against Lilydale last week and we are more than confident playing them.
“We will hit them hard.”
Uni coach Nathan Lowe said is was a “disappointing” way for the Eagles to end their campaign.
He said his players were not in the game mentally from the start.
“It is hard to fathom how you can have a 30 goal turnaround from one week to the other,” Lowe said.
“To Scotch’s credit they came out to play today and right from the first bounce we just didn’t meet their pressure at all. I think we lost in every position across the ground.” Grant Hogarth, Corey Bosworth and Jarrod Frankcombe were Uni’s most serviceable.
Corey Martin
Having started at The Examiner as a cadet in 2009, I have held various positions telling the stories of Northern Tasmanians in sport and news. I was appointed deputy editor in 2019 and became editor in September 2021.
Having started at The Examiner as a cadet in 2009, I have held various positions telling the stories of Northern Tasmanians in sport and news. I was appointed deputy editor in 2019 and became editor in September 2021.
