On the same day his former club Burnie marked its return to the NWFL by collecting this year’s premiership, Brody Mihocek’s hopes of an AFL equivalient remained alive at the MCG.
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Mihocek, the Cooee lad who was part of the Dockers’ 2012 State League triumph, is now just one win away from what would be a fairytale grand final appearance after Collingwood disposed of Greater Western Sydney in Saturday’s semi-final.
The 25-year-old rookie draft selection had limited scoreboard impact, but his one moment in the third was memorable with an impressive banana goal.
Mihocek finished with 1.1 from nine touches, three marks, two tackles, two inside 50s, one rebound 50 and five score involvements after starting with former Magpie Lachie Keeffe as his opponent.
His semi-final efforts took his season goal-kicking tally to 26.16 from 14 games after being recruited from Port Melbourne.
In more evidence of his rapid rise in the game, Mihocek will be playing in an AFL preliminary final just under 12 months after featuring in the Borough’s VFL flag.
Teammate Jeremy Howe, of Dodges Ferry, was a rock in defence for the Pies, one of the main reasons why the Giants struggled up front.
Howe finished with 23 disposals, four marks (including a trade-mark high-flying grab), five rebound 50s, three inside 50s and three score involvement.
Collingwood’s win also ensured there will be a Tasmanian presence in Saturday week’s grand final, with the Pies needing to get past a Richmond side including Jack Riewoldt and Toby Nankervis if it is to progress.
There will also be a strong Tasmanian aspect to the VFL Grand Final, with the Jade Rawlings coached Casey Demons to contest Sunday’s big dance against Box Hill.
The Devonport product’s side defeated an Essendon team in Saturday’s preliminary which featured Clarence’s Josh Green playing his last game in the red and black.
Casey’s side in Sunday’s grand final is set to feature former Northern Bomber Jay Lockhart, with Kieran Lovell, who was recruited from TSL club the Tigers, in the Box Hill side.
With Hawthorn’s season ending on Friday night in its semi-final against Melbourne, Devonport’s Grant Birchall did not feature for Box Hill, which would have been his first competitive outing in 441 days.
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson on Friday said Birchall would be fit for a full pre-season after playing just five games in the past two years after a broken jaw and PCL surgery.
"We've sadly missed him. Some in the competition, especially opposition sides and coaches, fully understand and appreciate the value of him off our half-back line," he said.