They may have made life hard for themselves, but OLD LAUNCESTONIANS secured a finals berth with a nail-biting two-point win over Bridport.
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Jumping out of the blocks with the first three majors of the game, the Blues looked like they were going to be too quick for the Seagulls but Adam Howlett's men shored up and evened the game up at quarter-time.
The contest swung back-and-forth all day as the crowd battled freezing winds but with the ball in Alistair Taylor's hands at the right moment, the Blues found themselves 9.19 (73) to 10.11 (71) winners as Toby Omenihu and Campbell Fraser (two goals) shone.
Losing Andy Barron to concussion in the dying stages of the first quarter, the Seagulls' upper-class talent stepped up in his absence as Mo Makitae, Nat Barnett, Aaron Dusautoy and Scott Fenton (three goals) looked dangerous all game.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
The Blues weren't without injury concerns of their own however as Matthew Spohn limped off in the final ten minutes, sending a scare through the Blues camp for next week's elimination final.
The Blues will be facing EVANDALE, who caused a minor upset themselves in knocking off reigning premiers East Coast in a 9.14 (68) to 6.12 (48) win.
James Conroy kicked three and coach James Storay two in the win for the Eagles, as the underdogs got on top to lead 45-12 at half-time.
A five-goal Swans third-quarter pegged the margin back to four goals at the final break but it proved to be too much as Nick Child finished the day as his side's only multiple goal-kicker.
Billy Jack, Jackson Davey and Kieran Carlton all impressed for the Eagles as regular performers Will Stoltenberg, Michael Musicka and Pearce Robinson stood up for East Coast.
East Coast's opponent next week, ST PATS, kept their momentum rolling on towards the first week of finals, piling on the goals in an 18.15 (123) to 8.7 (55) win over Perth.
Jacob Knight (six), Alex Russell and Bradley Pearton (both three) all feasted in the goal-kicking spoils for the Saints as heightened pair Phil Hazzlewood and Jake Kilby impressed around the ground.
Magpies coach and regular goal-kicker Josh Holton kicked four himself as young gun Joey Maloney continued his rise through the ranks in a best-on performance for his side.
MEANDER VALLEY ended their season on a harmonious note, securing seventh position in a strong 18.15 (123) to 8.10 (58) win over Uni-Mowbray in Alan Perrin's last game at the helm.
Matthew Nicholson and Matthew Harrison both provided the highlights for the victorious side, claiming five goals apiece with Richard Heazlewood just behind them with four.
Sitting two goals ahead of the Eagles at quarter-time, an eight-goal second-quarter burst from the Suns put the result beyond doubt as Uni collected their second-highest score for the season.
Hayden Chrzanowski led from the front with three majors as Daniel Pickersgill kicked two and Ben Nicholson showed his stuff.
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