Click here for the 2007 Mid West Footy Archive

Click here for the 2006 Mid West Footy Archive

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THE OFFICIAL WEB PAGE OF THE MID WEST FOOTY LEAGUE

2007 GRAND FINAL RESULT

Central Eyre	6.8	10.8	14.11	14.12 (96)
West Coast Hawks	2.0	7.4	8.6	12.8 (80)

Best - Central Eyre: K Sampson, B Grocke, W O'Brien, M Grocke, J Beard, M Sampson. West Coast Hawks: V Cash, T Montgomery, M Wheaton, J McEvoy, L Carey. Goals - Central Eyre: K Sampson, R Sampson 3, M Grocke 2, M Sampson, C O’Brien, B Hegarty, J Biggs, T McKenna, M Beinke. West Coast Hawks: L Carey 4, A Whitford 3, J Danis 2, M Box, C McCullam, J McGilvray.

MID WEST FOOTBALL - 2008 (Team: Central Eyre, Elliston, West Coast Hawks, Western Districts, Wirrulla & Wudinna United)

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PRELIMINARY FINAL , AUGUST 30, 2008

WIRRULLA TO MEET HAWKS IN GRAND FINAL

Wirrulla to Grand Final (Just!)

Wirrulla Bombers have booked a Grand Final appointment with the Hawks, but not without providing their supporters and the remaining sizable crowd with some heart wrenching moments in the Preliminary Final against Wudinna United. So often Preliminary Finals turn out close contests, and this was another. Both sides gave their all for their club and jumper, with Wirrulla kicking their final and winning goal not much more than a minute before the end, the siren sounding as the Magpies were in possession and streaming forward.

Both sides started the game somewhat nervously; ball handling errors were caused by constant pressure with neither side able to break free. Earlier rain had made the ground soft, and the ball was slightly slippery. Jarrod Parker was in outstanding form out of the centre, Robert Holmes confirmed his outstanding talent with leg speed and determination, Shane Pittaway looking dangerous again up forward. Mark North and Ryan DuBois gaining numerous possessions in the middle for the Maggies.

One goal each at quarter time and it looked like the game was headed for a soccer score.

The second quarter was all Wudinna United, with a slight breeze heading diagonally across the ground, four goals to nil for the quarter, their backlines holding up superbly through Troy Klante, ever reliable Simon Petty and the rugged Lincoln Ramsey holding sway, whilst Craig Watson just had the ball on a string, using his amazing pace to full damaging advantage. The Bombers held on by their fingernails, Simon Riddle playing excellent disciplined football, Alex Bond showing dash and bravery has he fearlessly attacked the contests, and Yanni Retsas being creative as is the norm with this highly talented gentleman.

Alarm bells must have been ringing around the Bombers change room, 26 points down at half time, one goal on the board, and the reality of a straight set exit staring at them. In such adversity is when good sides come to the fore.

A wonderful third quarter, the premiership quarter, with Bombers responding to the call all over the ground. Troy Olsen playing with a controlled vigour, and causing plenty of heartache for the opposition, Nathan Ross speed and use of the ball, Tyler Baldock really lifting in the centre and Ryan Watson also showing extra class. Wirrulla were winning the ball, running and playing with a system that has seen them as one of the ladder leaders all year. The half time gap was closed down, and the Bombers took a slender lead of six points into the final stanza.

The final quarter was an epic, no side willing to give in and throwing their body at the ball, the opposition and contests without fear. Wudinna United soon hit the lead, kicking two goals, but the Bombers kept hitting back. The lead changed six times in a final quarter that had it all, no one in the crowd looking away for a moment. Both sides could taste a Grand Final opportunity, and their desperation to get their kept everyone enthralled to the end. Excellent contributions by Tyler Baldock, Simon Webb, the continuous effort of Jarrod Parker, Chris Dickson and Brayden Holmes in the Centre, matched the mercurial Ryan DuBois, Rowan Jacobs and Dan Foster, always dangerous as a key focal forward.

The final margin of four points was only determined in the final seconds, and Wirrulla retired jubilantly to their rooms and a rousing reception from their supporters. Wudinna United were proud in defeat, challenging to the very end, although little recompense for them in that knowledge. A wonderful game by two very worthy teams with the red and blacks living to fight on in the Grand Final.

A GRADE SCOREBOARD

Wirrulla	1.4	1.5	7.11	10.12 (72)
Wudinna United	1.1	5.7	6.11	9.14 (68)

Best: Wirrulla – J Parker, T Olsen, A Bond, S Riddle, N Ross, R Holmes. Wudinna United – R Dubois, R Jacobs, L Ramsey, S Petty, D Foster, M North. Goals: Wirrulla – T Olsen 3, C Johnson 2, Y Retsas 2, S Pittaway, J Parker, T Verrall. Wudinna United – D Foster 4, R Jacobs 2, C Watson, J Hutt, G Barns

B Grade

Wirrulla had been fortunately strengthened by several A Grade players with the inclusion of several younger players unavailable the previous week, at the same time the Hawks chose to rest many of their A listed players for next weeks showdown. Wirrulla started the game strongly and never looked back, winning most positions on the ground, and constantly feeding their prolific forwards. Dan Dingwall in the middle was regularly getting the first touch, rucking and marking contest, setting up the faster runners Matt Kayser, Josh Norman and Mark Binder. Andrew Patterson again wore the polish from the top of his boots with his multitude of kicks and Evan Whillas strong all day.

For the Hawks, Chopper Foster continued his fine form sine his late season start, Misha Karp was tenacious, Jarrad Freeman tried hard, Scott France and Elmo Elliott also stood in the way of the Wirrulla avalanche. The Bombers will look forward to the Grand Final with a renewed confidence after this dominating display, and indicating that perhaps the Tigers still have home work to do before next week.

B GRADE SCOREBOARD

Wirrulla	3.4	5.9	11.11	16.17 (113)
West Coast Hawks	0.1	0.2	1.2	1.2 (8)

Best: Wirrulla – D Dingwall, E Whillas, A Patterson, P Gum, M Kayser. WC Hawks – S France, A Foster, M Karp, E Elliott. Goals: Wirrulla – D Pittaway 5, J Barrett, D Murphy 2, D Chayter, P Gum, J Norman, M Binder, C Perry, A Atkinson, D Mudge. WC Hawks – I Montgomerie.

Colts

Wudinna United lead took and early lead in the game with Central Eyre, and were never headed. In what was expected to be a much closer contest, the Bulldogs never gave up trying. They had a younger and physically smaller side, however were able to run the ball forward often. The Magpies were lead by their generals Tyson Jackson and Josh Boylan, both class acts and blessed with pace and long kicking ability. Nick Wedding grabbed everything near, and then some that weren’t his to get, Stefan Wilkins a constant threat with five goals from his own boot and setting up several others, Cody Boylans fast leading and Dean Cummings in the excellent in the ruck. For the Bulldogs, it is hard to fault the effort of Lockwood medalist Jake Bruce, always 100% effort, kicks with both feet and runs all day. The mighty Tasman Fitzgerald in the ruck and around the ground was fantastic, Max Bower, Toby Kelly, Tyler Chapman and Micah VanLoon all have great futures and will be proud of their efforts.

Wudinna United won by over 100 points in the end to confront the ladder leaders West Coast Hawks in the Grand Final

COLTS SCOREBOARD

Wudinna United	4.1	10.5	15.13	18.17 (125)
Central Eyre	1.0	2.1	2.4	2.4 (16)

Best: Wudinna United – T Jackson, J Boylan, N Wedding, D Cummings, S Wilkins. Central Eyre – T Fitzgerald, J Bruce, M Van Loon, M Bower, T Kelly. Goals: Wudinna United – S Wilkins 5, C Boylan 4, J Boylan 3, J Wilkins, R Seal 2, C Jericho, N Wedding. Central Eyre – J Bruce 2.