Yass Roos will clash with Gungahlin for the 2008 Premiership, following a composed 23-point win over the Belconnen Magpies at Manuka Oval on Saturday.
The Roos trailed by 13 points at quarter-time, but steadily found their feet, winning the remaining three quarters to replicate the form that saw them travel through the 18-round regular season undefeated.
Brought back down to earth after an upset 8-point loss at the hands Gungahlin in the major semi-final, the Roos faced a stern test against an in-form Magpies line-up. With a grand final spot up for grabs and gutsy ruckman Dave Willersdorf running out onto Manuka Oval for his 100th game, players were filled with motivation to spur them on.
Belconnen were out to spoil Yass’ afternoon and set about doing so with a tidy opening term. The Roos could scarcely get their hands on the footy for much of the first 25 minutes as Belconnen efficiently built a healthy 13-point lead by the first break.
Yass rallied in the second quarter, absorbing raid after raid from a hungry Belconnen Magpies outfit. Gradually, the game plan started to unfold for Yass, with inspired ruckman Willersdorf regularly winning the ball out of the centre for the disposal of on-ballers Mick Foran and Daniel Smith. A Jason Anderson goal with one-second remaining before half-time gave the Roos an unlikely one-point lead at the main break.
Ryan Cox, Dave Brown and Doug Watchorn, the three players making up the best half-back line in the competition, stepped up in the third quarter. With the help of experienced back three Adrian Paull, Neil Ramsay and Wayde Chalmers, the Roos consistent half-back line restricted their opponents to just nine-points for the entirety of the quarter.
Late goals to Daniel Mowbray and Daniel Poidevin gave the Roos breathing space and a 10-point buffer at three-quarter time.
Belconnen looked shot and the Roos looked set for their first grand final appearance. Kim Boyle, Guy Luckie and Brett Waters kicked stunning goals in the final 25-minutes to ensure the Roos booked their place in Saturday’s grand final.
While it’s hard to single out stand-out individuals from the team’s win, Mick Foran, Dave Willersdorf, Dave Brown, Daniel Mowbray and Ben Scroope steered the Roos around the park all day.
“It was an outstanding team effort,” thrilled coach Terry Lemon, who will celebrate his 100th game on the team’s coaching staff this weekend, said.
“It was a do or die game for us and we could have been forgiven for bowing out in straight sets.
“It’s one apiece this year between Yass and Gungahlin, this week’s game is the decider and what better day to have it on.”
The grand final appearance has been seven years in the making. For dedicated club persons like John Foran, Mick French, Gerard Kerin, Eileen Foran and Terry Lemon, who’ve all been involved with the club since day one, this Saturday’s game will be the result of seven years of devotion.
Of the Roos likely 22 for the grand final, ten players were foundation members of the club in 2002. Ben Scroope, Ben Serafin, Daniel Poidevin, Brett Curtis, Dave Willersdorf, Adrian Paull, Dave Brown, Doug Watchorn and Wayde Chalmers have been part of the side from game one.
A bus will depart from the back of the Australian Hotel-Motel at 10am on Saturday morning for those interested in watching the Roos potentially create history. Only 44 seats are available. Contact Terry Lemon on 0417 255 573.
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