WHEN Minyip-Murtoa kick-started its semi-final clash with Stawell by holding the Warriors scoreless in the opening term, the prospect of a see-sawing encounter in blustery conditions whetted the appetites of all fans at Horsham City Oval on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The contest began with a roaring north-easterly wind – favouring the city end of the ground – and the Burras took full toll, kicking three goals to nothing to start the match and lead by 23 points at the first change.
Captain John Delahunty opened the account for Minyip-Murtoa and when Adam Ross guided through two before the first interval, the Burras had a handy break.
Given Stawell’s ability to find space and use the ball so well, it was expected they would regain control in the second.
But within a minute of the second term, it was clear the Warriors would need to step it up.
A fourth goal to Minyip-Murtoa gave it a 29-point lead before Stawell put the clamps on.
A couple of Warrior behinds followed as the scoring dried up, but as if sensing a storm was brewing, Adam Ross, Adam Schache and Blake Young booted three more to give the Burras a 43-point half-time advantage.
That second-quarter eventually proved pivotal, as dark clouds led to driving rain for much of the second half.
The wind switched to slightly favour Stawell’s end of the ground, but it did little to help the Warriors’ cause.
Jackson Taurau guided through a glorious set shot at the beginning of the third term as Stawell looked to lift, but goals to Lachie Gabbe and Liam Newell steadied the ship for Minyip-Murtoa to effectively kill the contest, as the downpour made any sort of skillful execution almost impossible.
With the result a mere formality at the final change, spectators’ umbrellas were torn to shreds and umpires hit the deck on a slippery City Oval surface.
Kieran Delahunty slammed home the Burras 10th and Dave Morris snuck one home to add some respectability to the scoreboard.
The 10.6 (66) to 2.12 (24) result was certainly not reflective of the tight encounters the two sides had played out during the home-and-away season.
Burras’ coach Jaye Macumber admitted he was “ecstatic”, while Warriors’ mentor Brad Thomas maintained his side was not disappointed, but proud of the reversal from one season to another.
Adam Ross kicked a game-high three majors on a day where goals were hard to come by, while the rest were singles across both sides.
John Delahunty and Daniel Launer stood up for the Burras, as late inclusions Justin Garth and Clint Midgely proved pivotal to the line-up.
Jackson Dark, Scott Rathgeber and Scott Driscoll battled hard for the Warriors.
In-form forward Jack Musgrove was unable to assert himself on the contest in the slippery conditions.
The Burras now play Horsham in the preliminary final in Stawell for a place in the grand final while the Warriors will begin to build for their 2016 assault.
