The Horsham District league’s first elimination final ended with a bang, with the Baggies progressing to the semi-final after defeating the Rams 7.14.56 to 8.4.52. 

The game went the way it was expected, close throughout. 

The Baggies could have blown the game out early but inaccuracy in front of goal kept the Rams in the contest. 

Baggies coach Scott Carey said it was a huge day for both clubs. 

“You try to not make it an emotional game but it means so much to the clubs,” he said. “Where both teams have come from last season, to win a final is a really big tick and it really shows that both clubs are moving forward. We were really keen to make sure things fell our way today.”

Carey said at the start of the season he and the team set the goal to play finals football. 

“We had a chat between us and said, ‘rightio, finals is the goal,’ and then as the season progressed you try to make sure your goals are still reasonable and we thought winning the first final was the one we wanted to tick off,” he said. 

“For the club, looking forward, we have some young blokes who haven’t had experience in finals even though our back line is pretty experienced. It’s just massive moving forward.” 

Carey said it was hard to pick a best on ground. 

“It’s a hard one to come off when you’re in it,” he said. 

“Zacy Armer across half forward really gave us an option, but it’s the old cliche, there wasn’t a standout, the boys did what they needed to do whether the ball was there to be one or the contest had to be made, they made it.” 

Baggie forward Andrew Cameron said it felt very intense right from the get-go. 

“We sort of blazed away at the start, which we should have got a couple of goals that were there,” he said. 

“Other than that, the boys got together and pushed hard until the end.” 

The inaccuracy in the Baggies’ kicking didn’t worry Cameron too much. 

“I think the pressure and being a bit young, we usually get them easy ones but it’s just like I said, they’re young and still learning,” he said. 

“At the end of the day, hopefully next week we can put them through.”  

Rams star man Callum Cameron said the game was there for the taking. 

“We just couldn’t get it done at the right time,” he said.  “It was the same as every game really, it was hard. You make small mistakes and it costs you goals.” 

Matthew Healy was named best on ground for the Baggies. John Lovel was best on ground for the Rams.