Grand finals in reach

The Under 18s played Bathurst on Saturday and sadly they didn’t show up mentally for the grand final qualifier.

Young were put away by halftime and by the final siren knew they needed to do some soul searching before their next game to be held tomorrow against Orange in the preliminary final at Bathurst. 

“The backline for the first time this season, and I’d go as far to say ‘ever’ since the club started fielding a side in this age group five years ago, actually gave up,” committee member Geoff Harmer said.

“Regular performers didn’t want to be there and neither did anyone else who was asked to move back and have a go.

“The boys were done very early on and it was gut wrenching to watch such a capitulation.”

Joel Griffin stood in for coach Ray Martin last week and did his best, and can hold his head high.

He addressed the team well and managed to motivate the boys to lift and that they did in the final term with committed and starch defence.

The Bushrangers were a much larger side than the Saints but got a bit cocky after their nine goals in third term and a few came off at the end of the game feeling a little worse for ware.

Usually the award process is a hard one to finalise as there are sometimes up to six or seven guys to choose from, but last week two players in their first season of AFL were the obvious picks and they were Matthew Knight and Conah Wilder who deservedly received the Subway awards.

Their willingness to chase, tackle and help their teammates was a real standout.

Tomorrow the 18s will get two experienced players back in positions vital to the team and after determined training and hopefully a strong mindset the Saints can defeat Orange and get a chance for redemption against the Bushies. 

Match results: 

QT - Young 1-1-7, Bathurst 5-5-35.

HT - Young 2-1-13, Bathurst 9-6-60.

QT - Young 4-2-26, Bathurst 18-7-115.

FT - Young 4-5-29, Bathurst 20-10-130.

Goalkickers - Hamish Gledhill (2), Max DeBritt and Brodie Harmer-Clark one goal each.

The next day saw Reserve Grade travel to Cowra and take on the Orange Tigers in the elimination final.

This match had it all - rugged defence, fine flowing footy in patches, niggle and some controversy from both sides.

Young got out to lead at quarter time by three goals, weathered some stormy footy well, but fell into a lull during the second and third terms.

The Saints regrouped and outscored the Tigers five goals to one to run out 34 point winners.

There were some solid performances throughout the match and none better than Stewarts Jewellers players player, ruckman Ethan Cummins, who again powered his way through four quarters of footy to win nearly every ruck he contested and supplying much-needed ball to the onballers to push the Saints forward.

Sam Herzich and Cameron Hobbs played their typical onball roles and both should compliment each other tomorrow and provide some headaches for the Bathurst side.

Like the day before, the reserve grade backline had an off day, but managed to congeal late in the third term and throughout the final stanza to help the side home. 

The forwards played well, kept it open and worked together to share the goals around among themselves.

“Kai Frame and Kurt Lyzun have led the scoring most of the season and I’m backing these two to score some great goals, important goals for us not just tomorrow but hopefully next week as well,” Harmer said.

One real impressive performance was from the six man bench, all six of them actually.

Brayden Harmer-Clark did some fine things on the wing and into the forward line, kicking the best goal of the game from deep in the picket.

The two recipients of the Subway awards also came off the bench.

Ben Anderson, who has had a pretty good season to date, rotated to the wing and made himself a continual target throughout the match.

Adam Hughes came on and played on the back and forward flanks, put himself over the ball and helped the forwards keep the pill locked in the forward 50 metres.

He has been a handy acquisition this season and his attitude towards training and game day has been refreshing to the club and fellow team mates.

Robert Flynn is another interchange player to add some spark and his presence in the backline has been valuable to the Saints.

His ability to get up the noses of opposition players and continual chatter being a real plus for the side.

Match results:

QT - Young 3-1-19, Orange 0-1-1.

HT - Young 4-5-29, Orange 3-2-20.

QT - Young 6-7-43, Orange 5-5-35.

FT - Young 11-10-76, Orange 6-6-42.

Tomorrow is a huge game for Young, and Bathurst will field a strong side more than likely topped up with some players not making the First Grade side for their tussle with Cowra.

“I think both our sides are very close in all aspects of the game, and the boys can’t wait to get on the paddock and continue what has become a great rivalry,” Harmer said.

The Under 18s will play Orange at 10am, and Reserve Grade do battle with Bathurst at 11.45am at George Park, Bathurst.