IK and Phillip Island share preliminary spoils

THE Southern Gippsland Junior Football Competition (SGJFC) has reached the final week, following the conclusion of the Preliminary Finals on Sunday. 

After a sensational season in across the under 10, 12 and 14 grades, it all came down to Sunday’s contests at a very wet Leongatha Velodrome, to decide which two clubs would appear in the decider. 

With the under 10s not taking part in finals, the under 12s kicked off the morning’s proceedings and it was Inverloch Kongwak (2nd) taking on Phillip Island Blue (4th) for a chance to meet Leongatha (1st) in the Grand Final. 

Both teams had outstanding seasons however IK went in as favourites after finishing higher on the league ladder at the end of the home and away season. 

It was a tight tussle all game and both teams started well, it was evident early that it was going to be an arm wrestle all game long. 

IK seemed to settle first and made the most of it on the scoreboard, taking an early lead. 

A lead they held for much of the match, until the Bulldogs kicked a great goal late in the final term to steal the lead, they then defended brilliantly to claim a 3-point victory and get their chance to take on the might of Leongatha this weekend. 

Zane Larsson, Caleb Cantwell and Brydon Marshall were all solid contributors for the Island, while Zeb Anderson, Finn O’Halloran and Charlie Jury all tried their best for IK. 

Both teams managed the weather well, displaying superb short kicking games and strong, overhead marking, the play was free flowing and both teams also showed great courage. 

Phillip Island Blue now meet Leongatha in the decider, the Parrots are slick side who move the ball well and the Bulldogs will need to bring their ‘A-game’ if they want to claim premiership glory at Wonthaggi. 

In the under 14s contest, it was IK (4th) who took on Phillip Island Red (2nd) for a chance to face off with Phillip Island Blue (1st) in the big dance. 

Phillip Island were served well by the performances of Thomas McMillan, Connor McMillan and Sam O’Garey, but they could do little to stop the dominance of IK’s power forward Froley Anderson. 

Anderson tore the game apart, booting eight goals to send his team into the Grand Final, although the game was hard fought, IK kicked away in the third term to a 40-point victory in Leongatha. 

The Sea Eagles worked well as a team, linking up on many occasions on route to their 10 goals for the day. 

They now go on to the decider, where they will face minor premiers Phillip Island Blue for the premiership.