Poowong steady in elimination final

PLAYING a strong, consistent game, Poowong’s U16s won its elimination final against Nilma Darnum on Sunday.

The game garnered a lot of excellent support from the Poowong club, with plenty of members, footballers and netballers turning out to get behind them at the Catani Recreation Reserve.

Playing in near-perfect conditions for footy, Poowong went into the game quietly confident with a good record against Nilma Darnum through the home and away season.

Poowong faced Nilma Darnum four times, with three wins and one loss.

The first quarter was full of finals intensity and Poowong was able to settle the nerves quicker.

Poowong established a lead with one goal late in the quarter, kicked by Lachie Moriarty.

With a couple of game plans in place, Poowong was able to maintain its momentum in the second quarter.

The boys were focused on its attack and putting pressure on the ball to win the footy.

During the halftime break, the boys were reminded that you can’t let up in finals footy and it drove enough motivation for a consistent third quarter.

Poowong continued on the right track and didn’t allow Nilma Darnum to get back in it.

Zac Sherar started as half-back, but it was obvious from early in the game that he was going to have a great impact on the game and was moved to onball, where he dominated.

Gavin Monson was back on the ground after three weeks out with a collarbone injury.

Monson sustained the injury after Poowong’s last battle with Nilma Darnum.

Playing in the midfield, Monson was straight back into his old form and was tagged for a lot of the game but didn’t let that get to him.

Kohen Mandemaker was a huge presence in the ruck and around the ground, making it difficult for Nilma Darnum to exit Poowong’s forward 50. 

When the ball wasn’t in the air, he was putting his body on the line to go hard at the footy alongside the midfielders. 

By the fourth quarter, the Poowong boys were hyped up with a win in sight.

They kept striving to put a few extra goals on the board before the final siren, resulting in a pleasing 35-point win. 

Poowong will play Neerim South in the semi-final next Sunday at the Neerim South Recreation Reserve.

Although it’ll be nerve-wracking to come up against Neerim South with a home-ground advantage, Poowong is determined to be competitive on the day.

Neerim South beat Poowong by seven points in its first meeting during the home and away season and beat them again by 58 points in the last game.

Poowong is expecting a challenge but it’s ready to compete.