By DAVID NAGEL
THE Lions have their roar back … what other conclusion can be drawn after Pakenham’s super-impressive 68-point win over Berwick in Sunday’s elimination final at Toomuc Reserve.
The Lions now get the chance to redeem their most disappointing performance of the year -a 58-point loss to Beaconsfield- when the two teams collide in Sunday’s first semi-final at Doveton.
The Lions dug in against a four-to-five goal breeze in the first term, and from there dominated proceedings, slamming home 14 goals to two after the first break in a commanding performance.
“We worked really hard, our physicality was second to none and we just played some really good footy … it’s as simple as that,” was Lions coach Steve O’Bryan’s blunt appraisal after the match.
Regular ball-winners in Beau Wheeler, Dean Blake and Cory Lenders lapped up the silver-service from Kym Jones in the ruck, while Jason Fisher, Michael Taurua and Sam Blackwood were indestructible down back.
Anthony Young and forward-pressure machine, Jake Barclay, slotted two goals each, all during the Lions dominant 6.6 to 0.0 second term that set up the win. Coach Steve O’Bryan bagged three for the winners while Paul Gramc and Russ Lehman joined Young and Barclay as two goal contributors.
Brad Fowler, Jake Gains and Andrew Morozoff were best for the Wickers.
CRANBOURNE confirmed itself as Narre Warren’s biggest threat to going back-to-back this season with a high-pressure 32-point win over Beaconsfield in Saturday’s qualifying final at Edwin Flack Reserve.
Doug Koop’s Eagles had a plan to harass and intimidate some of Beaconsfield’s brightest young stars, and it worked, outstanding tackling and pressure at the coal face making all the difference in the end.
Cranbourne worked hard for its 20-point lead at half time but made football look easy in the third term, a seven-goal blast leading to a 39-point lead at the final break, effectively ending the contest.
Skipper Marc Holt kicked four, and Michael Theodoridis three for the winners, while Ryan Davey, Curtis Barker and Ryan Jones were driving forces all day. Nick Barker and Brandon Osborne were superb in defence while Mitch Lindsay’s job to restrict the influence of Beaconsfield ruckman Scott Meyer can’t be underestimated.
