WAROONA narrowly defeated Halls Head in a see-sawing game to set up a preliminary final match-up with Mundijong after Pinjarra caused another upset.
In a wet first quarter Halls Head were able to start strongly to open up a 13-point lead at quarter-time.
Halls Head started the second quarter where they left off but were unable to capitalise on the scoreboard with Waroona able to work themselves back into the game.
As the rain eased Waroona were able to capture the lead to head into the main break with a six-point lead, 5.9 (39) to 5.3 (33).
Halls Head came out firing in the third quarter with the Lightning regaining a four-point lead at three-quarter time.
The lead could have been more with Halls Head kicking four goals, five behinds compared to Waroona’s three goals, one behind.
The game was up for grabs in the final quarter with Waroona the side able to rise to the occasion kicking five goals to Halls Head’s two to run-out 13 point winners, 13.12 (90) to 11.11 (77).
Alfred Angi and Rhett Mason each kicked three goals for Waroona.
Pinjarra progressed to the grand final and will have a week off after a surprise win over Mundijong.
Pinjarra hadn’t defeated Mundijong all season but was able to win when it mattered.
The game looked to be going to plan for Mundijong as they opened up a 14-point lead at quarter-time however Pinjarra came out firing in the second quarter, holding Mundijong goalless while kicking five of their own to lead by 17 points at half time.
Pinjarra extended their lead to 24 points at three-quarter time and despite Mundijong’s best efforts in the last quarter were able to hold on to win by 11 points, 10.11 (71) to 9.6 (60).
Matt Battye led the goal scorers for Pinjarra with three.
Centrals will play Waroona at Anniversary Park on Saturday at 2.30pm.
In the Reserves, South Mandurah progressed to the preliminary final following a 21-point win over Baldivis.
South Mandurah set up the win in a dominant first half holding Baldivis to one goal to lead by 32 points at half time.
Baldivis responded in the third quarter kicking five goals to South Manudrah’s two to reduce the deficit to 20 points at three-quarter time.
It was an arm wrestle in the last with South Mandurah able to come away with the win, 11.12 (78) to 8.9 (57). Michael Drazic led the goal scorers for South Mandurah with four.
South Manudrah will now play Waroona in a preliminary final after the Demons lost to the Centrals by 19 points.
The Centrals started strongly, extending their lead in each of the opening three quarters to lead by 31 points at three-quarter time.
Waroona booted five goals to the Centrals two in the final term but it was too little too late with the final score 9.9 (63) to 7.2 (44).
Brad McGrath kicked three goals for the the Centrals.
Waroona will play South Mandurah at 12.30pm at Anniversary Park on Saturday.
In the Colts, Rockingham progressed to the grand final following a 15-point win against Waroona.
The game was tight the whole way through with Rockingham leading by 10 points at quarter time and half time.
Waroona reduced the deficit to three points at three-quarter time but Rockingham was able to respond in the last quarter to run out 15-point winners, 10.7 (67) to 7.10 (52).
Waroona will now play Mandurah in a preliminary final after the Mustangs were able to defeat Baldivis in a rematch of last year’s grand final.
After a tight first quarter Mandurah were able to blow the game open in a four-goal-to-none second quarter.
Baldivis closed the deficit to 19 points at three-quarter time but Mandurah were too good in the last, winning by 28 points, 11.10 (76) to 7.6 (48). Brad McGowan led the goal scorers with three goals for Baldivis. Mandurah will play Waroona at 10.30am on Saturday at Anniversary Park.
