Hills Football League (Division 2) - Week 1 Finals

Elimination Final (Bridgewater-Callington v Macclesfield)

Macclesfield have eliminated 2016 premiers Bridgewater-Callington in a thriller at Meadows Oval. It was tough, tight and low scoring as the Blood ‘n Tars prevailed by seven points, 10.9 (69) to 9.8 (62). Maccy got off to a good start kicking to the town end scoring 3.1 (19) and restricting the Raiders to 0.3 (3). Bridgewater-Callington finally got on the board in the second term kicking three goals to two but still trailed by 13 points at the long break. The Raiders were working their way back into the game and by three quarter time they trailed by just a solitary point. A big final term was in store and it proved to be a ripper! It went goal for goal until first Isaac Cope and then Ben Flood goaled to open up a 13-point lead for Maccy with five minutes remaining. A strong mark and goal from the Raiders’ Sam Foutoulis gave them some hope but Macclesfield held on to win by seven points and set up an intriguing First Semi-Final battle with Ironbank Cherry Gardens at Mt Pleasant next Sunday. Joshua Lewis-Burns, Cope and Flood all kicked two majors for Maccy while Foutoulis and Jackson Hooper kicked three goals for Bridgewater-Callington. Brodie Hart, Jack Reynolds and Ryan Norton were named best for the winners while Hooper, Alex Bryars and Jack Bevelander battled hard for the Raiders.

Qualifying Final (Ironbank Cherry Gardens v Gumeracha)

Gumeracha have caused an upset by defeating reigning premier Ironbank Cherry Gardens by 21 points in a high scoring Qualifying Final at Kersbrook. The Magpies now progress to the Second Semi-Final to take on the undefeated minor premier Kersbrook for a shot at a Grand Final spot. Gumeracha started well to open up a 24-point lead at the first change. The next two quarters were even and Gumeracha turned for home with a handy 19-point lead. Ironbank Cherry Gardens pushed hard in the final term they were wayward in front of goal kicking 3.5 which cost them any chance as Gumeracha kicked four goals straight to prevail 20.5 (125) to 15.14 (104). Robert McCard was a star up forward for Gumeracha kicking six goals and he was ably supported by Brendon Moon with four and Matthew Armstrong who kicked three. For Ironbank Jeremy Johncock kicked four with Levi Grigg and Elijah Ware slotting three majors each. Best for a jubilant Gumeracha outfit were McCard, Matthew Marsden and Moon while best for Ironbank Cherry Gardens were Thomas Watton, Josh Rosman and Joel Van Paridon.