Rochester 16.13 (109) d Tatura 13.7 (85)
Rochester’s season was on the line heading into this match.
A run of three straight losses meant the Tigers were sitting outside the top six.
And with their backs against the wall, Rochy delivered a big victory just days after it was announced coach James Flaherty would depart the club at the end of the season.
“The boys have given themselves the opportunity to play finals footy and now we have the chance to show just how hungry we are,” he said.
“It has been frustrating how inconsistent we’ve been, but I’m pleased with how we’ve continued to bounce back from the adversity we’ve faced.”
Rhys Free, Mitch Bright and Liam Bartels played big roles in the win, kicking 10 goals between them.
Lockington Bamawm United v Elmore
2011 second semi-final at Hibo Hotel Oval, North Bendigo.
LBU 16.8 (104) def. Elmore 12.7 (79)
With playing coach Kahl Oliver missing and Sean Murphy injured early, LBU needed someone to stand up if they were going to book a passage straight through to the grand final.
And young gun Lachie Collins answered the call as he kicked six majors in a different looking Cats forward line.
He won the praise of his coach, who said a strong first half had been important for his side.
‘‘Lachie was excellent,’’ Oliver said.
‘‘We set ourselves up pretty well at the start of the game. We wanted to kick the ball to certain areas and Lachy ran into them and got on to the end of a couple.
‘‘It was disappointing to see Murphy come off in the first quarter, so we had to restructure again, and it probably took us a while to settle down again.
‘‘It’s a team effort at the moment and that’s why we’re winning games of footy.”
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