HAMILTON Kangaroos is one win away from a place in the Hampden Football Netball League Under-18.5 grand final after claim an emphatic 75-point victory in the qualifying final against North Warrnambool Eagles at Victoria Park on Saturday, 13.11 (89) to 2.2 (14).

The first half saw the Joeys held to only five goals for the first two quarters, as the game became a defensive grind with the Eagles kept to only a single major at the same time.

After the long break, the Kangaroos were able to run and carry the ball more effectively and the score started to mount quickly with four more majors added in the third term while being able to keep the Eagles scoreless for the second quarter in succession.

The final quarter was again dominated by the Kangaroos, as they posted another four goals to run away with the game and book a spot against minor premier, Koroit, next week where a win will see the Joeys earn a week’s rest and a place in the grand final.

Hamilton Kangaroos coach, Luke Uebergang, was pleased with how his team played, especially how the team stuck to its game plan.

“The Eagles are a team that likes to possess the ball, and I asked the boys to really pressure the opposition when they had the ball to force turnovers,” Uebergang said.

“We executed our game plan well, to the point where we had 93 tackles for the game, which caused many turnovers to be caused.

“Ethan Knight had a huge game for us in the midfield, while also moving forward where he dominated the opposition with Decan White playing out of position at half back as he gave us great drive forward,” Uebergang said.

Ethan Knight, Deacon White, Charlie Alexander, William Hunter, Jason Hawker and Lachlan Rees were named as being the best for the Kangaroos, while Fletcher Timms, Sebastian Shiells, Jarvis Bermingham, Luke Kenna, Wilson Grundy, Will McConnell did their best for the Eagles who now go on to play South Warrnambool next week.

The Kangaroos must defeat Koroit to claim a place in the grand final and Uebergang is already working on a game plan to combat the minor premiers.

“They are a well drilled team with great discipline and they too like to possess the ball as much as possible, so we will have to work hard again in creating turnover ball for us to win,” Uebergang said.

“They love to move the ball quickly but if we can pressure them, we can create turnovers.

“They like to play with width, so we have to restrict their run and carry.”