FINALISTS for the Mininera and District Football League were decided on Saturday with rivals Penshurst and Glenthompson-Dunkeld occupying the fourth and fifth ladder rungs respectively to set up a clash for the ages this coming Sunday at Lake Bolac Recreation Reserve.

To get there, both teams had to ensure they won on Saturday and with Ararat desperate to grab a finals place should either team falter victory was paramount.

Penshurst was safe, as it was a game clear of both the Rams and the Eagles, but no team wants to take losing form into the finals and even though the Bombers were pitted against lowly Caramut, it still had to win.

The Penshurst Recreation Reserve is not in great condition and the torrential downpour that hit the district on Saturday afternoon only added to the wet, muddy playing surface.

The Swans were at the longest of odds to win the game after kicking only a single goal in their last five games, but of course there is always a chance of an upset in a two-horse race.

The home side was determined to make the best of their home ground advantage even though the heavy conditions didn’t allow for free-flowing football.

The Bombers were consistent with their play and registered five goals in the first term and nine goals by the sounding of the halftime siren as the players trudged from the ground.

The Swans did manage to record a major through Nathan Murphy to double its tally in the final six rounds of the season, but the hosts carried on in the second half to put 18 goals on the board and record a 125-point victory, 18.25 (133) – 1.2 (8).

Other games

GLENTHOMPSON-DUNKELD was the other team that had to win to keep its place in the top five and the Rams were not troubled against Moyston-Willaura at Glenthompson Recreation Reserve, winning 37.21 (243)-2.2 (14).

The Rams were ruthless against the struggling Pumas, as they opened a gap of 40 points at the first change of ends and then increased that to 101 by halftime.

With the game safely in its keeping, the home side could have been forgiven for putting the que in the rack and resting players with the finals in mind, but it didn’t happen as the team continued to drive nails into the Pumas coffin.

Tom Waters kicked a lazy 14 goals which took him to the top of the goal kickers list for the season, but it was Will Collins at centre half forward with eight goals to his name who grabbed best-on-ground status with a commanding performance.

HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR ended its season with a road trip to Mininera Recreation Reserve and a battle with SMW Rovers and the Eagles took home the points with a sound victory, 14.7 (91) – 10.10 (70).

The Eagles had been in the hunt for a finals spot up until round 12, but a loss to Wickliffe-Lake Bolac put paid to any finals aspirations.

To finish with eight wins and eight losses is a solid foundation on which to build the 2024 season upon, and the Eagles can look forward to greater success soon if the club can keep this group together.

WICKLIFFE-LAKE BOLAC suffered a shock last round loss to Great Western at Great Western Recreation Reserve as the Lions staged an ambush to end its season on a high, 16.17 (113) – 10.12 (72).

The Magpies entered the game in third spot on the ladder and were firm favourites to leap into second with victory against the eighth-placed Lions, but the home side was not going to lay down as they held a one-point lead at quarter time and trailed by the same margin at the long break.

It was the third term when the Lions took control of the game by slamming home six goals to three to open a 19-point lead over the Magpies.

They then carried this form into the last quarter with a further four goals to run away with the game as Ryan Folkes, Cooper Perrin, Adam Mullane, Riley Thomas, Jeremy Cronin and Nick Dunford ended their season on a high.

ARARAT travelled to Lismore Recreation Reserve knowing anything less than victory would see its season end, but even though the Eagles came away with a 12.6 (78) – 11.4 (70) win they still failed to reach fifth spot due to an inferior percentage.

TATYOON finished the home and away season with the minor premiership after a winning end to the 2023 season against second-placed Woorndoo-Mortlake at Woorndoo Recreation Reserve, 14.7 (91) to 5.11 (41).

In an ominous warning to the rest of the top five, as the Hawks kept the Tigers to only a single goal through the end of the third quarter.

The home side did rally in the final term with four majors, but the game was well and truly gone by that stage and Tatyoon will now have the rest for a week before seeking a spot in the grand final with a win in the second week of the finals.