A HARD-EDGED and committed Calivil United has earned a chance to avenge its LVFNL semi-final loss to Bridgewater following a 37-point win over Newbridge in Saturday’s preliminary final.
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The Demons took control of the contest from about midway through the opening quarter and never relented, to set up their first grand final appearance since 2010.
They led by 20 points at quarter time, but effectively shut the Maroons out of the contest during the second term by scoring four goals to one to increase the margin to 42 points.
Newbridge did not help its cause early, adding six consecutive behinds in the opening term after Demons coach Anthony Dennis had booted the game’s first goal.
Three straight goals to end the quarter, including one from livewire forward Vinny Rodi with just seconds left on the clock, appeared to sap some of the Maroons’ confidence.
Coach Dennis labelled the final minutes of that opening term as crucial in terms of momentum.
“Scoreboard pressure is a big thing and with them missing goals and us getting the last two or three of the quarter, it steadied us,” he said.
The Maroons were able to outscore the Demons in the third quarter, albeit narrowly, and kept pace with them in the final term, but the damage had already been done.
It is often said defence wins premiership and the Demons proved again on Saturday they have one of the league’s best.
A tight-knit and dependable back-six was superbly led by Sam Brinsmead across half back, with solid support from Jonas Somerville, Jordan Lea and Matt Magee.
The Demons’ dominance was kick-started in the centre square, where ruckman Christopher Down was a standout and Jake Lawry worked tirelessly, while forwards Rodi and Bryce Curnow each contributed two goals, had their opponents working overtime.
Dennis said a grand final berth was a fitting reward for his players’ hard work during the season.
“It’s great being able to go into a grand final knowing we have played a good game,” he said.
“I thought if we could break even through the middle we were a big chance of winning,” he said.
“Our spread on the outside was a lot quicker than theirs and it showed with a couple of quick breaks, which resulted in goals in the first quarter going from one to the other.”
The Demons managed to get through the contest without any major injury worries.
For Newbridge, Sam Kennedy booted four goals, two of them coming in the final quarter.
Jordy Gilboy was lively throughout the contest, while Nathan Bacon and vice-captain Tyler Romeril battled hard for four quarters.
