North Beach move into Grand Final
North Beach Sea Eagles played to form and advanced to the Harvey Norman Grand Final, but with a 28 to six score line against the Fremantle Roosters, the result did not necessarily reflect what was a tough and physical finals hit out.
After four tries were scored in the first 15 minutes and both sides trying to set their stamp on the game, the score raced to 16 to six. From that point it settled into a classic defensive match with both sides going toe to toe for the rest of the game. North Beach’s final 12 points were only added to the board on the bell at half time and four minutes before the end of the game, leaving a big crowd excited with the pace and quality of football on display.
Fremantle threatened and spent much of the second half in attack but could not get the ball over the line because of the defensive pressure of the Sea Eagles. The work by North Beach in their own 20 metres was outstanding.
Both coaches were happy with the game and are looking forward to a potential rematch in the Grand Final.
“It was a tough game, but their momentum in the first half was the difference,” Fremantle coach Lee Toon-Poynton said.
“I think we showed some good signs in the second and got the ball into the right spots.”
Ryan Gundry, coach of North Beach, was upbeat.
“I was very pleased with the win, it was a tough effort and we kept them scoreless in the second half. We defended the house down and it was that defense that won the night,” he said.
Best players were Matt Doeg and Ben Taylor for North Beach, with Aaron Watson and Ryan Foster Fremantle’s best.
In the elimination final Rockingham Sharks knocked South Perth out of the finals race with a strong second half, running away with a 32 to 18 victory. Credit goes to the Sharks after losing two key playmakers before the game and then having two players in the second half who should have stayed on the bench. It will be the first year the Lions have not played a grand final for 10 years.
“We had too much dropped ball and missed too many tackles to be a threat”, reflected Lions’ coach Nathan Johnson.
Rockingham coach Martyn Wood praised his players.
“It was a great effort by the boys, we lost players, but they rolled up their sleeves and did the job. It was more like what we are capable of,” he said.
Best players were Caleb Reedy for the Sharks and Joss Boyton for the Lions.
Next week Fremantle meet Rockingham in the preliminary final and to decide who will play North Beach in the Grand Final. The game will be played at Ken Allen Field in Hilton.
Game Results (subject to official Team Sheets)
First Grade
Rockingham Sharks 32 – South Perth Lions 18 (ELIMINATION FINAL)
North Beach Sea Eagles 28 – Fremantle Roosters 6 (MAJOR FINAL)
Premier Grade
Fremantle Roosters 42 – South Perth Lions 20 (ELIMINATION FINAL)
Willagee Bears 24 – North Beach Sea Eagles 16 (MAJOR FINAL)
Under 18
Joondalup Giants 44 – South Perth Lions 22 (ELIMINATION FINAL)
Kalamunda Bulldogs 60 – Rockingham Sharks 24 (MAJOR FINAL)
LeagueTag
Joondalup Giants 16 – South Perth Lions 8 (ELIMINATION FINAL)
Fremantle Roosters 14 – Kalamunda Bulldogs 8 (MAJOR FINAL)