Waaia stalwart Jesse Trower was on hand with a typical leader’s performance.
Photo by
Jazzy Johal
The Picola and District League’s grand final picture is complete, with Waaia and Katamatite advancing to the senior football decider following contrasting preliminary final victories.
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Waaia was the first side to punch its ticket, producing a suffocating defensive performance to end Katandra’s campaign with a 6.9 (45) to 2.7 (19) victory at Picola Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The Bombers established an early advantage, leading 1.3 (9) to 0.1 (1) at quarter-time, before Katandra responded to make it a one-point contest at the main break, 1.5 (11) to 1.4 (10).
But Waaia took control after half-time.
The Bombers kicked 2.1 to 1.1 during the third term to move seven points clear before completely shutting Katandra out in the fourth quarter.
Waaia piled on 3.3 while keeping the Kats scoreless, turning what had been a tight preliminary final into a convincing 26-point victory.
Charlie Burrows led the Bombers with three goals, Connor Brown kicked two and Dustin Blake added one, while Luke Turcato and Fletcher Paul were Katandra’s only goalkickers.
Waaia’s Anthony Bergamin, Dylan Cornick and Samuel Boyd were among its listed best players, while Turcato, Brady Black and Harrison Willaton featured among Katandra’s best.
Katamatite then booked the other grand final berth with a much more emphatic performance on Sunday, defeating Barooga by 52 points at Blighty Recreation Reserve.
The Tigers ran out 14.13 (97) to 6.9 (45) winners to bring Barooga’s season to an end and set up a premiership showdown with Waaia.
That leaves the two sides to meet for the PDL senior football premiership at Mathoura on Saturday, September 12, with the grand final scheduled for 2.05pm.
The A-grade netball decider is also locked in for the same day, with Dookie United to face Deni Rovers.
Dookie secured its place with a thrilling 41-39 upset of minor premier Tungamah on Saturday.
Maddison Dyer was outstanding for the victors with 30 goals, while Chloe Elliott almost dragged Tungamah across the line with a superb 35-goal performance.
Meanwhile, Deni Rovers completed the grand final line-up by defeating Tocumwal 42-35 at Blighty on Sunday.
Abbey Wills led Deni’s scoring with 23 goals, while Ruby Cowley contributed 17 and Carissa Bulmer added two.
Rhiannan Maxwell carried much of Tocumwal’s attacking load with 32 goals, while Adrienne Jones scored two and Keeley Coates one.
It means Mathoura will host two intriguing senior premiership battles: Waaia against Katamatite in the football and Dookie United against Deni Rovers in A-grade netball.
The News photographer Jazzy Johal was at Picola Recreation Reserve to take in the action as Waaia defeated Katandra in the PDL football preliminary final.
