Saints, Tigers and Swans off to the big dance

ST MARY’S and South Barwon have bounced back from Week 1 finals defeats and Torquay’s upset of Drysdale rounded out Sunday’s preliminary finals action at McDonald Reserve.

The Saints, Swans and Tigers secured grand final spots over the weekend with all three winners to descend on St Joseph’s Herne Hill Reserve this Sunday to compete for premiership hardware.

Last Sunday’s proceedings began with an impressive showing from Division 3’s South Barwon against North Geelong.

The Swans held North Geelong scoreless in the opening term while kicking two goals of their own during that span.

South Barwon allowed just one goal from the Magpies over the next three quarters on the back of Chloe Cox’s seven-goal haul.

Ayesha Nicholson, Daisy Wilson, and Ginger Puckett were also standouts for the Swans as they ran away with a 9.9.63 to 1.3.9 thumping of North Geelong.

South Barwon gets its chance at redemption when they take on Anglesea, falling four points of the Roos during the qualifying final last week.

The midday showdown between Drysdale and Torquay in Division 2 went the way of the latter.

The Tigers secured an unlikely win over the Hawks after a slow first quarter, outkicking Drysdale seven goals to one following the quarter-time break.

In true Torquay fashion, six different goalkickers blitzed Drysdale’s defence, securing a premiership date for the yellow and black, defeating the Hawks 8.9.57 to 2.6.18.

Torquay coach Josie Smith will have a difficult couple of days ahead as she prepares a plan to knock over St Joseph’s in the Division 2 decider on Sunday, at Drew Oval.

The third of three preliminary finals at McDonald Reserve hosted two cornerstone Geelong-based clubs, as St Mary’s began its clash with a flurry over Grovedale.

The Saints’ defence provided dividends on the scoreboard which the Tigers held scoreless through 30 minutes of play.

After amassing a mere nine-point lead at half-time, St Mary’s ran away with the game, eventually defeating Grovedale 5.15.45 to 2.1.13.

Sunday’s women’s grand final day at Herne Hill Reserve is scheduled to feature the Division 1 (Drew Oval), Division 2 (Drew Oval) and Division 3 (Walker Oval) deciders at 2.45pm, 12.25pm and 12.40pm, respectively.