Saints lock in Grand Final berth with win over Eagles

NEWTOWN & Chilwell’s finals run has encountered a slight speedbump with a five-goal defeat at the hands of premiership frontrunners St Mary’s in today’s (Saturday, September 3) Second Qualifying Final at West Oval.

St Mary’s week off proved to have an impact as they garnered a four-goal lead by the main break over the Eagles.

However, Newtown & Chilwell brought back the margin to just four points, trailing 55-51 with a quarter to play.

The Saints kept composed out of three-quarter-time, limiting the Eagles to a sole goal in the final term.

St Mary’s then opened the lid at its end and kicked five goals in the fourth to extend the final winning margin to 30 points, earning consecutive GFL Grand Final slots after its 2019 premiership season.

Patrick Dowling was terrific, kicking four goals, while Tom Lang flourished with three of his own.

Max Augerinos, Harrison Kol, Trent McMillan, Ben Moloney and Charlie Sprague also contributed with majors for St Mary’s.

Charlie and Ned Harris produced for Newtown & Chilwell with two goals each, while Tom Panuccio also finished with a brace. Jordan Walters was Newtown’s only sole goalkicker.

St Mary’s will await the winner of next weekend’s Preliminary Final, while the Eagles face the winner of tomorrow’s Semi-Final between Colac and Leopold next Saturday, September 10.