Ocean Grove pulled off a stunning preliminary final comeback against Torquay to set up a third consecutive grand final appearance against Geelong Amateur this Saturday.
Trailing by five goals at the last break, the Grubbers went on a seven-goal to none scoring spree to start the last term to lead by two with about 10 minutes remaining.
Grove led by three with five minutes left, but would score four of the final six goals to win 54 to 49 and set up a third straight decider against Ammos.
Torquay started slowly, but gained control of the game with some superb defensive work and forced the Grubbers into turnovers and mistakes.
Ocean Grove coach Mel Holmes made some changes at half-time and pushed Zanna Woods into goal shooter and Ashton O’Brien to goal attack. Georgia Ryan swapped positions with Emily Moroney from centre to wing attack.
Defender Amanda O’Malley left the court with an injured ankle with Emma Jones replacing her.
Torquay kept the same structure pretty much throughout.
Tigers shooter Daisy O’Kane caused plenty of headaches with Georgia Berry being moved onto her when O’Malley went off. Berry was one of Grove’s best and just knows when to lift for a big occasion.
At the other end of the court, Woods was a constant threat with 39 goals from 40 attempts while Ryan was busy in midcourt. Bennett scored eight from nine attempts and O’Brien seven from nine in a stunning display of accuracy from Grove’s attack.
Torquay scored its 49 goals from 61 attempts.
In the end Ocean Grove just refused to lose and set up a huge clash against Ammos on Saturday.
The hopes of a three-peat are still alive.
C GRADE
Ocean Grove had its second straight one-goal result, but this time it went the right way with a 29 to 28 win against Barwon Heads.
The Seagulls started brilliantly, but were mown down with the scores level at the half.
Tina Birch scored 10 goals in her 301st game and Grove now and will meet Ammos in the grand final.
E GRADE
A 10 goal to four second term set up E Grade’s 34 to 25 win against Barwon Heads.
The Grubbers take on, you guessed it, Geelong Amateur in the decider.
Emma Barry was a sharpshooter with 26 goals from 29 attempts.
PRELIMINARY FINALS
Saturday September 6, Grinter Reserve, Newcomb
A Grade: Ocean Grove 54 def Torquay 49. Best: Ocean Grove – Zanna Woods, Georgia Berry, Georgia Ryan.
B Grade: Anglesea 49 def Drysdale 35. Best: Drysdale – Isla Cuddy, Annalena Hillier, Emily Quinten.
C Grade: Ocean Grove 29 def Barwon Heads 28
D Grade: Geelong Amateur 30 def Torquay 22. Best: Geelong Amateur – Holly Ellison, Tiaha Holdsworth. Torquay – Andriana Oliver, Zoe Jones, Sophie Delahoy.
E Grade: Ocean Grove 34 def Barwon Heads 25
19 & Under: Portarlington 36 def Geelong Amateur 27. Best – Geelong Amateur – Georgia Howell, Louise Shaw, Danika Cole.
17 & Under Division 1: Geelong Amateur 33 def Torquay 25
17 & Under Division 2: Torquay 21 def Ocean Grove 20. Best: Torquay – Clare Edmonds-Wilson, Lily Franklin, Mackinley Bragge. Ocean Grove – Maggie Drake, Alice Sampson, Alexandra Norgard.
15 & Under Division 1: Torquay 24 def Portarlington 22. Best: Portarlington – Jordyn Allwood, Emilia Evans, Teyana Ihimaera-Smiler.
15 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove 29 def Drysdale 25
13 & Under Division 1: Geelong Amateur 28 def Ocean Grove 18
13 & Under Division 2: Geelong Amateur 26 def Torquay 25
GRAND FINALS
Saturday September 13, Grinter Reserve, Newcomb
A Grade: Geelong Amateur vs Ocean Grove, 3.15pm
B Grade: Geelong Amateur vs Anglesea, 1.05pm
C Grade: Torquay vs Ocean Grove, 11.45am
D Grade: Barwon Heads vs Geelong Amateur, 10.30am
E Grade: Geelong Amateur vs Ocean Grove, 2.05pm
19 & Under: Drysdale vs Portarlington, 10.30am
17 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove vs Geelong Amateur, 9.15am
17 & Under Division 2: Geelong Amateur vs Torquay, 1.05pm
15 & Under Division 1: Geelong Amateur vs Torquay, 11.45am
15 & Under Division 2: Torquay vs Ocean Grove, 8am
13 & Under Division 1: Torquay vs Geelong Amateur, 9.15am
13 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove vs Geelong Amateur, 8.30am
