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RAND-Walbundrie is one win away from a drought-breaking flag after scoring a dominant 39-point victory over Howlong in their preliminary final clash at Walbundrie on Saturday.
The Tigers’ 18.12 (120) to 11.15 (81) was not only the club’s first finals win since merging in 2006 but most important since Walbundrie last made the grand final in 1991.
The merged identity has never played in a grand final with finals appearances in 2006 and 2009 — which they lost both — the previous highest finish.
Before the merger, Walbundrie won its most recent flag in 1989 with Rand last tasting the ultimate success in 1946.
Tigers’ coach Daniel Athanitis said it was a huge relief to finally make a grand final after finishing minor premier with a 16-2 record.
“It was important to rebound strongly after playing poorly in the second semi-final and a relief to know we are finally into a decider,” Athanitis said.
“It’s a good reward for not only the players but all the dedicated people around the club who work tirelessly behind the scenes.
“I have enormous belief in the group and we are ready for the challenge ahead.
“We had a lot more contributors on the weekend which was the biggest difference.
“We will go in against Henty confident that our best is good enough to beat anyone.
“It wasn’t the end of the world losing the second semi-final and I think we learnt a lot more about ourselves by losing than we would have by winning.”
The match started with plenty of intriguing match-ups.
But it was the Tigers who swung the first big surprise when defender Brendan Simmons was handed the tough job of curtailing Spider big man Josh Dicketts.
While many predicted Eastlake recruit Tim Gray would get the match-up on the dangerous Dicketts, Gray instead lined-up across half-forward in a bid to stretch the Spiders’ undermanned defence.
The tactic paid dividends with Gray named the Tigers best after providing a strong marking target and booting two goals.
He narrowly shaded Simmons who restricted Dicketts to four goals and forced the big Spider to get a lot of his possessions outside 50 metres, for best on ground honours.
The Tigers’ defence was under immense pressure in the opening term but Simmons, Justin Dickson and Brian Lieschke stood tall and rushed several behinds as the Spiders finished with 3.9 for the term.
Howlong lost James Eastoe early in the quarter with a strained hamstring and despite trying to come back on had little impact.
After quite matches last week, Josh Warren-Marmo and Mark Kimball returned to form in sensational fashion.
Warren-Marmo took his season tally to 93 goals after booting six while Kimball’s slick ball use was instrumental in setting up the victory.
Athanitis said the Tigers had emerged unscathed on the injury front.
Henty last won the flag in 1996.