RAND-Walbundrie-Walla will make their first finals appearance as a merged entity after stitching up sixth spot with a 31-point victory over Murray Magpies at Walla on Saturday.
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After breaking even against the breeze in the opening quarter, the Giants opened up a handy break in the second quarter and were never headed.
Coach Myles Aalbers said the Giants would take some confidence into the finals after impressive wins over CDHBU and the Murray Magpies in the past fortnight.
“It’s a great achievement making the finals considering we only came together in early March, 2016,” Aalbers said.
“A lot of people have put in plenty of work around the club.
“We have had some ups and downs this year, but the last two weeks have been really good and the boys are keen to give a good account of themselves against Henty next week.
“It’s exciting.”
The Giants played with 17 players for most of the opening quarter after Todd Miller was yellow-carded following a clash with Magpie forward Trent Logue.
He will face the tribunal this week.
But the home team was equal to the task with Nick Turner outstanding in attack with six goals, Tom Simmons, Luke Emmerton and Brian Lieschke providing rebound from defence and Chris Hutchinson and Ryan Lavery in everything in the midfield.
Azzi medal favourite Daniel Maher picked up plenty of touches for the visitors, with support coming from Ben Clements and Adam Lawrence.
Jindera inflicted Osborne’s first loss of the season when the Bulldogs stormed home to defeat their opponents by seven points at Osborne.
The never-day-die Bulldogs kicked five goals to none in the final quarter with Rhys Preston, Mitch Lawrence, Sam Crawshaw and Mitch Dempsey in everything.
“It was a funny old day with not a lot riding on the match, but it’s always good to win as it gives you a bit of self-belief ahead of the finals,” coach Kerry Bahr said.
“Osborne had players missing and so did we.”
Duncan McMaster was best for Osborne in the absence of top-liners including Matt Clarke, Andrew Johnston, Hayden Gleeson and Trent Haddrill.
Lockhart completed a strong second-half of the season by edging out Holbrook by six points at Holbrook.
The Demons notched up their fifth win through the efforts of Blake Jones, Jordan Harrington, Thomas Godde and Luke Hawkins.
Holbrook, who were best served by ruckman Aaron Baker, lost its last six matches of the season to finish 10th on the ladder.
Brocklesby-Burrumbuttock defeated Howlong by 62 points at Howlong.
After a tight first-half, the Saints took over through Jarod Koschitzke, Luke Schilg, Ron Boulton and Tyson Bradsworth to gain some confidence for next weekend’s final against Culcairn.
Matt McDonald played well for Howlong.
Culcairn defeated CDHBU by 36 points and Henty took the opportunity to rest several players in its 20-point win over Billabong Crows.
