FINALS ARE HERE

Finals fever is here, for the Premier clubs it all starts next week whilst for the Divisions and Unders, many finals started today. 
Premier positions were confirmed last week so for the finalists it was practice before the big dance and the others a farewell to season 2012. Old Carey will rue the loss to Old Scotch a fortnight ago as they won their final two games including today’s match against third placed De La Salle by 14 points, Damian Yze’s three goals took him to 56 for the year to be top of the sharpshooters in Premier. Old Trinity spoiled the party for Caulfield Grammarians who leave their year sojourn to Premier section without a win. Old Trinity will also rue their loss to Uni Blues a fortnight ago but will celebrate the fact that Andrew ‘Rambo’ Ramsden returned to the side to finish with three goals that sees the veteran share the goal kicking title with Yze. Old Scotch on the other hand tuned up for the finals with a 38 point win over St Bernards. Lach Hill slotted 5 goals for the Cardinals as they enter finals full of confidence. Uni Blues were looking to break a losing streak at Brindisi Street but couldn’t hold on to their 14 point three quarter time lead against St Bedes/Mentone Tigers. The Tigers kicked five goals to none in the final quarter to win by 19 points, Darcy Holden kicked five for the winners. In the second semi final preview Collegians secured a 10 point win and a possible psychological advantage over Old Xaverians at Toorak Park. It was a fantastic game of footy, the teams exchanged the lead multiple times before Collegians kicked two goals in a row at the end to hold on and win.  Do yourselves a favour and check out the mark of the year that wasn’t on VAFA TV later this week. 
In Premier B there were faint hopes of some changes to the ladder but all would be snuffed out by Old Melburnians who sent a message to Beaumaris that they are ready with a 77 point win over Oakleigh at the Junction Oval, with Cam Beck slotting eight goals. The win assures OM’s of finals and confirmed Oakleigh would depart Premier B with just 3 wins from season 2012. Beaumaris held on for a 10 point win over AJAX in a high scoring game where David Fayman kicked eight goals for the home side and Tom Buckley kicked five for the winners. Old Haileybury did everything they needed to do to try to make finals but the OM’s win sealed their fate. It doesn’t stop the Bloods celebrating the end to the season in style after a 52 point drubbing of second placed St Kevins. Uni Blacks are clear premiership favourites and their 132 point win over Old Ivanhoe doesn’t douse those expectations at all. Jordan Foster kicked seven goals and host of others kick three each. Finally Old Brighton can also celebrate the end to their season with a  win over Werribee Districts by 27 points. Tom Mentiplay nailed 10 majors in a virtuoso performance. 
Premier C had the most riding on it in terms of potential movements in the table. Mazenod have secured finals with a 38 point win over Parkdale Vultures to finish fourth. Chamath Jayaweera kicked five for the Nodders. PEGS did everything they had to as well but the result of Mazenod cost them a place in the four on percentage. This despite a 79 point win over Monash Blues. Old Camberwell need both PEGS and Mazenod to lose to be any chance. Old Camberwell also saluted although they were made to work in their four point win over Rupertswood. Leigh Brennan kicked six in a losing side. Marcellin needed to defeat Banyule by a large margin to try and secure second spot and the double chance, they saluted by 35 points. Unfortunately for the Eagles, Fitzroy put 32 goals past Hampton Rovers to move into second place on percentage. The Roys kicked 32.22 with Scott Cations kicking six and in their 188 point win. 
In Division 1 the second semi-final between minor premier NOBs/St Pats and second placed Peninsula was an absolute classic. Peninsula jumped to an 11 point half time lead. The Pirates still led by 10 at three quarter time but couldn’t hold on as NOBs/St Pats kicked a couple late goals to secure a two point win, promotion to the big dance and a jump to Premier C for season 2012. Peninsula now wait for the winner of the first semi final played at Sportscover Arena between Whitefriars and Old Geelong tomorrow.
In Division 2 Bulleen Templestowe played Eltham Collegians at Bill Lawry Oval in Northcote for the right to progress to the Grand Final. Bulleen Templestowe will spend just the one season back in Division 2 as they comfortably accounted for Eltham by 59 points. The passage to the Grand Final earns them a week’s rest and the knowledge that they can have another crack at Division 1 football next year. Prahran Assumption and Old Paradians play tomorrow at Central Reserve for the right to meet Eltham Old Collegians in a Preliminary Final. 
Division 3 has a final five with Yarra Valley earning the right to a rest this week it leaves four teams to battle it out. Aquinas and Kew play at Box Hill City Oval in a do or die Elimination Final tomorrow. Ivanhoe and UHS-VU play a Qualifying Final at the same time at Bill Lawry Oval tomorrow. 
Division 4’s second semi final was a repeat of the round 18 fixture which saw Swinburne Uni pip South Mornington by a point. The Tigers reversed that result to win by a goal over Swinburne at Scammell Reserve. Errant kicking cost the Tiger a more comfortable passage but they are now take respite for a week and can look forward to Division 3 football next year.  Tomorrow the first semi is also at Scammell between Point Cook and Eley Park Sharks.