Crows fly into grand final
by Davyd Reid
Longwarry have advanced to the Ellinbank District football decider, but not without a challenge from fellow contender Trafalgar.
Trailing the Bloods during the middle periods of the match, the Crows scored three of the final four goals for a come from behind victory.
A raucous Crows crowd helped them clinch it, 11-7 (73) to 9-12 (66).
With Jason Wells back in the side following injury, many eyebrows were raised as Crows coach Darren Granger walked across the field decked out in Crows retro jacket and civvies. He would later take to the field after starting from the bench.
Wells was soon in on the action, converting the first for the Crows from half forward.
Braydon McHugh converted from the flank as the small forwards of the Crows got to work early.
Repeat entries set up the first for Trafalgar, put through by Kyle Beveridge.
The Crows defence started working overtime, forcing to repel several long kicks to Dylan Farrell.
Some push and shove, started by a hit to the ribs of Farrell, landed in a free kick to Trafalgar. The pass found Blake Slater, who put the bloods in front.
Dylan Holland converted after the siren to put the lead back in the hands of the Crows.
The Bloods made their move in the second term, putting through five goals to two to open a handy buffer at the long break.
Danny Brewster offered a fist pump to the crowd as the Bloods took the lead early in the term.
Connor Noonan found space to hit his coach Shane Brewster on the lead.
Wells reacted first to a skied centred ball, his shanked kick marked by Jedd Serong who duly converted from the last line.
William Claridge put through a running snap to restore the buffer, only for Tyler van der Heyden to put through a snap of his own from the pocket to again cut the lead.
Beveridge put through a running checkside before the Bloods made it consecutive goals with Danny Brewster running though to put through another snap.
With the margin out to 16-points, the Bloods were celebrating as Michael Ablett earnt plaudits for a double fisted spoil away from Wells.
The crowd was in full voice to begin the second half, Noonan wasting a chance by pushing his opponent following a mark to reverse the kick.
It saw the ball sent to the other end, with Wells making good of the opportunity.
Serong converted from the flank to edge Longwarry closer, only for Trafalgar to respond as Slater found Nic Caddy in the pocket.
Wells put through the final goal of the term as the Crows cut the margin to just two-points at the final change.
Jace Butler, Hardy Kenny, Caddy, Ablett, Darcy Brock and Danny Brewster were leading the way for the Bloods.
Continuing the push for the Crows were Angus Adamiak, Lachlan Willis, Bailey Stephens, van der Heyden, Cooper Brown and Brandon Allen.
The Bloods curled through a nice goal to begin the final term, before the Crows fired late aided by a raucous crowd.
The Crows found Wells inside to begin a run of three goals in five minutes that would ultimately ice the game.
Serong ran into the open goal after spilling a mark with the strong Crows contingent in the crowd going wild.
Fintan Fox dealt the final blow that would allow the Crows to hold on, putting through a running goal of his left.
