Sport
31 August, 2024
Harrow Balmoral grand final-bound after 82-point win | HDFNL finals
Harrow Balmoral beat the Swifts at Edenhope.
The Harrow Balmoral Southern Roos have claimed victory in the HDFNL semi finals, beating the Swifts, 18.7 (115) - 4.9 (33) , to book their place in the 2024 grand final on Saturday, September 14 at Stawell's North Park.
With strong winds and low temperatures, it was the defending premiers who stood tall by controlling the midfield and shutting down the Baggies star full forward Paul Summers.
Harrow Balmoral's senior football coach Jai Thompson said his side is 'stoked' to pick up the strong result.
"We wanted to come out with a really good mindset," Thompson said.
"We want to continue hunting teams, and raising the bar to keep getting better and better.
"I think we came out a played a great style of footy today right from the start"
With the wind at their backs in the opening quarter the Southern Roos were quick to take control of the match.
"Instead of playing it defensive and kicking it to the side where the wind was blowing, we tried to attack the clubroom side and get a run and carry game going and really stretch their defence," Thompson said.
Shutting down Paul Summers at the Swifts full forward was something Thompson had said was important in the lead up to the weekend's semi final clash.
"He's kicked too many goals this year to not put time into him," Thompson said.
"He's a fantastic player, but we backed our fullback [Clinton Robinson] in, he did a fantastic job.
"But as a team effort, putting pressure up the ground, not allowing them to get easy kicks out and being able to float back off an opponent and make it a two vs one goes a long way to be able to shut him out of the game."
Despite the margin, Thompson commended the challenge the Swifts brought to the semi final.
"They're a bloody good team," he said.
"They were lacking a little bit of that midfield drive with [Ryan] folkes out, he's been a really important part of their team.
"I just think we moved the ball really, really well, and our skill level really showed out,compared to what they brought on the day."
Thompson also mentioned the wind would have made it difficult for the Swifts to use their tall forwards.
The Swifts season is not yet over, the black, white and teal head to the Natimuk Showgrounds on Saturday, September 7, for a preliminary final play off with either Noradjuha Quantong or Pimpinio.
The winner of that fixture will then go on to join Harrow Balmoral in the 2024 HDFNL grand final.
Elsewhere in Saturday's semi finals, the Swifts reserve side beat Noradjuha Quantong, 5.4 (34) - 3.12 (30).
In the under 17s, Pimpinio dominated Natimuk United, winning 12.10 (82) - 3.12 (30).
And, in the under-14s, Noradjuha Quantong beat Kalkee 7.4 (46) - 5.1 (31).