The Berrigan Saints had three teams in qualifying finals over the weekend, across football and netball.
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Winning teams get a week off qualifying for a preliminary final while losing teams join the Saints under-17s playing in semi finals this weekend.
Football
Seniors
The Berrigan Saints seniors travelled to Katandra for the qualifying finals.
The Saints were tasked with taking down the reigning premiers and undefeated Waaia Bombers.
The match started out hot, with both teams entering their own forward 50s at will.
The Saints had their issues in front of goal in the first quarter, scoring 3.4 as Waaia capitalised at the other end to kick 5.1.
The Saints headed into the second term determined to get the game back on their terms, but Waaia showed their finals experience and took control of the play for the remainder of the game.
The Saints were bitterly disappointed in their performance as they ended the game with a sizeable loss.
On the opposite of a disappointing performance was Fraser Haintz, who had one of the all-time great finals performances.
Haintz rolled from half forward, to the midfield and then half back, and left a trail of dominance the whole time.
His repeat efforts and intercept marks were crucial to keeping the Saints within reach.
Tom Whelan again was solid down back, never giving his opponent an inch and making smart decisions with ball in hand.
Olly Hill’s cleanliness on the ball and composure in even the tightest spaces was instrumental in helping the Saints repel the ball from their back half.
Keith Tallent worked extremely hard as always, and found himself on the end of three goals as a reward.
The Saints now shift their focus to this week’s semi final against the Deni Rovers.
The match between Berrigan and Deniliquin takes place in Jerilderie on Saturday, August 30 at 2pm, so let’s make sure to get a huge supporter base of Berrigan Saints there to cheer them on.
Final score: Berrigan 9.10 (64) def by Waaia 18.7 (115).
Fourths
The fourths travelled to Katunga to take on Tocumwal in the second gualifying final.
With both sides taking a win each during the home and away season, it was always going to be a close battle.
The Berrigan boys started the game like lads on a mission, with a fast first centre clearance resulting in a fantastic goal from Dusty Ryan.
This set the tone for an awesome team effort, with the boys playing their best game for the year yet.
Across the whole ground, the team contested for every possession and got results from their hard tackling.
The tackle count for the game was a team best.
Tully Ryan kept his head over the ball and showed his strength in the midfield, refusing to give up all day.
Jack Phillips was tap perfect in the ruck against a larger opponent, helping the team run away with the game in the second half.
Hudson Ware split the forward line open in the second half, slotting three beautiful goals.
He had great support from Will Batten, who got plenty of the ball at key moments.
Jordan Swann’s pace and speed across the ground was unmatched, and attempts to tag him were foiled. He saluted the scoreboard with three majors.
Nick Arnold put on a tackling clinic. His determination paid dividends around the ground.
He is a great role model to all the younger players in the team.
Trey Burns led by example in the backline, helping repel numerous forward approaches from Tocumwal.
Ollie Batten was on fire across the half back line and played his best game for the year.
Every player played their part, sticking to their player and following the game plan.
This resulted in a convincing win to propel the boys into the preliminary final round in two weeks.
Final score: Berrigan 10.12 (72) def Tocumwal 3.5 (23).
Best: Jordan Swann, Nick Arnold, Jack Phillips, Hudson Ware, Dusty Ryan, Trey Burns.
Netball
Under-17s: Berrigan 46 def Jerilderie 31.
Berrigan’s under-17s were greeted with perfect finals conditions for their qualifying Final against close town rival Jerilderie.
It was a hotly contested match from either side from the first whistle, the Saints giving Jerilderie a three to four goal head start.
The Saints quickly took a breath, regrouped and redirected their focus to their game plan.
Scores sat level for the majority of the first and into the second quarter, with a couple of lead changes in between.
Lucy Pyle and Sophie Baxter supported one another through the mid-court, and Rosie Phillips and Maddie Rice’s defensive game and mid-court pressure was as reliable and consistent as always.
Princess Arcasitas’ energetic presence and ball placement across the court was well received with her composed delivery into attack, important at crucial points of the game.
The third quarter was when the young Saints truly found their rhythm.
They were led exceptionally well from captain Charlie Magill in GD, who was a wall of defence.
It was at this point she stopped the ball entering the Demons’ attacking end for three centre passes in a row. It was fantastic to witness, and it set the momentum for the rest of the match.
Gracie Rice continued to display top defensive efforts, even picking off a few mid-air intercepts herself - much to the Berrigan spectators delight.
Circle edge presence was top tier by the Saints in the attacking end.
With Maisie Armer in GA and Sophia Ruby Morgan in GS, ring work and placement was seemingly effortless despite defensive pressure from the Demons.
Our goalies were relentless and persevered with every pass, shot and rebound.
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