KOROIT will take confidence from its 25-point win over fellow finals hopeful North Warrnambool Eagles into the grand final rematch with Warrnambool.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sam Dobson kicked seven goals for a second straight week as the Saints consigned the Eagles to their second loss of the season.
Koroit, now primed for a tilt at reigning premier Warrnambool, set up its 14.9 (93) to 9.14 (68) win over the Eagles in the first term.
The Saints kicked 4.5 and kept the usually-potent Eagles’ forward line scoreless.
Koroit coach Adam Dowie said the Saints held firm as the Eagles tried to claw themselves back into the contest.
“In the last quarter we got out to a five-goal lead and they kicked three in a row and got it back to 14 points,” he said.
“We felt we had the game on our terms but they kept coming.”
Dowie said Dobson was terrific and was full of praise for the Saints’ defence, particularly Dallas Mooney, Daniel Harrington and Chris McLaren, who is set to play his 250th game against the Blues.
“Our back line played their best game of the year,” Dowie said.
North Warrnambool Eagles coach Bernard Moloney said the Saints’ ball use and pressure was too much for the Eagles.
But he praised his side’s determination and desire.
“Koroit were very good. In the first quarter they set up a very good zone and we had great difficulty getting through,” Moloney said. “We tried to kick our way through rather than run through it.
“In the other quarters we ran through it but I thought Koroit’s ball use was better than ours.”
Moloney credited Jordan Dillon for his efforts in the ruck.
Meanwhile, Portland consigned Camperdown to its fifth consecutive loss.
The Tigers kicked 11 goals to two in the second half, emerging 16.20 (116) to 7.13 (55) winners at their Hanlon Park fortress.
Portland started strongly, kicking five unanswered goals in the first quarter, before Camperdown turned the tables in the second period.
But it was all one-way traffic after half-time.
Teenage Tiger Jay Moody returned from injury to kick four goals, while Pies defender Nick Bateman moved forward and slotted four of their seven goals.
Defender Luke Van Heugten was the Tigers’ best and Jack Williams took the honour for the besieged Magpies.