BY NATHAN DOLE
A WOODEN spooner in ’22, Ultima is a win away from being this year’s senior footy premier in the Golden Rivers competition.
Ultima took on and outplayed Moulamein in the second half of last Saturday’s second semi-final at Ultima.
The Roos led 37-29 at half-time and then scored 4.2 to 1.2 in the crucial third term.
Ultima’s intensity and run did not drop significantly in the last as it won the term, 32-14, and the match, 95-51.
Kade Benfield and Jake Foster led Ultima’s on three goals each.
Corey Grey kicked two goals as Sam Coffey, Ryan Devereux, Jamie Nicholas, Sean O’Reilly, Jacob Schaper and Kyle Symons also featured on the goalkicking list.
Moulamein’s attack was led by Corey Farrell on two.
Other goalkickers for the Swans were Nathan Buckley, Anthony Daw, Amos Farrell, Josh Flight and Andy Silva.
Best for Ultima were Mitch Makepeace, Caillum Brady, Mitchell Seton-Stewart, Darcy Farrell, Will Nelson and Jake Foster.
Zac Cockayne, Kaylem Hartley, Cody Storm, Will Gibson, Grant Kaylock and Rodney Reeves were Moulamein’s best.
The Swans will now tackle Hay in next Saturday’s preliminary final at Macorna from 2.40pm.
Ultima’s next hit-out will be the September 16 grand final at Murrabit against the Swans or Lions.
The Kangaroos are also through to the reserves grand final after a 35-point win against Macorna in the second semi-final.
Ultima led 23-20 at half-time and then scored 3.3 to a goal in the third quarter.
The Kangaroos were full of run in the last as they added 3.6 to 1.1 for a 68-33 result.
Goalkickers for Ultima were Braydon Ottrey and Aydan Symons, two; Billy Delmenico, Riley Haberman, Quinn Grey, Luke O’Toole and Lachie Paull.
Tristan McIntosh kicked two goals for Macorna as Melayke Comer, Jack and Stephen Randall added one.
Best for Ultima were Sam Hinton, Riley Haberman, Reece Harberger, Stuart Polkinghorne, Jordan King and Phillip Bennett.
Macorna’s best were Josh Berryman, Reegan O’Rourke, John Officer, Luke Spalding, Ryan Dee and Jordan Simpson.
The Tigers will play Wandella in Saturday’s preliminary final from 12.35pm.
The under-17 ½ second semi-final also went Ultima’s way after the Kangaroos defeated Macorna, 9.10 (64) to 4.5 (29).
Ultima dominated the first half of the contest and its goalkicking accuracy was a highlight.
The Kangaroos kicked four goals straight in the first term, and three straight in the second to lead 42-8 by the main break.
Macorna fought back in the second half.
The Tigers scored 3.3 and held Ultima to a tally of 3.4.
It was a superb match by Sam Miller as he kicked eight goals for Ultima in a best on ground performance.
The Roos also had Rory Bell and Parker Condely on target.
Goalkickers for Macorna were Darcy Cullen, Lachlan Farrell, Blake Forster and Rawley Nicholson.
Ultima’s best were Sam and Jack Miller, Ed Kuchel, Zac O’Brien, Parker and Ryder Condely.
Broden Wishart, Alby Bear, Rawley Nicholson, Blake Forster, Will Canham and Will Meharry worked hard for the yellow and black.
Macorna takes on Moualmein in next Saturday’s preliminary final at 10.45am.
Wandella won through to the under-14 ½ grand final after a 32-26 result against Macorna in the second semi.
The Bombers led seven-nil at quarter-time, but Macorna hit back to score two goals and held Wandella to a point the second.
Two goals by the red and black as Macorna added 1.1 meant Wandella led 20-19 going into the final quarter.
The Bombers won the last term, 12-7.
Goalkickers for Wandella were Jaspa Chamberlain, two; Ned Crellin, Alby Lancaster and Seth Rowe.
The Tigers’ attack was led by Jaxon O’Rourke, two; Cooper Carmichael and Oakley Tonkin.
Best for Wandella were Seth Towe, Charlie Greenwood, Jaspa Chamberlain, Jack McClelland, Oscar Greenwood and James Williamson.
Ewan Ray, Jacoby Tonkin, Cooper Carmichael, Will Longstaff, Jaxon O’Rourke and Oakley Tonkin played well for the yellow and black.
Macorna will be on home turf to play Ultima in the preliminary final from 9.35am next Saturday.