THE Ultima Kangaroos bound their way into the Golden Rivers senior footy final as they dominated Saturday’s preliminary final with Moulamein.
The Kangaroos and Swans clash at Wandella Football Netball Club.
Although it had finished second on an 11-4 record in the 16-round home-and-away series, Ultima had been beaten in the previous two clashes with the Swans by eight and 45 points.
Ultima was also on the rebound from a 25-point loss to Hay in the second semi-final.
The Swans kicked off their finals campaign by winning the first semi against Murrabit by 33 points.
In the preliminary final, Ultima raced to a 30-2 lead by quarter-time.
The Kangaroos then won the second, 27-15, to hold a 40-point buffer by the long break.
Ultima won the next two terms, 16-7, and 25-13.
By the final siren the Kangaroos were up 98-37 and into another season decider.
Ultima’s attack was led by Ryan Devereux on four goals as Jake Foster and Corey Grey slotted two majors.
The Kangaroos also had Thomas Bull, Dustin Burns, Jack Delmenico, Josh Dwyer, Thomas Isma and Cameron Johnson on target.
Moulamein’s attack was led by Adam Saunders with two goals as Matt Edwards, Kaleb Richards and Morgan Turvey kicked one each.
Best for Ultima were co-coach Mitch Seton-Stewart, Thomas Isma, Cameron Johnson, Josh Dwyer, Jake Foster and Thomas Bull.
The Kangaroos also have Kyle Symons as co-coach.
Moulamein’s best were Josh Wills, Blake Launer, Will Gibson, Trae Atkinson, George Austin and Ely Miller.
The Swans were jointly coached by Brodie Tonkin and Hayden Dalitz.
Last September it was Ultima which celebrated a one-point victory in the grand final against the Hay Lions.
In 2023 it was Hay which won its first senior premiership since the 1995 season.
The Lions are coached by Jason Aylett and James Moran this season.
Murrabit fought from two points down at the start of the final quarter to win the reserves preliminary final with Hay by seven points.
Scores were locked on 14-all at quarter-time before Hay won the second term, 10-7.
The Lions led 32-30 going into the final term.
As Murrabit scored 2.2 in the last, Hay rued missed shots as it added five behinds.
At the final siren the Blues were up 44-37.
Goalkickers for Murrabit were Josh Bray, Riley Carse, Toby Gray, Archer McKnight and Brody Palmer.
Hay’s attack was led by Tyson Conn with two goals as Brad Callaghan and Hilton Hargreaves added one.
Best for Murrabit were Riley Carse, Nathan Morrow, Brody Palmer, Justin Davies, Darcy Gillen and Rhys Carmichael.
Hay’s best were Angus Gardiner, William Auldist, Josh Gardiner, James Eddy, Tim Zambon and Simon Darlow.
It will be the Kangaroos and Blues from Ultima and Murrabit in next Saturday’s grand final.
Both teams met in the second semi-final which went Ultima’s way, 76-48.
The Bombers from Wandella cruised into the under-18s grand final after a 35-point victory against Ultima in the preliminary final.
Neither team scored in the first quarter and it was 10-all by half-time.
Wandella won the third term, 19-8, and then added another four goals as it kept the Kangaroos to a tally of two behinds in the last quarter.
At the final siren the Bombers were up 55-20.
Seth Rowe kicked five goals in a best-on-ground performance as Jaspa Chamberlain, Blake Greenwood and Jardal Simons were also on target for the red and black.
Ultima’s goalkickers were Ryder Condely and John Eade.
Best for Wandella were Seth Rowe, Harvey Macri, Laing Waddingham, Sam Hollingworth, Seth Hall and Jardal Simons.
Ultima’s best were Jaz Davison, Riley Hender, Archie Frost, Maddox Hyland, Kodyn Melbourne and Nate Keam.
The Bombers will now tackle Macorna for premiership glory.
In the second semi-final it was the Tigers who dominated play to win 152-21 on Hay’s turf.
Hay dominated the under-15 clash with Macorna.
In the clash of the Lions and Tigers it was Hay which charged into a grand final showdown with Murrabit.
The Lions led 16-nil at quarter-time of the preliminary final and held a seven-goal buffer by the long break.
After scoring just one goal in the third term, Hay slammed on five in the last quarter to complete an 80-nil victory.
Alex Giddins led the Lions’ attack on five goals as Archie Auldist, Bill and Harry Houston, Max Hutchings, Noa Koroi and Ned Williamson were also on target.
Best for Hay were Max Hutchings, Alex Giddins, Kyper Woods, Bill Houston, Nash and Kobe Payne.
Macorna’s best were Jacoby Tonkin, Elliot Warren, Harrison Pearson, Archer Lacy, Jobe Anset and Ollie Wishart.
The second semi-final between Murrabit and Hay ended in a 40-12 win for the Blues in the Lions’ den.
Schedule for Saturday’s grand finals at Macorna Recreation Reserve:
Under-15s at 8.55am: Murrabit v Hay.
Under-18s at 10.15am: Macorna v Wandella.
Reserves at 12.15pm: Ultima v Murrabit.
Seniors at 2.30pm: Hay v Ultima.