After Mitch Grant kicked the first goal of the game for the Roos following a holding-the-ball free kick, the Cougars controlled most of the play, but were unable to capitalise on the scoreboard, kicking 1.7 in the first term.
The match remained close throughout the next two quarters, with Kaniva-Leeor United’s backline, led by the intercept marking of swingman Blake Dodson, offering the Roos few avenues to goal.
The Cougars’ star midfield trio of Josh Clayton, Mike Manteit and Tyler Roos also pushed deep into defence to help win the ball, but the team struggled to generate scores of its own.
“It was a really tight game. They came out and kicked the first and then we had a lot of opportunities and just couldn’t convert,” Cougars co-coach Jonno Hicks said.
“I was a bit nervous about giving Harrow-Balmoral a chance – they obviously know how to play finals football and when you don’t convert your opportunities it can come back to bite you.
“But we were lucky enough that it stayed tight until three-quarter time, and then the ball bounced our way a couple of times in the last quarter and we managed to get a few more forward entries and get on top right at the end of the game.”
Kaniva-Leeor’s spread in attack paid dividends in the last quarter, as co-coach Jacob Eats struck twice while Patrick Munn and James Gurney-Wellington added singles to break the game open in an eight-minute burst.
The Roos fought on until the final siren, but were unable to get themselves back in the match, eventually losing 11.11 (77) to 6.10 (46).
Hicks paid tribute to the reigning premiers after the match.
“They’ve got a seriously quality onball brigade. They’re a good contested team and they win the footy,” he said.
“They know what to do to get the job done and obviously they’ve been premiers for the last few years for a reason.
“So we just had to make sure we competed across the ground. It was great to have our midfield be able to compete with theirs and our back line stood up really well.
“To Harrow’s credit, they really slowed us down.
“We were hoping we’d get more run and drive through the middle of the ground, but they hemmed us in really well.
“We couldn’t break the game open and it made it really tough for our forwards.
“I know they were a bit undermanned. They had some of their top-end stars out, especially in the forward half, so the effort from them was really impressive.”
The Cougars will now turn their attention to a preliminary final against minor premier Noradjuha-Quantong, after the Bombers lost their second semi-final to Laharum at Rupanyup on Saturday.
While Demon key forward Jack Fenner once again stuffed the stat sheet with eight goals, it was the work of Laharum’s defenders that was most impressive in the 10.9 (69) to 7.9 (51) win.
The Bombers had plenty of forward entries, but Todd Heynen and Patrick MacDonough took numerous relieving marks in defence for the Demons.
Laharum coach Robbie Miller credited his entire team’s willingness to apply defensive pressure for helping to slow down the high-scoring Bombers.
“It was a bit of a grind of a game. I think our pressure slowly wore them down during the game and came up trumps in the end, so it was good to get the reward,” he said.
“We like to pride ourselves on being an extremely difficult side to score against.
“Our backs are so well structured and probably don’t get the recognition they deserve. They battle week in, week out.”
Miller said his team would benefit from a week off before the grand final, with the Demons’ self-belief at an all-time high.
“We know our football and our game plan stacks up against the best sides, and that if we stick to what we’re trying to do and not alter too much, that it will click at some stage,” he said.
“There’s a lot to go into between now and the grand final, so we’ll make sure everyone’s got the right approach and their bodies are right.
“We’re being very diligent with our recovery, all going together and making sure we’re enjoying each other’s company and the camaraderie of the fortnight leading into it.
“We’ll make sure we’re all right and ready to rock and roll.”
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