Mountain Men, Hawks advance in O&K senior finals

Bright and North Wangaratta have come up with the goods in the first week of the Ovens and King Football Netball League finals series, and keep the flag fires burning for another seven days. The Mountain Men pulled one over Moyhu at the North Wangaratta Recreation Reserve on Saturday, putting the Hoppers’ finals hopes in jeopardy in the 7.14 (56) to 4.8 (32) victory. The match was incredibly tightly contested early doors, but neither team seemed to have their goalkicking shoes on as both teams had kicked five behinds each by half-time, 3.5 to 1.5. Bright started to get the better of the momentum, and could’ve put the game away had their forwards converted on the chances. Bernie Ruaro had a particularly rough day in front of the sticks, finishing with 1.8. Ultimately, Moyhu didn’t win enough of the footy and failed on transition out of defence, while the Mountain Men gave their forwards more than enough opportunities to score. Levi Young was best on ground for Bright, the only multiple goalkicker for the day with two, while Michael Elliott impressed on his first game back from concussion. For Moyhu, Nathan Gamble and Charlie Gibson fought hard all day, alongside Jared Lea, Paddy McNamara, and Dylan Carmody. Bright will face Whorouly next week for a spot in the grand final. Meanwhile, Sunday saw the Hawks end Greta’s hopes for glory at the Whorouly Recreation Reserve, with North Wangaratta dominating in the 20.13 (133) to 9.6 (60) win in their elimination final. The Blues couldn’t seem to buy a goal until the second term when Ben Hogan kicked true, but they left plenty of other opportunities go begging. Meanwhile at the other end, the Hawks were raining the goals, with Eden White (six goals) and Damien Bradley (five goals) dominating inside forward 50. Hawks ruckman Aaron Cheong exerted his presence through the second term, giving his mids first use as they ran out to a 37-point lead by the half. Greta’s Paul Fruzynski and Josh Bell tried to holdup in defence, but the Blues were let down across half forward, missing that last kick to set up a shot on goal. The Hawks face Moyhu next weekend, with the loser’s season officially ended.