Lancaster overpowered late in qualifying final

The match began with scarce goalmouth action as an expected arm-wrestle played out, Lancaster kicking the opening goal before Nagambie booted two in a row to take a 16-7 lead into quarter-time.

The Lakers stretched their lead out to 15 early in the second before each side had a dominant period to close out the first half.

The Wombats suddenly took control, booting four consecutive majors to overturn the deficit and lead 34-23.

But Nagambie hit back immediately with its own three-goal run to take a 6.6 (42) to 5.4 (34) advantage into half-time.

Neither side was able to put together a strong full quarter in the first half, but that changed when Lancaster started to take control in the third quarter.

The Wombats booted three of the four majors in the term, putting themselves up 52-49 entering the fourth period.

“It was our defensive efforts that really got us going there,” Lancaster coach Nick Ryan said.

“We defended some really dangerous areas and took some things away from them, and from there we controlled the footy a lot better and got the footy to the outside.

“It was the best our footy looked in transition for the whole game.”

But another momentum swing would occur in the final quarter as the Lakers stormed home to victory.

After each side kicked a goal at the beginning of the period, Nagambie flexed its muscles with four in a row, and saw the game out down the stretch to record a 12.9 (81) to 10.6 (66) triumph.

Ryan said his side went away from what worked in the third, giving up some key areas of the ground and allowing unforced errors to creep into its game.

“We were sort of beaten by what we know in the end, there wasn't too many surprises thrown at us,” he said.

“Obviously, they (Nagambie) performed quite well, as did we.

“I think our performance across the board was pretty strong, we just didn't quite get the chocolates in the end, [and] just had a few things that we didn't capitalise on as well, whereas they did.”

Zac Cerrone was Lancaster’s most prolific ball winner on the day, especially having a big impact during the third term once he was moved into the midfield.

Ryan also highlighted the efforts of Logan Demasi off half-back, Thomas Davies’ contested work, and Charlie McLay’s defensive work at stoppages.

Lancaster has now lost both of its meetings with the Lakers this season, having gone down by four goals when the sides met back in round 12.

As a result of their qualifying final loss, the Wombats were condemned to a preliminary encounter this weekend against Murchison-Toolamba.

The Grasshoppers eliminated Avenel in the other final played last weekend, storming to a 41-point victory in the final quarter.

Having faced off against Murchison in a thrilling grand final last year, which Lancaster lost by just two points, Ryan is looking forward to another edition of the rivalry.

“I think we both know how each other play and watching them last week, not too much has changed,” he said.

“But in saying that, they're a completely different beast than Nagambie to take on, so we've really got to focus our energy into different areas of the ground than what we were on the weekend.”

The coach added that the Wombats have no suspensions or major injuries for the game, with Lancaster expected to be at full strength.