Tara Murray
The Hume City Broncos are the first team through to the Big V men’s championship grand final, after stunning Wyndham at home on Saturday night.
After a strong win in the first week of the finals, the Broncos took plenty of confidence into the semi final at Eagle Stadium.
The Broncos jumped out of the blocks and led 8-0, before Wyndham took control and led throughout the rest of the rest quarter and the next two quarters.
The Broncos started to take control of the game late in the third quarter and finally hit the lead again with 5.11 left on the clock in the final quarter.
From there it was all the Broncos, as they came away with a 93-82 win.
Broncos coach Matt Foster said they were relieved to have got through to the grand final at the first chance.
“It feels good,” he said. “It’s a bit of pressure off not having to play next week and get the win there.
“They made some shots like they do, ran us down the court and we were fortunate that the guys were able to turn it around a little bit, come up with some big stops and a few of them came up with some big baskets.”
Foster said for them in the last quarter and half it was about making the most of their opportunities while limiting Wyndham’s.
He said only in the last 20 seconds of the game he was comfortable that they had done enough to get the win.
“We came up with some big plays,” he said. “Some offensive rebounds and then defensive rebounds.
“In the first half we were giving up defensive rebounds and they were getting second shots and you can’t give Wyndham second shots, as they make them.
“It was about giving them one opportunity and running back at them with some big plays.
“When it’s closer shots tend to not drop as much, unless you have the momentum and we had a bit of momentum.”
Troyce Manasse top scored with 33 points, as five players scored double figures.
Manasse was one of the key signings for the Broncos this season, as they looked to provide more support for Chris Elder.
“We think we have 13 guys to do different jobs for us at different times,” Foster said. “Different games suit different players.
“Eli [Elijah-Taye Saifaleu] came in and had some huge minutes and some huge shots. Chris Kaba came back and had some big baskets.
“Troyce was fantastic for a few mines there and Euro [Elder] doesn’t get the recognition he deserves half the time. He played the full game on Maurice [Howard] and kept Maurice quiet as much as you can to keep him quiet.”
The Broncos now have the week off and will face the winner of the preliminary final between Wyndham and the McKinnon Cougars.
It will be the second grand final that Foster has led the side to, having coached the side in their loss to McKinnon in 2019.
It was a big night for the Broncos, with their youth league 1 men’s side beating Wyndham in the grand final, 91-76.
Hayden McIntosh top scored with 28 points.
