Roxburgh Park and Jacana will do battle for the second time in three weeks after their respective finals results in division 2 of the Essendon District Football League.
The Magpies were disappointing in Saturday’s second semi-final against Hadfield. Held goalless in the first quarter and with only two goals to three-quarter-time, the Magpies were comprehensively beaten 16.14 (110) – 7.12 (54).
The previous time the two sides met, the Magpies inflicted Hadfield’s only loss for the season.
Saturday’s win takes Hadfield straight to the grand final.
The Magpies will now meet the Jaguars, who are flying high on emotions after a roller coaster ride to their first finals appearance since 2001.
Not just happy with making finals, the Jaguars overcame a second-quarter slump against Moonee Valley to take a 15.6 (96) – 10.17 (77) victory at the weekend.
Jaguars coach Aaron Collins said anything now was a bonus.
“We weren’t expected to go this far so to get a win is amazing,” he said. “Anything after this is a bonus.
“We’ve had massive support and everyone has jumped on the journey. The supporters helped get us over the line.”
Collins said he spoke to his players about the second-quarter slump which saw them trail by 14 points at half-time.
“We went away from our structures and when that happens we tend to get scored against,” he said.
“I made the point at half-time and they acknowledged it and from then on we controlled the game.”
When they led at three-quarter-time, the Jaguars were confident of the win, despite their lack of finals experience.
“I just told the boys to settle down and not blaze away,” Collins said.
“We kicked two goals against the breeze. The game against Hadfield [when they lost a close one] taught us a lot. We learnt from our mistakes.”
Collins said the backline led the way.
“Paul Cluney at full-back was fantastic, as was the rest of the backline,” he said.
“When our backline plays well we generally get the win.
“Chris Johnson was good after half-time and Beau Naim was really strong in the middle.”
Collins said his side knew exactly what it was up against in the preliminary final.
“We’ll have a couple of experienced players back into the side and hopefully we will have a full list to choose from.
“All the pressure is on Roxburgh Park.”
