By Tara Murray
South Morang lives to fight another day in the Northern Football League division 3 finals.
In what would turn out to be a thriller against Laurimar, the Lions hit the front with about a minute to go through a 50-metre penalty and resulting goal.
The Lions hung on to win 13.11 (89)-12.12 (84).
Lions coach Gary Hall said it was one of those games which could have gone either way.
Hall said experience helped the side a little, but in the end it was down to which side was in front at the final siren.
“It was a good effort,” he said.
“It was about who makes the most chances and who made least mistakes.
“We live to fight another day.”
Samuel Indian was the standout for the Lions. The 17-year-old kicked six goals and was a key target up forward.
“It’s a fair effort for a 17-year-old,” Hall said.
“He’s such a big boy and he leads really well, When he gets front position he is hard to stop. We needed him today and he was able to take his chances.”
Other standouts for the Lions were James Mellerick, Tye Hall, Bailey Brown and Cory Giannone.
The win sets up a preliminary final against Panton Hill on Saturday at Whittlesea showgrounds.
Panton Hill lost its semi-final to St Mary’s, 8.14 (62)-5.9 (39). St Mary’s awaits the winner of the preliminary final in the grand final.
Hall said he expected another close match this week.
“We’re one win off a grand final,” he said.
“We need to take our chances again. It looks like it will be a tough grand final, no matter who makes it.
“We took our chances this week and hopefully we can take next week and hopefully the week after.”
In division 1, Bundoora enters the finals on the back of a 9.21 (75)-10.4 (64) win against North Heidelberg.
The Bulldogs kicked six goals in the first quarter, but only four goals after that as the Bulls overran them.
Damandeep Aujla was named the Bulls’ best.
The Bulls finished the regular season in fourth and will play Greensborough in an elimination final on Sunday.
Whittlesea has been unable to avoid relegation this year, after finishing bottom.
The Eagles needed to win on Saturday against Hurstbridge. Unfortunately they lost, 19.10 (124)-15.8 (98).
Matthew Atta was named the Eagles’ best.
Tara Murray
