By Adrian Ceddia
GREENVALE squandered a 62-point lead in the Essendon District Football League A Grade preliminary final to be bundled out of the finals race by Doutta Stars on Sunday.
The Jets looked grand final-bound mid-way through the second quarter before the Stars ran rampant and pulled off a miracle comeback.
The margin in the end was 20 points – an 82-point turnaround from the eight-minute mark of the second quarter.
The result was soured by a nasty brawl during the third quarter, after which Doutta Stars’ Brendan Hollow and Greenvale’s Ramazan Pekes were sent from the field for the remainder of the game.
In the end the exploits of Stars spearhead Kade Carey was the difference between the teams, with the enigmatic full-forward booting nine goals in an enthralling battle with Greenvale’s Nick Miccalizzi.
Doutta Stars meet Strathmore in the grand final at Windy Hill on Sunday, with the Mores shooting for back-to-back premierships.
West Coburg earned the right to take on minor premier Maribyrnong Park for the B Grade flag.
While the Lions took the week off after their semi-final win, West Coburg was busy in Saturday’s preliminary final against Pascoe Vale, a game it won easily by 85 points.
While both sides came into the match below full strength, West Coburg welcomed back influential midfielder Rabee Haouhar, who has missed the past few weeks through injury.
The double act of Ashley Flavel and Fidaa Ahmad caused Pascoe Vale problems, especially in the second half when their side piled on the goals.
Flavel took his season tally to 89 with a bag of seven, overtaking team-mate Ahmad on the league goalkicking table after he slotted five majors to total 88.
Bassman Abdul-wahed kicked three while Haouchar marked his return with two.
While it will go into the grand final full of confidence, West Coburg will have to overturn its recent run of poor form against Maribyrnong Park, which includes two losses by 43 and 63 points in the past month.
