GREATER Western Victoria (GWV) has qualified for its first Coates Talent League Grand Final since winning the competition in 1997 as the North Ballarat Rebels. The Country region, which finished the regular season in 11th, beat the 13th-placed Oakleigh Chargers by four points in Sunday’s prelim.

Both sides have enacted remarkable turnarounds since making it through Wildcard Round. They met at the same venue – RSEA Park – in Round 19, where the Rebels won by 13 points in an equally tense encounter. This time around, Oakleigh led for 90 per cent of the match before being pipped at the post.

GWV REBELS 1.2 | 4.5 | 6.6 | 10.10 (70)
OAKLEIGH CHARGERS 4.6 | 4.10 | 7.16 | 8.18 (66)

GOALS:
GWV: J. Faull 5, H. Lawson 2, S. McDonald, O. Hannaford, J. Ough
Oakleigh: C. Richardson 3, F. O’Sullivan 2, K. Emery, Z. Cochrane, J. Smith

RMC BEST:
GWV: J. Faull, R. Unwin, J. Ough, A. Taylor, O. Hannaford, H. Lawson
Oakleigh: J. Smith, Z. Cochrane, T. Gross, F. O’Sullivan, P. Retschko, L. Quaynor

GWV REBELS:

#3 Rhys Unwin
Midfielder | 178cm | 11/10/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 7 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Unwin brought his usual energy in midfield against a quality Chargers contingent, getting busy going both ways. He used his speed to escape to the outside but also shut down the opposition with defensive efforts, like his rundown tackle on Tom Gross in term two and strong effort to lock up Noah Yze during the third. The lively small also did well to lose opponents at stoppages and was difficult to contain in each third of the ground.

#6 Jack Ough
Midfielder | 194cm | 15/12/2006

Stats: 22 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 4 tackles, 1 goal

Ough was his side’s leading ball winner for the third week running, proving his credentials as an inside midfielder and reliable big game player. The 194cm prospect used the ball quite efficiently as usual without being overly expansive, until his moment came late in the final quarter. Ough wrapped his boot around the ball perfectly for a snap goal to essentially seal the result with five minutes left on the clock, leaving Oakleigh requiring two goals to win.

#7 Oliver Hannaford
Forward/Midfielder | 180cm | 01/09/2006

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

After his previous exploits against the Chargers, and a six-goal effort last week, Hannaford was afforded a tough matchup in Blake Leidler. The in-form forward found less frequent opportunities deep inside 50, being forced to play a higher role before also rotating on-ball. He brough his patented power and intensity with each possession, breaking tackles and exploding into the contest. He kicked yet another bigtime goal late in the third quarter, recognising the moment to give his side a sniff heading into the final break.

#8 Jonty Faull
Key Forward | 195cm | 01/02/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 7 marks, 6 inside 50s, 5 goals

Faull was GWV’s standout player and arguably the best afield given the result. He put his stamp on the game, shaking off a robust matchup in Liam Callaghan who kept him to just one goal in Round 18. The mobile key forward adjusted nicely and played to his strengths, getting busy on the lead by presenting up the ground. After booting three of his side’s goals in the first half, Faull went on to showcase his contested marking improvements with some strong grabs. One even led to a long-range set shot goal to give his side the lead with seven minutes left to play.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

#5 Finn O’Sullivan
Midfielder | 182cm | 30/05/2006

Stats: 20 disposals, 8 marks, 8 inside 50s, 2 goals

It was an indifferent day for O’Sullivan, who put himself in match-winning positions but couldn’t conjure up the end product. He was amongst Oakleigh’s starting midfield mix and rotated forward, getting on the end of a bullet-like pass from Jagga Smith to convert the opening goal. He also slotted a clutch set shot in the third quarter to give his side some breathing space, but hit the belly with a checkside attempt on the boundary in the dying stages. Throughout the game, O’Sullivan looked like breaking it open with his power and strength, without quite doing so.

#7 Jagga Smith
Midfielder | 181cm | 28/01/2006

Stats: 33 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

Smith was once again Oakleigh’s leading player throughout the four quarters, racking up a game-high 33 disposals and popping up all around the ground. He started out with a pair of assists, drilling the ball inside 50 for teammates to be drawn into. His timing and repeat running efforts were terrific as Oakleigh chained the ball forward, covering ground supremely well. Despite his light frame, Smith was calm in the face of oncoming contact and absorbed it well before getting off clean disposals. He was unselfish when closing in on goal, but went alone in term three with a couple of baulks and a classy checkside finish to get the Chargers going. His level is consistently incredibly high.

#9 Tom Gross
Midfielder/Forward | 181cm | 15/09/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 3 marks, 4 inside 50s

After a relatively steady start, Gross began to lift and impact the game with his gut running from the second term, onwards. He started forward but had his biggest impact further afield, including with a terrific end-to-end passage during term two. He was strong over the ball when it mattered, while also proving capable of finding the ball in dangerous launch zones. His 45-metre set shot during the final quarter was unlucky not to make the journey.

#20 Zane Cochrane
Midfielder | 187cm | 11/07/2006

Stats: 23 disposals, 5 marks, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

Cochrane was bettered by only Smith as far as Oakleigh’s ball winners went, gathering 23 touches with strong work both at and away from the contest. He showcased his overhead marking ability and work rate around the ground, getting over the back to add impetus and depth to Oakleigh’s attacks. The midfielder also popped up late in the piece with a clutch set shot goal to give his side one last roll of the dice, with that area of the game being a strength of his.