EASTERN Ranges have progressed to their second Grand Final in three years after defeating Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels by 51 points on Saturday. An inspired third quarter from co-captain Oliver Greeves saw the Ranges turn a seven-point lead into an unassailable 35-point buffer at the final break.

The Rebels kicked consecutive majors to start term three on the front foot, only for Eastern to go on and boot 10 of the game’s last 12 goals. That run included seven straight in a blistering premiership quarter, with Greeves’ uninterrupted streak of four majors turning the tide within just six minutes.

Eastern will now go on to face three-time reigning premiers Sandringham Dragons in Saturday afternoon’s decider at IKON Park. The top Metro seed will hope for greater fortunes in their 2023 Grand Final rematch, with both the boys and girls programs qualifying for the last day of the season.

EASTERN RANGES 4.2 | 6.4 | 13.4 | 17.9 (111)
GWV REBELS 2.1 | 4.2 | 7.5 | 9.6 (60)

GOALS:
Eastern: O. Greeves 4, C. Nash 3, B. Lloyd 2, L. Dovaston 2, J. Knapp, R. McConnell, M. Buckland, H. Chapman, S. Robey, A. Spencer
GWV: F. Molan 2, C. Kenna, F. Burmeister, S. Burmeister, C. Finck, C. Glenwright-McGuane, C. McKinnon, O. Pittard

BEST:
Eastern: O. Greeves, S. Robey, L. Dovaston, B. Lloyd, M. Krasnadamskis
GWV: T. Bowman, A. Taylor, F. Burmeister, F. Penry, W. Shea

EASTERN RANGES:

#8 Lachy Dovaston
Small Forward | 177cm | 29/05/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 7 marks, 2 goals

Dovaston was typically dangerous whether situated up the ground and closer to goal, booting both of his majors at one end of Casey Fields. On top of his sound finishing in those instances, Dovaston largely did as he pleased when presenting outside attacking 50. He gained separation on the lead and joined in at stoppages with lively movement or evasive technique to exit packs.

#25 Oskar Taylor
Defender | 182cm | 01/08/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles

Earning a national draft combine upgrade for his run into first round contendership, Taylor continues to impress across half-back. He showcased his ability to connect the lines by providing overlap run up the ground and backing his speed to attack. The top-ager provided great support on the outside, but also produced a couple of important intercept marks to prove he can get it done on the defensive end. Still, his ability to playmake and hit daring kicks is what catches the eye most.

#26 Oliver Greeves
Midfielder/Forward | 191cm | 07/02/2007

Stats: 35 disposals, 14 marks, 4 goals

There have been few better finals performances in the competition than what Greeves produced on Saturday. The peak of his all-round domination came during a third quarter purple patch, where the midfielder swapped deep forward to boot four goals in six minutes. His game-breaking run was headlined by clean overhead marking and one-on-one craft, monstering his opponents to hit the scoreboard in a big way. Earlier, Greeves exhibited his patented ability to spread forward of the contest and while cruisy at times, his class was evident. He amassed 20 touches to half time as an extractor who could also accumulate out in space.

#37 Rod Ali
Defender | 186cm | 11/01/2006

Stats: 6 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles

Seldom one to blow up the stats sheet, Ali’s impact on the game extended further than that. He was tasked with the job of shutting down competition leading goalkicker Charlie McKinnon, who was held statless for a half and only managed a consolation major with 20 seconds left to play. Ali conceded some height and size but cut the difference with athleticism and effort. He reacted to long kicks into his area and was able to intercept them first, snuffing out any danger and applying repeat efforts to send Eastern forward. It was a defensive masterclass from the over-ager.

#55 Sullivan Robey
Forward/Midfielder | 192cm | 04/10/2007

Stats: 25 disposals, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

Robey earned a national combine call-up alongside Taylor having continued his scintillating run of late-season form. The bolting top 15 prospect was back at it on Saturday, helping blow the game open after half time to set Eastern on course for victory. As a forward, he presented up the ground and was clean below his knees, looking nimble for a player his size. Robey backed himself to take on tacklers and that translated to his work in midfield, breaking the packs open through force. He was a threat in the attacking phase and worked into zones to launch a pair of assists for Greeves in term three. A goal of his own came in term four, sneaking free inside 50 before converting the set shot.

GWV REBELS:

#3 Archie Taylor
Midfielder | 178cm | 25/05/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 6 tackles, 5 clearances

Taylor exhibited some of his best traits on Saturday, proving explosively quick at the fall of the ball. He would often swoop on the ground ball and accelerate away in patented fashion, becoming a threat when able to escape out the front of stoppages. While Taylor was unable to always make his launch kicks count, he punished the opposition with terrific tackle pressure and lifted at the start of the third quarter when GWV looked like mounting a comeback – momentary as it was.

#5 Floyd Burmeister
Key Forward/Ruck | 199cm | 04/05/2006

Stats: 8 disposals, 4 marks, 1 goal

The stats don’t flatter Burmeister but he was again among the Rebels’ most influential players. His intensity was evident from the outset with a terrific defensive 50 tackle, with the athletic tall going on to take a couple of strong marks in term two. He backed himself to make the distance from long-range set shots, but went on to kick his only goal with a nimble snap in the third quarter. Burmeister ran out the game by presenting well up the ground and completed an awesome chase on the highly touted Xavier Taylor, giving him nothing despite the result.

#21 Taj Bowman
Defender | 184cm | 12/10/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 9 marks, 8 rebound 50s

Bowman was GWV’s general in defence, and if not for his presence, the scoreline would likely have been even less flattering. He laid hard tackles and stuck crucial intercept marks across the back 50, standing tallest with nine touches and six marks during the second quarter. The dam wall eventually broke and Bowman was tested by the Greeves matchup in term three, but held his own with sound distribution by foot and plenty of gutsy work to keep his side competitive.

#23 Flynn Penry
Ruck | 201cm | 20/04/2006

Stats: 16 disposals, 29 hitouts, 5 clearances

In what would be his final appearance for the Rebels, Penry went out with a strong performance against one of the draft’s potential bolting rucks. The over-ager thrived at the centre bounces, showing great craft to post with one arm and access the ball with the other. He prised five clearances with clean hands and authoritative stoppage presence, while also getting around the ground to showcase his neat fundamental skills.