EASTERN Ranges star Oliver Greeves tore Saturday’s preliminary final wide open, booting four goals in a third quarter purple patch. Greeves’ goals – all consecutive – were part of the Ranges’ run of six to set up an unassailable 35-point advantage heading into the final break against GWV Rebels.

The prolific six-minute period was the centrepiece of Greeves’ dominant overall performance. He racked up a game-high 35 disposals and 14 marks as the Ranges booked their spot in this week’s Coates Talent League Grand Final. We break down each moment of magic from the midfielder’s masterpiece.

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BREAKDOWN

TIME PERIOD: Quarter 3, 12:17-18:24
STATS: 9 disposals (8 kicks), 5 marks, 4 goals
SCORE BEFORE: Eastern Ranges 8.4 (52) to GWV Rebels 6.4 (40)
SCORE AFTER: Eastern Ranges 12.4 (76) to GWV Rebels 6.4 (40)

GOAL #1: 13′ | Eastern Ranges 9.4 (58) to GWV Rebels 6.4 (40)

Having hit the 20-disposal mark as a midfielder in the first half, Greeves made way for Sullivan Robey at the centre bounces. Stationed deep forward, his first major came on the end of a fast break as Eastern caused a turnover on the wing. He made a double-back lead into space which fooled direct opponent Taj Bowman, gaining separation to mark uncontested from Archie Spencer‘s perfect forward 50 entry. Greeves finished with aplomb from the set shot to further restore his side’s ascendancy.

GOAL #2: 14′ | Eastern Ranges 10.4 (64) to GWV Rebels 6.4 (40)

Greeves was once again positioned one-out against Bowman as Eastern quickly advanced the ball inside 50. This time, it came from a genuine end-to-end passage. Robey delivered the launch kick, hitting Greeves’ advantage side for the 191cm beast to mark overhead. In a rush of blood, he played on and was tackled, but proved strong enough to remain upright and get the shapshot away for his second goal.

GOAL #3: 17′ | Eastern Ranges 11.4 (70) to GWV Rebels 6.4 (40)

The Robey-Greeves combination was at the forefront one more time for goal number three. Bolting forward from a centre clearance surge, Robey sent the ball long for Greeves to mark overhead, leaping from behind Bowman to pluck the ball clean out of his grasp. Learning his lesson from the last goal, Greeves cooly went back and converted the set shot to continue his hot streak.

GOAL #4: 19′ | Eastern Ranges 12.4 (76) to GWV Rebels 6.4 (40)

Greeves would ensure his four-goal run featured a bit of symmetry, adding a second snap finish to his two set shot conversions. The Ranges scrambled the ball forward, knocking it on and finding the next handball to edge towards goal. Greeves moved proactively to receive in just enough space to wheel around and snap home his fourth major, completing the purple patch.

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

Q4 STATS: 6 disposals, 3 marks, 1 behind
FINAL SCORE: Eastern Ranges 17.9 (111) def. GWV Rebels 9.6 (60)

After Greeves’ fourth goal, GWV hit back but remained 35 points adrift heading into three-quarter time. The Ranges ended up kicking four consecutive goals in the final quarter to blow out the margin, before the Rebels ended with a pair of consolations. 51 points was the final margin, with another ruthless scoring display propelling Eastern into the Coates Talent League Grand Final.

WHAT DID IT PROVE?

Greeves’ pair of postseason performances have proven he’s a big game player. After a relatively lean patch by his high standards, he has made tone-setting starts in midfield and on Saturday, managed to compound his impact up forward. His burst of four goals, albeit matchup up against a 184cm opponent, was a huge tick for his versatility and was central to setting up Eastern’s comprehensive win.