Men’s Premier Division Elimination Final – St George Dragons v Inner West Magpies
Written by Lucas Holmes
Previous meetings
These two sides split their regular season meetings. The Inner West Magpies ran down the St George Dragons by 13 points in round 9. In round 14 the Dragons defeated the Magpies by 27 points.
First quarter
St George looked to enter their forward 50 in the opening exchanges.
Connor Flanagan attempted to go high from the half-forward flank. Geordie Gregory closed the space and effected a smother on the kick.
The tackling pressure from both sides was immense. It led to the first scoring opportunity.
With the football in dispute in the middle of the ground, the Dragons swept it away. Patrick Tegg forced a turnover on the half-forward flank. Ben Hodgson centred the ball to the hotspot.
Daniel Widders pulled the set shot for a minor score.
The Dragons did kick the first major soon after.
They kept the ball in motion following a stoppage inside the forward 50. A backwards handball was pounced on by Patrick Tegg, who snapped from just outside the goal square.
The Magpies replied straight away through strike forward Lachlan Tizani.
Josh Robinson won the centre clearance and found a leaping Tiziani. From just inside the arc, the distance was not a problem.
The margin was back to a solitary point.
Ben Zoppo flew high and took a big mark. But he didn’t convert the difficult set shot.
Josh Robinson converted a snap from the right forward pocket as the Magpies continued their early surge.
The Dragons’ defence held firm as they enjoyed some time in their forward half but came away with two behinds.
Quarter time St George Dragons 1.3.9 Inner West Magpies 2.2.14.
Second quarter
It was a frantic start to the second term.
Inner West swarmed in defence, not allowing the Dragons a clean exit. Star midfielder Kel Evans had a set shot from 45 metres out that was pulled to the left.
The Magpies then made a mistake from a kick-out.
Flanagan took an intercept 40 metres out on a 45-degree angle. Flanagan’s set shot rattled the right goal post. Both sides traded minor scores.
Play continued to go from end to end on a glorious late August afternoon.
The Magpies transitioned the football from the back half, which led to Ben Zoppo being isolated one-on-one.
Luke Jamieson on the far centre wing found Omar Matar on the half-forward flank. Matar changed the angle leaving Timothy Coenen helpless against Zoppo.
From 25 metres out, directly in front, the league’s leading goal kicker didn’t miss. Inner West’s lead was 11 points.
St George lifted their intensity, it led to their first goal of the quarter after 18 minutes of elapsed time.
Anthony Markos won a free kick for a hold in the middle of the ground. A 50-metre free kick was awarded, which moved Markos into range. From 25 metres out, directly in front, the Dragons needed to continue to kick straight. They were 2.8.20.
Widders added his first soon after. Ethan Maher then capitalised from close range. The Dragons were in front at the main break.
Half time St George Dragons 4.9.33 Inner West Magpies 3.4.22.
Third quarter
After a tight, contested style in the first half, it didn’t take long for the match to open up in the third term.
The Dragons entered their forward 50, Gregory and Saunders collided as both players had their eyes on the football.
A free kick followed, and Hodgson found Maher on the lead. From 40 metres out directly in front, Maher pulled his set shot. The first points of the half.
Inner West took advantage at the other end of the ground.
The Magpies created a turnover over on the attacking side of the centre square. Evans spun out of the congestion and linked with Tiziani. Tiziani nailed the set shot from 35 metres out and not far inside the boundary, his second goal of the afternoon.
Jamison converted a set shot from just inside the arc. The scores were level once more.
Widders took a tumbling mark in the forward pocket after Carey rushed a kick on his left side. Widders added his second from a tight angle.
St George was back in front.
The Magpies showed their willingness to move the football quickly. Four players were fanned out across the middle of Henson Park as they transitioned from one side to the other.
The behinds crept up for the Dragons. After 18 minutes of the third quarter, they were 5.13 to Inner West’s 5.5.
St George put their foot down late in the term.
Goals to Hodgson, Steven Nabaki and a goal of the season contender from Matt Saunders put the Dragons in the box seat at the last change.
Three quarter time St George Dragons 8.13.61 Inner West Magpies 5.5.35.
Fourth quarter
The Inner West defence scrambled early in the last term as St George looked to put the margin beyond doubt. O’Connell wrapped up Saunders in the right forward pocket.
The Magpies then moved the football from one end to the other.
O’Connell played on quickly and found Evans, who opened the corridor. Ben Zoppo cleverly tapped over the top to Austin Ball, who ran into the open goal.
Widders replied instantly with his third. The margin was back to 27 points in the favour of the Dragons.
Tiziani added his third after 10 minutes of elapsed time. The Magpies weren’t going down without a fight.
Nathaniel McKenzie-Hicks kicked the sealer after 17 minutes of the term. Nabaki showed his athleticism to kick his second.
The match well and truly opened as it wore on. The Dragons were victorious by 33 points.
Full time St George Dragons 12.16.88 Inner West Magpies 8.7.55.
Ben Hodgson racked up possessions for St George. Connor Flanagan continued to impress, whilst Timothy Coenen impressed when matched up on Ben Zoppo.
Nick Pleming was important in contested situations for Inner West. Tyler Grainger-Balding was solid in defence, then backed up Jamieson in the ruck. Lachlan Tiziani was efficient inside the forward 50.
St George Dragons 12.16.88
Goal kickers: D. Widders 3, S. Nabaki 2, B. Hodgson, D. Lycakis, E. Maher, A. Markos
Best: M. Saunders, C. Flanagan, B. Hodgson, E. Maher, K. McKellar, A. Wynn
Inner West Magpies 8.7.55
Goal kickers: L. Tiziani 3, A. Ball, J. Jamieson, J. Robinson, J. Rule, B. Zoppo
Best: J. Rule, B. Klemke, K. Evans, N. Pleming, L. Tiziani, T. Grainger-Balding
The St George Dragons progress to Semi Final 1 against Sydney University on Sunday 4:05 PM at Henson Park.
