Lancaster's Cameron Simpson lowers the eyes with a team mate in close proximity.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The Rushworth fairytale – for now anyway – has come to a halt as Lancaster booked a ticket to the Kyabram District League grand final in ruthless fashion on Saturday.
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The Wombats put the heartbreak of their after-the-siren defeat to Murchison-Toolamba well and truly in the rear-view mirror at Central Park Recreation Reserve, trouncing the Tigers by 81 points in the preliminary final.
Rushworth, coming off one of its finest wins in recent memory, rode the wave of momentum early, matching the Wombats in the contested footy stakes.
Unable to capitalise on opportunities, however, Zaid Besim made them pay at the other end for the first and second majors of the game.
Ryan Beale made the breakthrough for the Tigers, slotting their first preliminary final goal in 14 years and ensuring a one-goal buffer at the first break in a low-scoring affair.
It was as far as the Rushy resistance got.
The floodgates opened in the second quarter, with Lancaster, led by Ricky Thomson, Cameron Simpson, and Adam Lovison, blowing home 6.7 to no score to take a 49-point lead into half-time.
The Wombats maintained that lead at the final change before putting the foot down in the last quarter.
Ricky Thomson slotted five goals and Besim four as Lancaster’s midfield-forward connection proved lethal in the 16.17 (113) to 4.8 (32) triumph, while Tighe Clarke, Nicolas Collins, Jackson McRae were gallant in defeat for Rushworth.
The result means Lancaster will have the opportunity to rectify its three-point defeat to the Hoppers and snatch its first flag since 2023 when the two clubs meet at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve this Saturday.
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