The make-up of the final four in the SGL will come down to the last round of the year after Solomontown proved far too good for an under strength Lions on Saturday.
The Cats went into the match close to full strength, needing to keep winning if they were to have any chance of playing finals football this year.
Solomontown trailed fourth placed Central Augusta by a very small percentage and a loss would almost surely have finished off any chance they had of grabbing back the position they had held for most of the season.
After appearing almost assured of playing finals half way through the year, a slip in form, a couple of untimely losses and a resurgence by Central Augusta has made the last round a very interesting one.
Lions, on the other hand, trailed second placed West Augusta by 1 point and needed to win this game as they play the Hawks in the last round which would have been for the coveted double chance.
This loss has now ensured they will finish the minor round in third spot and play in the elimination final during the first week of the major round.
Lions started the match without several injured players but still fielded a side capable of securing the win.
Tim Dunkley was returning from an extended injury layoff to add some run to the Lions midfield.
The endeavor shown by the Lions players was well below what was expected and Solomontown tackled and attacked the ball harder than their opponents all day and came away with a well deserved 29 point victory.
Solomontown were first on the board with goals to Johnson, Price and Redman before Lions steadied with Tyson Horsnell kicking his first of five goals for the match.
Another goal to Jarrad Davies pushed the lead to 21 points before Solomontown players lost their cool and control to hand Lions several free kicks resulting in Horsnell kicking his second from the goal square.
The Cats went to the first break holding a 14 point lead.
Two goals apiece in an even second term had Solomontown holding a 10 point lead at half time.
Lions would have been concerned as Tate Bradley, Clinton O’Connor, Chris Marsland and Tyron George were having little influence on the game. Matt Peek at half back and Tyson Horsnell (three goals to half-time) were the only ones keeping them in the match to this point.
Lions responded early in the third as you would expect and two goals to Horsnell, separated by one to Graham Cooke and the margin had been reduced to four points.
Cooke and Craig Tee were dominating the ruck allowing Ty Price, who had a brilliant first half, to continually drive the Cats forward.
Solomontown hit back with two goals to Ben Goodridge followed by one to Tee and the Cats had a 17 point lead and the momentum going into the last quarter.
Bob Boston was pleased with his side’s performance and asked for the same commitment to finish the match while Lions coach Duck Davies demanded his side respond to the challenge before them or their double chance may be gone.
The last quarter was all the Cats with Ben Goodridge kicking two goals, Nick Redman one and Ashley Johnson one. Lions managed two late goals to Marsland and Christan Wood, with the latter winding back the clock to take a hanger late in the match.
Solomontown had many good players with Ty Price, Craig Tee and Graham Cooke being the best. Ashley Johnson, Nick Redman, Zac Siemer, Riley Hayes, Aiden Malchow (second half) and Ryan Saracino all shone at times and all are exciting players showing great maturity at a young age.
Ben Goodridge also rates a mention for his four goals.
Lions had far too few players willing to commit themselves for four quarters and a lift in intensity is needed if they want to progress deep into the minor round. Tyson Horsnell (5 goals) and Matt Peek across half back kept their side in the match, while Matt White, Shaun Edwards, Daniel Pine and Kane Irvine had their moments. Lachlan Pole tried hard in the ruck but was outclassed by the more experienced Tee and Cooke.
Lions will be hoping that the return of several injured key players will give them the lift they need and must defeat West Augusta this week to restore lost confidence and form heading into the finals.
Solomontown will go into this week’s match against South Augusta with renewed enthusiasm from their victory over Lions and having beaten South Augusta early this season. Should they be able to hold on to fourth spot they will play Lions again in the elimination final.
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