Late goals from from Wanderers help sink persistent Cougars in UGSFL preliminary final

Katanning Wanderers reached a third grand final in five years in the Upper Great Southern Football League after prevailing in a thrilling last quarter against Kukerin-Dumbleyung at Matera Oval in Wagin on Sunday. In the cut-throat final Wanderers led by a single point at three-quarter-time and that was the margin in the dying minutes of the game before late goals to Hayden Yarran and Kade Stewart sealed the 14-point preliminary final triumph. Callum Collard booted five goals and Stewart added three, the pair crucial in their side’s triumph, 12.9 (81) to 10.7 (67). The Cougars won the toss and kicked to the end favoured by a strong cross breeze in the first term and star forward Eric Botha had two quickly on the board. Wanderers responded with a relayed free kick that resulted in a goal to Callum Collard but Botha continued to be a threat and kicked his third for the quarter and centre half-forward Luca Tizzano also got on the board to give the Cougars the ascendancy. A great tackle by Codie Mills-Durack helped Wanderers pinch a late goal, trimming the deficit to nine points at quarter-time. Wanderers came out firing in the second with former AFL player Stewart kicking two superb goals, the first on the run with his preferred left foot and the second after shrugging off three opponents to snap truly on his non-preferred. The Cougars responded through Nathan Phillips but Callum Collard added two in quick succession at the other end as his side went into the main break 11 points ahead. The third quarter was an arm wrestle with Tizzano kicking his second after a great tackle in front of goals, but the Wanderers responded immediately thanks to a big tap from Khallon Zilm down to Tyrone Roe who hit up the in-form Callum Collard for another major. Phillips added two with the breeze to bring the game back to a one-point margin at three-quarter-time. The Wanderers had the breeze in the last quarter and kicked two early goals through Callum Collard and Laurence Collard. However, the Cougars were not to be denied as Phillips and Tizzano kicked their third goals each. A draw and extra time to decide the winner looked a distinct possibility, with stoppage after stoppage. The Cougars were playing the better football but just couldn’t find a goal-scoring opportunity, with Botha now being well held by Declan Georgy. Wanderers led by a point before Yarran took a mark deep in the right forward pocket, dummied past the man on the mark and kicked a marvellous goal to give Wanderers some breathing space. The icing on the cake was provided by man of the match Stewart, with his third goal after a strong pack mark and snap finish. Stewart was outstanding with three goals and countless clearances, Callum Collard kicked five goals, Caleb Gill was always available on his wing and Georgy kept Botha scoreless after half-time while Zilm rucked and marked strongly. Justin Joyce was ever present in the midfield for the Cougars, Rob Forrest worked hard around the ground, Jordan Jackson was impressive on a wing and Peter Joyce played well in defence. The Wanderers now progress to the grand final on Sunday where they face Williams for the flag.