Semi Finals: Demons vs Shepherds Bush Raiders (Conference)
Shaun 'Yeao' Martin | 27.07.16
Clapham Demons 11.3 (69) def. Shepherds Bush Raiders 9.2 (56)
Given the chance to play a big final on our home deck, the Magoos arrived on Saturday with a positive attitude with a spot in the big dance on the line. Up against the undefeated Wildcats, it was going to be a tough day as the temperatures soared. It's worth noting the Demons haven't beaten the Wildcats in Conference for a number of years.
What a pleasure it was to watch the Super 3's win their way through to the Grand Final to start the day off, and Fat Pitto and Skinny Ash urged us to do the same.
Despite a host of outs, the team started well and the midfield got on top early. As has come to be expected, Sean 'Walshy' Walsh got first hand on the footy and the midfield set the tone.
It didn't take long before Yeao kicked a left foot over-the-shoulder sausage roll as the Demons stepped up early. The inclusion of Webby created a good target, and the return of Dicky 'Darts' Benson proved critical. With lots of run and winners everywhere, we hit quarter time marginally in front.
When Tommy Puspus left the field with a shoulder injury early in the second, the midfield kicked up another gear. TK was great in his return game, as was Casa, Whitey and Kiercey. Yeao went bang from 65 out, on the left, from the boundary line, and with Dicky firing, the halftime lead was out to 4 goals.
The third quarter saw much of the same as Dod kicked 2 sensational goals and TK went Euro2016 with a soccer goal from 40 out. It was great to see the Rest Of World players continue to have an impressive impact on the game. Rikki Bobby, Festival Bubbles, Sammy Valentine (Valentine-Sammy-Valentine) and CO all joined in the party with great tackling and attack on the footy.
At three quarter time, with an 8 goal lead and a huge win on the cards, it was somewhat unfortunate that the Magoos went to sleep. Wests charged home to kick 5 goals to 0 in the last quarter. As much as it wasn't great to see, the reward of 3 brilliant quarters meant the mighty Demons held off the Wildcats and won their way through to a Grand Final. Regular readers may be sick of my man-crush on the backline, but yet again if it wasn't for them all day - and especially in the last quarter - the result would have been different. Sharpley and Whitey, how good are they! And Fults, clearly best on ground, showed why he's the best centre half back in the league, as he smashed his quality opponents all day. What a man.
What a day to be a part of the Magoos!!!
Enjoy the week off lads, one more huge game to go! With a heap to come back, its everything on the line for a crack at a premiership. Grand finals don't come around very often. For some it never happens at all. Let's get around each other over the next few weeks, prepare ourselves in every way possible, and come out and win a BLOODY FLAG!
Goals: Dicky 4, Yeao 2, Dod 2, TK 2, Webby 1
Best players: Fults, Walshy, Whitey, TK, Casa
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