The Aussie Hotel Yass Roos reversed their recent form to take a well-earned win over the Cooma Cats in the elimination semi final last Sunday.
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This sets the stage for a replay of last year's preliminary final between old rivals Yass and Goulburn, after Goulburn lost their major semi final to Cootamundra on Saturday.
The Roos took on the pressure of the do-or-die final and kept with the Cats in the first quarter. Accuracy at goal was all that cost the Roos the chance of leading at quarter-time but there was nothing in it with Cooma in front 3-3-21 to Yass 2-6-18.
It was the second quarter that set up the win for the Roos. They took full advantage of the wind to pile on five goals while holding the Cats to just one. The team finished the quarter full of running and confident they could take the game, leading 7-11-53 to 4-4-28. It was a jubilant team in the rooms at halftime but they knew there was still a half to go and plenty of work left to do.
Cooma were determined to peg back the lead in the third quarter. The Roos worked doggedly to not let the Cats use the wind to get back on the scoreboard. The same number of scoring shots to both teams kept things relatively even despite a better return to Cooma. The Roos were ahead 8-14-62 to 6-6-42 at three-quarter-time. The Cats had made a small gain but the Roos were still looking good.
It was more of the same in the last with Cooma battling hard but the Roos doing enough to keep them at bay. Another small gain for the Cats was the result but it wasn't enough to stop the Roos claiming victory 9-18-72 to 8-6-54.
The best out there for the Roos were Ben Serafin, Steve O'Brien, Jamie Duncan, Nick Burridge, Paul Wasley and Jimmy Kelly. There were plenty of other contributors as well in a fine team effort. Goals were shared between Paul Wasley, Cam Attwell and Marc Brooks with two each and Doug Watchorn, Ben Serafin and Shane Lees with singles.
The Roos' focus now turns to the preliminary final next Saturday. This is another match they must win against the same team they met in the corresponding match last year. Many will remember the amazing last quarter comeback by the Roos that ended Goulburn's chance of a grand final spot. The Roos will certainly be hoping for a more convincing win this year.
The match gets underway at 12pm at the Gungahlin Town Centre Oval on Saturday September 6. It's finals footy with a grand final against Cootamundra the prize. Get along and join the cheer squad. I'll see you at the footy. Go the mighty Roos!
The Fox Terrier.