UGSFL 2024: Boddington showed no mercy against Williams in second semi, progress to decider as flag fancies

Boddington progressed straight into the Upper Great Southern Football League grand final after showing no mercy in a 42-point second semifinal win over Williams in Pingelly on Saturday. The Eagles were brilliant early in the first week of finals, booting six swift majors in the opening term while keeping the Cats scoreless to open up a 38-point margin. The Cats matched their opponent’s fast pace in the second quarter as the sides kicked three goals each, but despite the Cats’ apparent comeback it wasn’t enough to recover from the first-quarter damage. The minor premiers led by 40 points at the long break and despite a Cats fightback in the third, it was not enough. The Cats kicked three goals in the third but two steadying majors in the final stanza helped guide the Eagles to a 12.10 (82) to 6.4 (40) victory. The result sends the Eagles straight into the league decider while the Cats now front up in a preliminary final against Wickepin. Eagles key forward Harry Ellis led the way with five goals while teammates Lloyd Padwick, Zak Pretty and Riley Smith were strong contributors with two goals each. Smith, Callum Giles-Morton, Korben Halter, Matthew Sherry, Blake Reynolds and Ben Sherry were key factors in the Eagles booking a grand final berth. Addison Dew and Max Duff were the Cats’ only multiple goal scorers and their side was well-served by Simon Panizza, Nathan Pearce, Brett Lavender, Jonty Petchell and Ollie Kable. In the minor grades, Williams won through to the reserves grand final with a 25-point win over Wagin despite kicking 6.11. Wagin won a tight thirds second semifinal, beating Narrogin by nine points and in fourths Narrogin were 30-point winners over Katanning Wanderers.