Coorow Latham make it back-to-back finals appearances after dumping out Mingenew in straight sets

Coorow Latham have booked themselves a spot in the North Midlands Grand Final after downing the Mingenew Bulldogs in a high-scoring match at Mingenew Oval.

In a rematch of last year’s grand finalists, the Magpies were once again victorious 17.16 (118) to 14.11 (95) as Mingenew’s late fightback fell short.

Mignenew were coming off a tight loss to Carnamah Perenjori while Coorow Latham blasted away from Morawa to extend their winning streak to six to have the best form of anyone in the competition.

They would increase it to seven off the back of a huge nine-goal effort from captain Matthew Burley to take his season total up to 49 as the Magpies stormed into the final with their fifth straight 100-plus score condemning the Bulldogs to a straight sets exit after finishing top of the ladder.

Both teams started well as the Bulldogs and Pies traded goals but Coorow would get the better of the opening exchanges to lead 5.4 (34) to 4.3 (27) at the first break.

But the Pies put their foot down in the second quarter scoring six goals to three to open up a 25-point lead at the half as they threatened to run away with the match.

After the relatively free-flowing nature of the first half, the third quarter was tight but the Bulldogs managed to inch their way back into the match kicking three goals to one, to close to within 14 points.

The Bulldogs continued to keep the pressure on and alarm bells would have been ringing when they closed to within a point, seven minutes into the final quarter as Mingenew threatened to steal the match.

But Coorow Latham responded as they would kick four goals to one in the closing stages to run away with the match and reach their second grand final in as many years.

Burley’s nine goals was magnificent as he was head and shoulders above the other forwards on the ground to be the difference on the day.

They will move on to face Carnamah Perenjori who qualified for their first grand final since their win in 2012 in what should be a cracking contest this Saturday.

Coorow Latham should go in as favourites having got finals experience but Carnamah have beaten them twice this season though a lot may rest on Len Papertalk and Kobi Sellar to kick a winning score.

The Pies will hope Aiden D’Souza can continue his good form and if Burley gets off the chain again he could win it off his own boot.

Bounce down is scheduled for 2.30pm at the Dongara Recreation Centre