Central Midlands Coastal Football League take 2nd place at country week championships

Central Midlands Coastal played out a thrilling final against Ongerup in the grand final of division two in the country championship at the WACA on Sunday.

It was a daunting task against Ongerup who were undefeated in the competition although in their group meeting Coastal went down by just five points which was the closest anyone got to them all weekend.

However, Ongerup was just too strong in the final winning 10.7 (67) to 7.9 (51) in a thrilling contest.

Coastal got off to a great start after Moora’s Michael Entwistle kicked the opener off a snap around 35m out from goal just after two minutes.

Ongerup got a response through the dangerous Lewis Davies who followed up with shortly after in what was an ominous sign for Coastal.

Torrential rain began to fall halfway through the first quarter and it made any ball movement difficult as Coastal went into the first break down 1.0 (6) to 2.1 (13).

The rain cleared and Ongerup kicked their third goal inside the first 30 seconds of the second quarter as Nelson Kent burst through a stoppage before Cervantes’ Isaac Devitt-Boyd got one back after a terrific down low mark.

Ongerup got the next through Aaron Russell before Entwistle kept Coastal in touch with his second before Russel responded with a fantastic snap around the body to help Ongerup take a 5.2 (32) to 3.1 (19) lead into half-time.

Coastal again conceded another early goal as Russell got his third as Davies got his second and then Russell got his fourth as the margin grew to a game-high 29 points.

Cervantes’ Cody Juhas was then gifted a goal after a shocking turnover before getting another through Lachie Glasfurd as they suddenly found themselves back in the game.

Moora’s Bill Jones then soccered a goal from the square to get back within two goals at three-quarter-time.

Russell again appeared for Ongerup to get his fifth in a commanding forward display. Davies then added his fourth, frustrating Coastal who had kicked inaccurately earlier in the quarter.

Juhas managed to get his second but there just wasn’t enough time for Coastal to mount a comeback as they went down by 16 points.

Gus Devitt from Cervantes had an outstanding carnival claiming three best-player nominations and Todd Kenny was instrumental in the third-quarter fightback.

Isaac Devitt-Boyd efforts were rewarded as he received an Allstars guernsey the only Coastal Midlands players to be nominated.

Players will now return to their respective clubs for Round 11 action kicking off this Saturday.

In division 1 the South West Football League crushed Avon in the final 115 to 21.