The Wash-Up – GFL Semi-Finals

WINNERS

GFL SCOREBOARD – SEMI-FINALS

COWAN HAMSTRING TAKES SHINES OFF SAINTS WIN

Injury-prone St Mary’s midfielder Josh Cowan could be in doubt for the remainder of the season after suffering a hamstring injury early in the Saints’ 64-point hiding of Newtown & Chilwell in the first semi-final at GMHBA Stadium. Co-coach Travis Robertson was unsure of the severity. “It doesn’t look good,” he said. “It was good enough for him to be ruled out of the rest of this game pretty early, so we will have to wait and see. I haven’t spoken to him yet. We’ll assess it and see how we go.”

DOWLING BOUNCES BACK

Geelong VFL listed Paddy Dowling has bounced back from a quiet elimination final against Leopold to kick an equal career-high six goals in St Mary’s first semi-final win over Newtown & Chilwell. “Paddy’s had a good day – he was a bit down last week,” co-coach Travis Robertson said. “Today, I think he’s been excellent. Paddy plays the game with his heart on his sleeve, so it’s been really interesting to watch him. But, he’s come to play today, which is good.” Dowling’s sixth goal was his 50th at GFL senior level.

COACH SAYS NO THIRD MATHIESON FOR McMAHON

Newtown & Chilwell coach Damien McMahon doesn’t believe Matt McMahon has done enough to become the first player to win three consecutive Mathieson Medals. The star skipper claimed the GFL’s highest individual honour in 2017 and 2018. “I don’t think he can,” Damien McMahon said. “He hasn’t had anywhere near the season he has previously. He will still poll really well, as he does every year. But I don’t think he’s had a run at it like he has the last two seasons.”

FAREWELL, FANNO?

Was the loss to St Mary’s the last time we’ll see Newtown & Chilwell big man David Fanning. The 35-year-old former Collingwood big man has played 88 games in five seasons since arriving at Elderslie Reserve. “If you had of asked me at the halfway mark of the season, I would have been working hard to make sure I keep him for next year,” coach Damien McMahon said. “To find a 200cm replacement in Geelong is difficult, particularly with the way the points system is now. You look at (Andrew) Banjanin a one-pointer, you look at Fanning a one-pointer. The temptation is to keep them going. We’ll probably try to keep ‘Fanno’ going.”

ON POINT

Colac: 27/40
Newtown & Chilwell: 37/40
St Joseph’s: 40/40
St Mary’s: 39/40

THE INTERVIEW

LEADING GOAL KICKERS – SEMI-FINALS

NEXT WEEK – PRELIMINARY FINAL

St Joseph’s (2nd) vs. St Mary’s (5th) @ GMHBA Stadium – Saturday, 2:10pm

BFL: THE WASH-UP: PRELIMINARY FINAL
GDFL: THE WASH-UP: PRELIMINARY FINAL