Just one hurdle remains in the Bendigo Amateur Soccer League with grand final day quickly approaching after semis wrapped up at the weekend.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The pair of simultaneous Sunday clashes was guaranteed to throw up a senior men’s grand final between a Bendigo representative and a Greater Shepparton side as Eaglehawk met Strathdale while old foes Tatura and Shepparton South went at it once more.
The Ibises welcomed their local black-and-white adversaries to the friendly confines of Tatura’s Howley Oval, with the side in red having held all the wood over South in recent times.
Young forward dynamo Xavier Black has pulled up for senior action after taking part in either an earlier reserves or youth fixture a stunning amount of times in 2024, and he delivered the goods on the scoresheet yet again for Tatura.
Mercifully, he received his reprieve shortly before the hour mark as coach Tristan Zito brought himself on, but Tatura had well and truly established a firm stranglehold on the contest by then with a 3-0 lead.
Image 1 of 7
Shepparton South's Lewis Coyle and Tatura's Xavier Black get tangled up on the ball. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 7
Shepparton South's Rohan Byrne protests the awarding of a foul. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 7
Tatura's Tim Lardner is in full control with plenty of space. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 7
Shepparton South's Stephen Appiah searches for answers as Tatura gets on top. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 7
Shepparton South's Lewis Coyle strikes a long ball upfield. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 7
Shepparton South's Liam Nash attempts to break the guard of Tatura's Maximo Traverso. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 7
Shepparton South's Joel Aitken takes a moment of calm before a set piece. Photo by Rechelle ZammitGoals from Black, Thomas Leech and Cody Sellwood appeared to have matters all wrapped up by the time both teams were back in the rooms at the interval, with Zito himself furthering South’s misery off the bench by delivering Tatura’s fourth.
South had an impact sub of its own waiting as Trent Newbound delivered a consolation goal after arriving in the 83rd minute, but the damage was done as Tatura cruised into another grand final with a 4-1 win.
Zito emphasised the underlying motives that brought his side to the big dance following the shock setback at the end of the regular season.
“We had a couple of weeks to think about the loss to United and that definitely gave us a bit of motivation,” Zito said.
“After getting 3-0 up, we just got on with it from there and it was really pleasing to get it done.
“I also think it was the first time we had a full squad of 16 available all season on Sunday.”
Up the other end, it wasn’t South star man Stephen Appiah’s day up forward, but he nonetheless wrapped up a glittering 16-goal campaign after falling into South’s lap just before the season kicked off, highlighted by three consecutive hat-tricks during the first half of the campaign.
“We thought he was going to play a bit higher up but he ended up going back to midfield,” Zito said.
“Whenever he’s on the ball, we try and get bodies around him and get pressure around the area.
“I think we managed him really well. I don’t think he had a lot of influence on the game.”
Young sensation Black sure did, though, having now netted 12 times for the seniors in 2024 to nicely complement his whopping haul of 40 at youth level.
“He’s a very motivated kid,” Zito said.
“He’s a terrific young player and he’s got plenty of time to keep developing.
“His hunger and passion are like no other and it’s so good to have him on our team.”
In the other Sunday semi, Eaglehawk took out the all-western clash with Strathdale at McEwen Reserve after goals to Kane Ralston and Caden Meeks — his fourth in five games — secured a 2-0 win.
The Ibises may have blown many teams away in a dominant campaign, but Eaglehawk brought the fight unlike most others despite coming up short in both home-and-away fixtures.
Thus, there will be no room for complacency out of Zito’s men.
“We always know Eaglehawk’s going to bring a big fight in the contest,” Zito said.
“They’ll be up for it and we’ll have to bring our best knowing it won’t be a walkover by any stretch.
“We’re definitely ready for another grand final, but it’s incredible to have three teams going next weekend, just great for the club.”
Much as in the men’s senior competition, first and second have won their way through to the women’s decider as well.
In another here-versus-there affair, Shepparton United will meet Spring Gully United after the girls in blue accounted for Strathsfieldsaye Colts 2-0 on their home pitch at McEwen through strikes from Keira Muskee and the ever-reliable Rosemarene Legalo.
Spring Gully, meanwhile, overcame La Trobe University 2-1 to advance to the final day.
Sports Journalist