ONLY a lacklustre third term diminished the enormity of Sea Lake Nandaly’s 54-point win over Boort in Saturday’s North Central Football League first semi-final at Boort.
The reigning premiers lost the toss but outscored Boort in the opening term.
Ryan O’Sullivan’s aerial strength was creating constant opportunities once both sides worked out their finals nerves.
Sea Lake defended better in that opening term and limited Boort’s entries into its forward arc.
The Tigers worked hard to limit the influence of Jhye Baddeley-Kelly but when JBK was being bookended, Tom Potter was bobbing around the midfield and up forward. Matt Austin was also dogged in the second term.
Boort’s breakthrough on the scoreboard came early after the first break when Baddeley-Kelly handballed to Ethan Coleman who kicked one of the side’s three goals for the term. Youngster Lachie Hal’s goal came through staying cool as the Tigers tried to swamp him.
The Pies showed more spirit for most of the third term and for 10 minutes, it looked like Sea Lake had cut its work rate to a canter. James Keeble gave Boort some spark with a goal, only to see Sea Lake switch back into gear and answer the challenge.
The final term had Baddeley-Kelly kicking his only goal for the match while Sea Lake’s Josh Jenkins was the magnet at the other end of the ground.  the magnet at the other end of the ground.
- CHRIS EARL