THE Bomaderry Tigers' hopes of a third straight AFL South Coast women's premier division grand final appearance were dashed on Saturday, after losing to the Wollongong Bulldogs.
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In the semi-final at the Nowra Showground, neither team could kick a goal in the opening term due to the windy conditions - as the visitors led by just three points.
Both sides got on the scoreboard in the second, as the Bulldogs, who defeated the Tigers in the 2019 grand final, led 1.4-10 to 1.3-9 at the main break.
The see-sawing fixture continued in the third, with both sides spending time in front before the Dogs held a one-point advantage going into the final change.
Knowing they needed a score, the Tigers pressed in the fourth quarter and did everything but kick a goal on the Bulldogs.
Then against the run of play, in eerily similar fashion to last year's decider, the Bulldogs kicked their third major of the afternoon.
This goal proved pivotal, as they held on to win 3.4-22 to 2.3-15, to book their spot in the grand final - where they'll play the Wollongong Saints, who smashed Kiama 10.11-71 to 0.0-0 in the other playoff.
Kyrsty Bishop (two) and Luisa Marzotto kicked goals for the victors while Tiffany Weynberg and Emma Dempsey got on the scoresheet for Geoff Gibbs' Tigers.
In the loss, Bridget Kellett, Rhianna Nelson, Grace Hughes, India Patmore and Rose Hughes did all they could for the black and golds.
In men's premiers division, the grand final will feature Figtree and Bulldogs, who defeated Wollongong Lions (18.12-120 to 5.2-32) and Kiama (9.7-61 to 8.8-56) respectively.
While in men's division one, Nowra-Albatross will contest their second straight decider after defeating Ulladulla 7.15-57 to 2.1-13 in the semi-final at West Street Oval - with Liam James kicking three goals for the victors.
The Vikings will now play Figtree, who downed the Bulldogs 13.5-83 to 5.1-31, in the final.
These three divisions' grand finals will be played on Saturday, October 10 at North Dalton Park.
AFLSC's two other senior divisions held their decider on Saturday.
In men's division two, Figtree outlasted Shellharbour 6.12-48 to 1.4-10, while the Suns edged Saints 3.5-23 to 1.0-6 in the division one women's finale.
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