Ongerup fail in bid to reach grand final

Ongerup Football Association were left to rue a poor first half against Goldfields Football League as they failed to reach the division 2 grand final at the Landmark Country Football Championships in Perth at the weekend.

After a first-up win over the Great Southern Football League last month, the OFA came up against Goldfields in their second game of the south pool in division 2 but were let down by their first-half performance.

The OFA conceded eight goals in the first 20 minutes as Goldfields took a 44-point lead into the break and, despite a much better second half, they were unable to overhaul the title fancies, going down 3.7 (25) to 11.9 (75).

Key forward Chris Wollaston was superb kicking two goals in the 50-point loss, while Tyler Caldwell and midfield pair Isaac Baum and Luke Bairstow were also strong contributors.

Facing Eastern Districts Football League in their final regular game, the OFA needed a big win to remain a hope of finishing on top of their pool and rely on the GSFL beating the Goldfields.

The OFA played superbly on their way to a 40-point victory, with Wollaston in dominant form up front, while Bairstow and Baum had the ball on a string.

Wollaston took strong contested marks and bagged five goals, while Jayden Brooks added two in the 9.5 (59) to 3.1 (19) result to keep them alive in the competition.

However, Goldfields belted the GSFL to remain unbeaten and progressed to Sunday’s decider to end the OFA’s carnival which had started so brightly.

Wollaston and Bairstow were rewarded for their outstanding carnivals with selection in the Landmark Country All Stars.