Strong Warriors outfit first through to UGSFL decider after dominant semifinal win over Katanning Wanderers

Premiership favourites Wickepin have advanced directly to the Upper Great Southern Football League grand final after accounting for Katanning Wanderers by 40 points at Boddington on Saturday. The Warriors led at every change in the highly-anticipated second semifinal to brush aside the second-placed Tigers, emerging with a resounding 12.9 (81) to 6.5 (41) victory. The Warriors set the tone early, kicking four goals and holding their opposition scoreless in the first term to open up a 26-point advantage at the first break. The Tigers responded in the second quarter and booted their first three goals but the Warriors kept finding answers, firing back with three of their own in a see-sawing term. The Warriors snagged two majors in the third term and held the Tigers to just a single point as they pushed the margin to 34 points at the last break. Despite the Tigers finishing strong with three goals, they lamented a lacklustre defensive display as the Warriors stormed home with four majors in a rampant final term to seal the victory. Warriors’ Matt Jukes provided an exceptional target in the forward line, kicking five crucial goals in the contest alongside Callan Sims (two goals). Flynn Spark, Kye Barker, Callum Garcia, Jack O’Sullivan and Jaxon Ramsay were the standouts in the win as the Warriors now enjoy a week’s rest before the league decider. Key forward Josh Goodwin was the only multiple goal-kicker for the Tigers with two majors to his name and he was well supported by Caleb Keley, Joshua McMahon, Liam Hansen, Mitchell Banks, James Laurino and Codie Mills-Durack in the defeat. The Tigers will have a chance for redemption as a result of their double chance and will square off with first semifinal winners Boddington at Wickepin in the preliminary final this Saturday. The Eagles went down by two points in their last encounter between the two sides in round 11. In the minor grades second semifinals, Narrogin Hawks were eight-point victors over Williams in the reserves. The Hawks also swept the remaining grades, winning the thirds final against Wagin by 12 points and downing the Tigers by 13 points in the fourths to advance to the grand final.