Wickers have no answer for the …

By Mark Gullick
CRANBOURNE booked its first grand final appearance since 1995 after smashing Berwick by 112 points in the second semi-final at Edwin Flack Reserve on Saturday.
The Eagles smothered and harrassed the Wickers in a relentless, intense four-quarter display that confirmed its premiership favouritism.
By quarter-time, Cranbourne had answered every query going into the match; it’s long lay-off, it’s poor recent record at the venue, but most significantly, it had seemingly shaken the nerves that plagued last year’s finals campaign.
Cranbourne’s Matthew Fletcher secured the first goal of the match, converting a free-kick before both teams added two goals apiece.
Cranbourne dominated by winning the majority of clearances, and was able to win the ball back off Berwick because of its persistent pressure.
The Eagles kicked the last four goals of the term – through Jarrod Murphy, Ryan Jones, Marc Holt and Jones again – to hold a 28-point lead at the first change.
Early goals to Caleb Tiller, Holt, Fletcher – who outmarked three defenders – and Matthew Rus, rapidly increased Cranbourne’s lead to 56 points at half-time.
Cranbourne piled on 11 goals to two in the second half.
“We were pretty solid at the footy, which was good,” Cranbourne coach Doug Koop said. “The boys are pretty committed at this point in time.”
Key players were defender Andre Young, unsung heroes Matthew Rus and Matthew Thompson, and midfielders Curtise Barker and Ryan Jones (three goals). Captain Marc Holt booted six goals, while Jarrod Murphy slipped under the Wickers’ guard to kick five.
“Holt has been good all year for us, which continued in the finals,” Koop said.
“(Murphy) made the most of his opportunities and played very well.”
Cranbourne has another bye before the grand final on 24 September.
“It’s like playing SuperRules, really,” Koop said.
“But the boys have adapted well. A couple probably need the bye, so hopefully come the final, they’ll be 100 per cent right.”