Eastern Eyre, with two big wins over Far West and Whyalla, won group two to play the play-off in the last game on Monday.

In group two Great Flinders, with a nail biting one-point win over Port Lincoln, and then a seven point win in extra time over Mid West, won the right to play Eastern.

The day had scattered light showers and a crosswind that ever so slightly favoured the scoreboard pocket, with an estimated crowd of 800 to 900 people in attendance.

They got to see some of the toughest and hardest body-on-body footy played in many a year, with players going smack bang at the ball to give their team the advantage and momentum.

In game three Whyalla repeated last year’s win

Whyalla 10-6 (66) d Far West 0-3 (3).

The red and blue colours of Whyalla returned to Centenary for their second consecutive year in the modern era of Mortlock to take on Far West, who they beat by 11 points on the Monday last year.

The result would again go Whyalla’s way but by a far bigger margin this year, as they won by 63 points.

Coach Ken Burton was again in charge and would have been pleased with the team’s effort as they settled quickly and dominated with good teamwork and a high work rate.

Whyalla were prepared to run and share the ball and established a 20 point lead at the half time break, kicking 3-4 to Far West’s two behinds.

The second half saw Whyalla play more constructive football, kicking seven goals, and down the back they continued to shut down Far West from registering a goal for the whole game.

Whyalla had nine players to get the two flags waving with Matty Stanton being the only multi-goal kicker with two goals, emphasising their game plan to run and share the ball.

Lee Ringland, a very promising under-21 player, put in a non-stop classy effort, kicking a goal, which was just reward for his effort.

Captain Ryan Baker, who was one of Whyalla’s best last year, was again in the group of best players.

Gavin Jonker, along with Bradley Page, with one goal, found plenty of the ball and made good use, regularly finding the targets.

For Far West it had been a hard day, or morning, in this case with their commitments finished by 1pm.

Once again Lachlan Brown shone out like a lighthouse in the midfield for Far West, with strong support from Keenan Warmington.

Rohan Scott again was the warhorse as he tried to valiantly lift his team.

While Far West, to put it honestly, were well short of both Eastern Eyre and Whyalla’s playing list, their football management should be proud of their under 21 brigade who played their hearts out in representing their league.

The final before the final score thrashed Whyalla out.

Eastern Eyre 5-10 (40) d Whyalla 1-4 (10)

Whyalla had their chance to make the final and were well fancied to do the job.

Eastern Eyre also had that same chance and the game opened up with plenty of body clashes in the early stages.

With the early sorting out over, Eastern Eyre settled and went on to kick three first half goals to Whyalla’s lone point.

Eastern Eyre’s Mick Edwards continued on his good form in the first game with his attack on the ball and at the contest.

Leigh Fitzgerald was at his best and captain Matt Lienert does not know how to play a bad game, with Kyle Jenner and Nathan Johnson doing the job up forward.

Whyalla were holding their own down the back when under constant pressure, but when they did go forward were lacking a player that could take the big mark, managing only the one goal in the second half through Dwayne Colson, another of their promising under 21 players.

The conditions after the many showers had the ball feeling like a cake of Palmolive Gold and all players worked hard to get some run in the game, ensuring that the tradition of Mortlock lives on.