WHEN Mirboo North went into half time yesterday with a four goal lead and control of the match, they were expected to hold Yallourn/Yallourn North off and do just enough to win.
But not even the most ardent Mirboo North supporters could have predicted the way the Tigers came out after half time and destroyed the Bombers.
The Tigers kicked 10 goals to nil in a stunning third term and coasted home to a 70 point win to set up a preliminary final with Yinnar.
Mirboo North sent a clear message to the remaining finalists Yinnar and Trafalgar that it has all intentions of defending its back-to-back flags.
And there is no reason to think the Tigers cannot win a third.
They were at their best in yesterday's demolition job, winning 23.9 (147) to 11.11 (77).
There were early signs that the Tigers had come out to play when they piled on three quick goals in the opening minutes of the game.
Don Webb again proved a force in the ruck against YYN youngster Matt Cunningham, while Kris Berchtold's skills in the air and Peter Mongta's drive out of the centre gave the Tigers early control.
The Bombers finally settled and withstood the Tigers' barrage of goals.
Goals to Cunningham and Simon Duff got YYN back into the game before Mirboo North coach Troy Hamilton took advantage of a 50 metre penalty to slot one through.
Three Tiger goals in as many minutes early in the second term threatened to snuff out YYN's hopes but the Bombers stuck with the Tigers.
Andrew Burnett replaced David Stevens on Berchtold but the Mirboo North centre half forward continued to win the marking contests and booted two in the second quarter.
YYN had its chances late in the term but failed to capitalise and the Tigers held a reasonable four goal margin at half time.
In the third quarter the Tigers tore their smaller opponents apart.
There was little the Bombers could do as the Tigers' play unfolded with precision out of every centre bounce.
Time and time again Webb palmed it down to his midfielders, Mongta, Byron Dalliston, Damien Turner and Simon Busuttil, who would push forward with long, accurate kicking to the powerful forwards.
Ben Stoops found form to boot three goals for the Tigers in a five minute purple patch during the third term.
When Webb wasn't deflecting the Bombers' few forward forays in defence, he was up forward taking strong marks and goaling.
Even veteran Tiger defender Dale Banks got in on the action, sneaking forward for a couple of goals after getting the better of YYN goal kicker Tim Phillips in defence.
By three quarter time the Tigers' lead had blown out to 86 points and the Bombers' unexpected finals campaign was over.
Webb's work rate in the ruck was nothing short of brilliant and he was clearly best on ground.
As for other better players, the Tigers had more than a dozen who were at the top of their game and could have shared the honours.
Berchtold was an unstoppable force and rarely dropped a mark.
Turner found space on every occasion, Banks ran the ball from the backline with pace, Stoops made the most of his chances in front of goal when the ball went to ground in the forward line.
When Hamilton played up forward he gave his side a powerful marking option, while down back he was also solid.
Stoops booted six telling goals and Berchtold and Webb contributed with four each.
If Mirboo North's outstanding third term was taken out of the equation, the Bombers were not disgraced.
They outscored the Tigers six goals to four in the final quarter but by then the damage was done.
Todd Dobson stepped up to the finals level for the second week in a row and gave YYN the pace they needed in the absence of captain Barrie Burnett.
Despite his opponent Webb dominating, Cunningham did not lower his colours as he battled hard.
Tom Hutton showed plenty of promise and never gave up until the end, booting three goals.
After surprising many by winning seemingly impossible games during the season and making their way into the second week of finals, the young Bombers can look forward to a few productive years ahead.
The $9250 gate at Mirboo North was a first semi final record.
In the reserves, Newborough was knocked out of the finals series after going down to Morwell East by 41 points.
The match was close at three quarter time with just 13 points separating the two sides after the Bulldogs fought back during the third term.
But five goals to one in the last quarter sealed an emphatic 12.14 (86) to 7.3 (45) win for the Hawks.
John Pollutro, Brent Harriage and Roger Henry were the Hawks' best with Steve Tobin Sr booting five goals.
For Newborough Scott Aitken, Jason Allan and Simon Janiw played well.
Trafalgar's thirds kept their finals campaign alive with a 13.12 (90) to 8.8 (56) victory.
Jake Malady was Trafalgar's best, with Nathan McMillan and Joel Braganolo (four goals) also among the better players.
Nick Talerico stood out for Morwell East along with Corey Celima and Jesse Bowe.
In the fourths Newborough moved into the preliminary final after defeating Morwell East by 20 points.
Steven Hibbs, Jake Bowden and William Troy were the Bulldogs' best while for the Hawks, Brandon Francis, Andrew Maynard and Luke Vandyke got the honours.
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