Harper Sercombe
Albion will have to do it the hard way in the Western Region Football League division 2 finals series.
The finals kicked off with a bang as the Cats took on Parkside at Hansen reserve in a semi final.
The Cats booted the first goal of the game before Parkside started to get on top and prove why they have been the best side all year.
The Magpies dominated the second quarter but were unable to translate it onto the scoreboard, taking just a 15 point lead into half time.
In the third quarter the Cats came out strong and kicked a couple of goals to swing the momentum in their favour including a 50 metre set-shot bomb from Tyler Parkinson, to cut the lead to 11 at the break.
In the last the Magpies got back on top of the game and dominated the territory battle, beating the Cats 7.4(46)-4.6 (30).
The Cats lost Caleb Mcpherson early to a leg injury which hurt them with their rotations, it didn’t get easier when Parkinson was handed a yellow card during the second quarter.
Darcy Mcpherson was one of the Cats best, he booted two of their four majors and was lively up forward. Ashton Muir was the other goal scorer for the Cats. Daniel Bramich was a rock in defence for the Cats, taking plenty of marks.
Best on ground was Parkside’s young wingman Hudson Barrett. He was enormous all day, playing the wing role tirelessly playing a crucial role in between the arcs. He also showed his endurance capabilities to snag a goal against the run of play late in the third term and take big defensive pack marks in the last to help keep the game in the Magpies favour.
The Cats will play Newport next week for another shot to get into the big dance.