While on Sunday, a resurgent Violet Town secured safe passage to a semi-finals bout with a 48-36 win over Murchison-Toolamba at Nagambie Recreation Reserve.
Merrigum mentor Olivia Jackson said she wanted her side to take it up to Stanhope early and it did exactly that.
“The girls came out firing from the start, we were ready and raring to go,” Jackson said.
“Breanna Baker, Hannah Gardiner and Ebony Halliwell — their defensive pressure was amazing, as soon as Stanhope missed their goals, we were up getting the rebounds and that made a massive difference.
“The strength from Latia Doherty and Amelia Lowe in our attacking ring was awesome, they really stepped up today and their connection was just next level.
“It’s super exciting, Merrigum A-grade haven’t made it this far into finals in a long, long time, I’m not sure what the stats are, but I think it’s over 10 years, we’re pretty stoked about that.”
Jackson said the low-scoring encounter was typical of a finals-type game.
“It was very physical, every ball was contested and everyone wanted it,” she said.
“I think in the last quarter it took about five minutes to score a goal, I think it just showed the want for the ball and the work-rate from both teams was very high.
“The defensive pressure all over the court was really great.”
Earning MVP for the Bulldogs was a surprise inclusion along the Merrigum wing, with Georgia Wilson stepping up from B-grade to produce a superb finals performance.
“She was up from B-grade, so grateful we could have her with B-grade having a week off,” Jackson said.
“With our injuries and shortage of players, she was an absolute weapon in wing attack, her feeds into our goalers were just immaculate.
“She’s a goaler herself, so I think that definitely worked in her favour, her drives, feeding from the ring and her direction and patience with them was just great as well.”
The Bulldogs will take on either Tallygaroopna or Nagambie at Central Park in a fortnight.
Unfortunately, a stunning race into finals came to a screeching halt in the first round for Murchison-Toolamba, which went down to Violet Town by 12 goals.
The Towners will face the loser of the Shepparton East and Dookie United encounter in the semi-finals.
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