Darlington Point Coleambally will take on Waratahs in the Group 20 first grade grand final next Sunday after picking up a 36-18 win over West Wyalong at Ron Crowe Oval.
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The Roosters were able to strike first with Dillon Bartter pushing his way across the line and used their momentum to establish a healthy advantage.
Sam Bartter then followed his brother over the line after making an intercept and charging 70 metres to score in the corner while a try to Billy Robb and then a penalty goal by captain Josh Veivers saw the DPC side leading 20-0 after 25 minutes.
Veivers thought the start was what made the difference
"We talked about it all week that we got four really slow starts, so we said if we get a slow start against these guys it'd be really hard to come back," he said.
"We came out firing and got a good start for once, and I think it really shook them up a bit, they didn't know what to do after we gave it to them in the first 20 minutes."
Both sides were reduced to 12 players with West Wyalong's Cameron Miller sent to the sin bin for a high fend off while DPC's Dillon Bartter was given a 10-minute break after a high shot.
The Mallee Men were able to make a much-needed impression on the scoreboard just before halftime with co-coach Jake Goodwin able to get over the line to see the home side trailing 20-6 at the break.
With 11 minutes gone in the second half the Mallee Men reduced the gap further with Jarrad Currathers able to get on the end of a Braiden Jones kick to bring the score back to eight points.
The Roosters didn't let the Mallee Men get on top however a try to Drew Hopwood and a second to Dillon Bartter saw the DPC side put one foot into the decider with a 30-12 lead with 19 minutes remaining.
Not willing to just let their season die the Mallee Men tried to get themselves back into the game with Jones able to get over the line and convert his own try to bring the margin back to 12-points however Hopwood scored his second try of the afternoon to wrap up the Roosters spot in the decider.
Veivers praised the work of his forwards.
"We really challenged our forwards to match Wyalong's forwards because Wyalong has been the most dominant team all year through the middle," he said.
"I think they really stood up and matched it with them and I think that's what got us the win because when we did match them, they didn't have another gear to go to."
Veivers was also pleased with his side's improved discipline, which had been a concern in recent weeks, and felt the early momentum helped them stay on task.
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