NMFL preliminary final: Dongara knock off Three Springs and fly into grand final

Dongara, wooden spooners from last year, are now into the North Midlands Football League grand final after knocking off Three Springs in the preliminary final.

Dongara entered as the underdogs after coming in as the fourth seed, while Three Springs were unlucky not to capture the minor premiership this season.

Despite that, the Eagles got the best of the Bombers on Saturday at Morawa, downing them 15.14 (104) to 11.6 (72).

In recent matches between the two sides, the Bombers had won the past two clashes while Dongara got the win in their first encounter.

Three Springs got off to an early lead but both teams fired in the first quarter, with the Bombers having the slight advantage 3.3 (21) to 2.2 (14) at quarter-time.

The Eagles came fighting back in the second term and made it just a two-point game at the main break.

The second half is where the game was won and lost, with the Eagles soaring out of half-time to take a commanding lead.

Dongara led by 12-points at three-quarter time and extended their advantage in the last quarter to seal the victory.

Dongara will now fight for the flag and look to cap off the massive worst-to-first turnaround.

Three Springs also reached the grand final last year after claiming the wooden spoon the year before.

Now Three Springs are left planning their players’ trip after being sent out of the finals in straight sets, failing to redeem their loss in the decider last year.

The Bombers hold the longest premiership drought in the league, with their last flag coming in 2005 – but the side will have to wait another year to buck the trend.

Dongara now faces Coorow-Latham in the grand final at Carnamah Oval this Saturday.

Coorow finished the season as minor premiers, putting up an 11-3-1 record, with their draw and one of the losses coming at the hands of Dongara.

The Magpies fell flat in the finals last year, going out in straight sets but have shown they have premiership calibre – winning the flag in 2022 and 2021.

Dongara’s last premiership came in 2019 when they beat Morawa and will be now out to claim their seventh in club history.