Eastern Districts ensured that their time in Division 3 would be short lived with a commanding 28-point win over Great Southern in the Division 3 decider on Sunday.

With three sides locked on three wins apiece following the qualifying matches it came down to percentage as both the Great Southern and Eastern Districts progressed into the decider ahead of the Regional Allstars.

After only five points separated the two sides in the qualifying fixture the crowd gathered early on Sunday at Claremont Oval were hopeful of another close encounter however Eastern Districts put that theory to bed on the back of kicking the first five majors of the match.

Two late Great Southern majors looked reduced the margin to 19 points at the first change.

The second term was an arm wrestle with both sides unable to build any momentum in the slippery conditions. A goal to Nukarni’s David Gare the only major for the quarter giving Eastern Districts a 27-point lead at the main break.

Any chance the Great Southern had of clawing their way back into the contest was extinguished in the third term as Eastern Districts not only restricted their opponents to three behinds for the term they also managed to kick two majors through Captain Alex James and sharp shooter Cody Nelson to take a commanding 40-point lead into the final term.

That was extended to 46 points early in the last when Aiden Anthony kicked his third and the promotion to Division 2 had been secured.

Three late majors added some respectability to the scoreboard though it was all Eastern Districts in a dominant display, running out 28-point winners.

Gare was everywhere in a best on ground display to be awarded the Landmark trophy. He received great support from Anthony, James Culleton and Josh Nelson. Anthony finished with three majors whilst Gare and Cody Nelson each chimed in with two.

For the Great Southern Ryan Kinnear, Michael Trevenen and Nick barrow all toiled hard in a losing cause whilst Kym Monteath finished with two majors.

EASTERN DISTRICTS 9.10-64 def GREAT SOUTHERN 5.6-36

GOALS

Eastern Districts: A Anthony 3, D Gare 2, C Nelson 2, A James, A Cook

Great Southern: K Monteath 2, K Gibbs, Z Pearson, L Cameron

BEST

Eastern Districts: J Culleton, J Nelson, A Anthony, D Gare

Great Southern: R Kinnear, M Trevenen, N Barrow, L Hutcheson

LANDMARK MEDAL (Grand Final BOG) - David Gare, Eastern Districts

For full carnival results visit: LANDMARK COUNTRY FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2018