RYE will play Frankston Bombers in the MPNFL Nepean Division preliminary final this weekend after ending Dromana's season on Saturday.
Rye overcame a slow start to work their way back into the game, winning by a goal. It was a sad end to Dromana's season after they occupied top spot on the ladder for 17 of the 18 weeks.
In Sunday's second semi-final, Sorrento led Frankston Bombers for the majority of the afternoon to win 9.13 (67) to 7.13 (55).
In the first semi-final on Saturday, Dromana led by 29 points at quarter-time and 12 points at half-time, but went down 11.9 (75) to 10.9 (69).
Rye came out of the blocks in a spirited fashion in the third term at Rosebud's Olympic Park, booting six goals to one to grab a stranglehold on the match.
The Demons went into the three-quarter time huddle with an 18-point break.
Rye was well aware after watching the previous week's game that the Tigers would come hard at them in the last quarter. They did, kicking 3.1 to 1.1, but went down by one straight kick.
It was the third final in a row Dromana had lost, after going down in the grand final last season.
Greg Stafford proved to be the difference in attack for Rye with four goals. James Keem, Aaron Findlay and small forward Jason Arnold each finished with two majors.
Ben Holmes did a power of work from half-forward and through the middle of the ground, as did Stevey Ryan, who presented all day.
Luke Hardwick has made a significant difference to this Rye side and he was again outstanding, and Ben Cain made it two star performances in as many weeks.
Paul Minchington kicked three goals for the Tigers and Rikki Johnston and Michael Hunter finished with a couple each. Ricci Quinn, Tommy Wright and 20-year-old Ryan Worn worked hard for the duration.
Sorrento has a big opportunity of winning back-to-back premierships after beating Frankston Bombers.
The Bombers got away to a great start and had seven scoring shots to one in the opening term but couldn't convert their opportunities.
The Sorras saw the gate ajar and pounced, kicking five goals to one in the second quarter and opening up what turned out to be a match-winning 16-point lead.
Troy Schwarze finished with three goals for the Sorras, two of which came in quick succession in the second quarter before Ryan Lonie went to mind him.
Benny McCormack was outstanding across half-back for the winners and Scotty Cameron dominated in the ruck, which was a big concern for Frankston considering they had Chris Longley, Danny Marshall and even Haydn Moore who could have triple teamed him.
Warrick Scanlon also shut down Moore, which again posed a massive headache for Frankston.
The Bombers failed to have a multiple goal kicker, although Nathan Lonie and Brian O'Carroll were again the standout performers. Mark Harrison and Shaun Wilkey were both given jobs and did them admirably.
In the reserves, Pearcedale reversed the two home and away season results and beat Sorrento 4.8 (32) to 2.4 (16) in the first semi-final and in the second semi, Frankston had the better of Rye, winning 8.7 (55) to 3.7 (25).
In the under-18s, Red Hill continued its march, beating Sorrento 9.4 (58) to 5.4 (34) to advance to the preliminary final against Frankston Bombers, who went down 8.11 (59) to 6.11 (47) to Somerville, which moved into the grand final.
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