IT was a dream come true for Southern Dragons, while the nightmare continued for Mt Waverley in Saturday's Southern Football League McDonald Real Estate Division 3 Grand Final at Cheltenham.
In just their fifth season as a senior club, the Dragons swept to victory by 32 points, 14.12 (96) to 9.10 (64), claiming their first-ever premiership.
"It's an unbelievable feeling, just unbelievable," ecstatic Dragons coach Tom Cochwill said after the historic win.
"We had to take the long road in the end. We had a great run when we won six in a row but then we were hit by heaps of injuries."
"But we got everyone back just in time for the finals and the last month has just been an incredible team effort."
The Dragons led at every change and answered every challenge thrown at them by the Mountain Lions, in what Cochwill described as "a real arm-wrestle".
The pain of a fourth consecutive grand final loss was etched on the face of every Mt Waverley player at the final siren and even the conquering coach felt for them.
"I couldn't help but feel for them," Cochwill said. "They were totally shattered and that is fully understandable."
The Dragons were the only team to better Mount during the season, beating it twice.
And they did it again on the day that really mattered, led by the brilliant Jason Yap in the middle.
Yap's dominance earned him the Meneilly Medal for best afield in the Grand Final.
Just a few hours later, his great season was rewarded with the club's best-and-fairest award.
Skipper Pangnha Chhiev again led by example and was ably supported by Andrew Do in defence.
Ben Lin came off the bench to snare two inspirational goals, but the individual story of the day belonged to 26-year-old Huan Nguyen, who earned himself a premiership medallion in his very first senior game for the club.
"Huey's been playing in our reserves and has been starring on the backline in recent games, so we gave him the nod for his first game in the Grand Final," Cochwill said.
He did not let the selectors down and his accomplished display earned him a mention in the top four players on the day.
Among the many others to shine for the premiers were Tom Clappers in the midfield and Paul Rueda, who booted three goals.
The devastated Mountain Lions were well served by Jacob Atwood, Shane Costantino, Chris Jeffries, Ben Stacey and ruckman Jarrod Wilkin.
Like so many of his teammates, Wilkin, a veteran of so many Grand Final losses, must be wondering if his turn will ever come.
Earlier it had been a better day for the Mountain Lions with their reserve grade side beating the Southern Dragons, 9.12 (66) to 6.10 (46), to win the flag.
Story courtesy of Daryl Pitman, Leader Community Newspaper.
Last Modified on 15/11/2011 13:18