DARREN MONCRIEFF
Tuesday 27 September, 2011
NO-ONE would have cared had Alroy Gilligan not bothered to make a desperate, lunging tackle on an opponent in the goal square with half-a-second remaining on grand final day with his team up by 50 points.
But the Kimberley teenager did what his football instincts told him to and his reward was a free-kick in front of goal to put the icing on the cake for his side, Claremont, which broke a 15-year premiership drought after defeating Subiaco at Subiaco Oval in the WAFL Grand Final on Sunday.
Gilligan (pictured) put the cherry on top of that cake when his post-siren kick went through the big sticks which made the final margin 56 points, 19.13 (127) to 10.11 (71).
The goal was the one-time Richmond AFL rookie Gilligan's third for the game. He shared Sunday's breakthrough premiership with countryman Gerrick Weedon, who kicked one major for Claremont.
The win has gone some to easing the pain of the Tigers' one-point loss to Swan Districts last year, the game that reignited Andrew Krakouer's AFL fortunes with a best-on-ground 40-possession performance.
On Sunday, it was the Kimberley Tigers' time to shine.
Gilligan's post-siren goal provided a neat bookend to the match which saw Subiaco's Des Headland kick the game's first goal, a clever left-foot snap under pressure.
AFL Indigenous All-Star Headland, whose right leg was heavily strapped, battled gamely for the Lions in what could be his last game in the WAFL. His three goals for Subiaco were the equal highest.
In what was certainly his last game in the WAFL, Allistair Pickett also fought hard for Subiaco, his brilliant banana-kick goal in the first quarter bringing the Lions faithful to their feet.
Former West Coast rookie Adam Cockie was finding some rhythm for the Lions before an awkward landing saw him tear a medial ligament in his knee during the second quarter. He later returned to the field but was not 100 per cent right.
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 30/09/2011 13:25