by Jim Gordon
Woomelang Lascelles came from fourth place on the Mallee Football League ladder to snatch the Premiership flag from Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers by just two points. In a soul stirring victory, the crowd favourites needed a late goal from Dwayne Hamlyn to hit the front and just managed to hold off the Tigers in the frantic final few minutes. The Tigers were heading towards goal when the final siren sounded on a game that will long be remembered in Mallee football.
This contest between local rivals was a wonderful spectacle for the huge crowd in attendance. Conditions were perfect, gate takings of $22,876 is a record for the MFL and Blackburn Park look a picture. Unfortunately nothing will cheer up the Tigers who have now racked up three years in a row as runners up.
After some very one-sided Grand Finals in recent years, this game was everything the crowd hoped for as a spectacle. Scores were tight all day. The Cats got away in what proved to be a match winning third quarter, but the Tigers came back in the final term to hit the front, only to lose the lead right when it mattered most.
It was a tough and tight game right from the opening bounce. Tackling was fierce, immediate and ruthless from both sides. The umpires were forced to throw the ball up to disperse packs that regularly formed. Nevertheless, the umpires maintained firm control, they were decisive and not afraid to dish out 50m penalties or free kicks down field. Hamlyn’s match winning major was courtesy of a 50m penalty.
Twice in a matter of minutes in the first term players scored goals after 50m penalties. Jayden Lonergan’s goal from a penalty was quickly followed by another after a spectacular mark and when Matt Elliott goaled after a free kick and 50m, the scores were level at the first break.
As well as tightness in close, high marking was a feature of the game. Both sides had skilful tall players who could take one grab marks. Simon Weekley, Cliff Ryan and Dan McEwan for the Tigers; Mark Charleson, Jayden Lonergan and Martin Jones for the Cats. However, it was the marking skills and accurate passing of Anthony Foott that proved decisive for the winners.
Foott’s first great grab came early in the first term when he halted a Tiger forward thrust with a spectacular pack mark. He played on and with an accurate pass found Aaron Lonergan at half forward. Nothing came of that move, but it set up Foott’s contribution for the day. In the second quarter, and with the game well and truly in the balance, Foott and Martin Jones regularly held up the opposition with timely marks across half back.
When Woomelang Lascelles were on top in the third term and getting a lot of the ball out of the centre, Foott found himself all alone across half back and was able to repel several Tiger forward moves. Foott was one of the Cats responsible for getting his side on top and in a match winning position. He was a deserved winner of the best-on-ground medallion.
Chris McMahon has had a great final series for the Cats. Following on from his best-on-ground performance last week, he picked up from where he left off when he gathered the ball early in the second term and passed off to Jayden Lonergan. This was followed by an adept move minutes later when he got the ball to Clayton Lee who missed his shot on goal.
Jayden Lonergan is another who continued on with their fine form from the preliminary final with a powerful display in his forwardline. Lonergan roamed all around his forward 50m arc, leading quickly and holding overhead marks. He was too quick and strong for John Guthrie and by the time Stephen Lyons proved an effective weapon for the Tigers in the final term, Lonergan had done the damage.
His five goals could have been more with greater accuracy. In the final quarter, and with his side enjoying a 19 point three quarter time lead, Lonergan kicked three behinds after Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers had scored the opening goal of the quarter through Cliff Ryan. If any of Lonergan’s points had been goals, it would have steadied the Cats, whereas when Darcy Ryan (who had a great final quarter) goaled, the difference was back to seven points and the Tigers were back in the race.
In that tense last term, three Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers stood out and got their side in a winning position. Dan McEwan had a great duel with Charleson in the ruck and the youngster came alive in the final term and he was one of few players on the field who did not look tired. McEwan had rucked for the majority of the day, but Luke Martin opened the final quarter on the ball, freeing up McEwan. Cliff Ryan was another to stand up and score goals and Darcy Ryan gave the Tigers drive out of the centre.
Col Durie was great all day. Always ready and able to provide his side with an option, Durie lined up next to Trent Donnan at centre bounces, but from then on, the two protagonists seemed to go their own way. Durie was a prolific ball winner and Donnan used the ball beautifully when he had control. Matt Elliott had a good opening to the game. His tackling early was a feature.
It is hard to differentiate between the two combatants on the day. Ryan and Weekley up forward for the Tigers, Lonergan for the Cats; both sides tackled fiercely, kicked accurately and missed shots that should have been taken. High marking was a feature, long kicking and plenty of ball ups and free kicks to both sides. Maybe in the end it was the body strength of the Woomelang Lascelle’s mid sized and bigger players that got them over the line. Players of the likes of Dwayne Hamlyn, the Donnans, the Lonergans, Chris McMahon and Kane Bannam kept attacking the ball at all costs all day - even when those around them were tiring in that frantic last quarter.
Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers were desperately unlucky to go down in what was a memorable Grand Final. They have had a great year and certainly gave everything they had.
Nevertheless 2013 will be remembered as the Cats’ year. As the season has progressed they have gained in confidence, they are a fit and tough side with a spread of skill all over the ground. Woomelang Lascelles are worthy 2013 MFL Premiers!
Last Modified on 15/09/2013 20:10
