Traralgon has won the 2015 TRRM Gippsland League senior premiership, denying Leongatha and its inspirational coach Beau Vernon a fairytale flag in the process.
In front of a record crowd of more than 5500 people at Traralgon Recreation Reserve, the Maroons claimed their 20th senior premiership and third of the Gippsland League era, with a 12.11 (83) to 7.11 (53) victory.
Click here for a full gallery of photos from grand final day 2015
The Maroons displayed clean skills and composure befitting a champion team and never allowed the talented Parrots line-up the momentum it so desperately desired.
Vernon, who became a quadriplegic in an on-field incident in 2012, was in his first season of coaching and his story added national interest to the usual theatre of a country football grand final.
Traralgon’s 30-point victory was built on the back of a barnstorming opening quarter.
Hayden Britten was the unlikely game-breaker, bagging three first-quarter goals – his third a classy snap following a one-handed contested mark – to lead Traralgon to a 32-point lead before Leongatha managed a score.
When key Parrot Zak Vernon limped from the ground a short time later, things were looking grim for the sentimental favourites.
They did, however, grab a much-needed goal on the stroke of quarter-time through Brenton Fitzgerald and Tas Clingan’s classy set shot ensured the second term started better than the first.
Dylan Loprese responded for the Maroons, but Vernon returned to the field and the Parrots started to settle into the contest.
Ten behinds were kicked for the term as both sides struggled for accuracy in front of goal, but late majors to Aaron Heppell and Ash Lynch had Leongatha within 13 points at the main change.
The majority of the second half was a tense and engrossing contest, with two high-calibre sides trading blows.
With forward Nick Nagel sidelined with injury, Leongatha was down to two rotations on the bench and Traralgon’s leaders ensured their side answered every challenge thrown at it.
A booming long-range snap from playing coach Mark Collison and a clutch set shot from retiring skipper Michael Geary maintained a 16-point margin for the Maroons at the final break.
While the game was still in the balance at three-quarter-time, a dour 10 minute-spell of stoppage-heavy football concentrated on Leongatha’s right half-forward flank favoured the Maroons, who laid the telling blow a short time later through veteran Josh Jennings.
Aaron Hillberg pulled one back for the Parrots, but Traralgon remained in control and, fittingly, Geary sealed the game with two stunning goals in the dying minutes.
Traralgon’s strength was at stoppages, where ruckman Ben Amberg provided his on-ballers with first use and the likes of Jennings, Geary and Collison able to spread with pace and precision to a mobile and multi-dimensional forward line.
The Maroons had plenty of winners on the day, with Britten (four goals), Jordan Bourke, Jackson Hall and brothers Tim and Matt Northe among the other stand out performers.
Heppell, Clingan and Fitzgerald were best for the off-colour Parrots.
Jennings was awarded the Stan Aitken Medal and Amberg AFL Victoria Country Medal as the best players on the ground.
The flag capped an incredible day Traralgon, which claimed four of the 10 premierships from six grand final appearances.
The Maroons defeated Moe 6.11 (47) to 5.9 (39) in a see-sawing under-16 final, before upsetting minor premier Bairnsdale 7.6 (48) to 3.7 (25) in the under-18 decider.
Maffra ensured the Maroons did not make it a clean sweep of football premierships, by claiming the reserves flag with an 11.9 (75) to 4.11 (35) win.
Traralgon rounded out its trophy cabinet by defeating Drouin 54-49 in the A-grade netball grand final, to secure a memorable senior football/A-grade netball double.
The Maroons’ B-grade side was not so fortunate, going down to a brilliant Leongatha 50-34, with the Parrots’ league medallist Kathy Reid named best-on-ground.
Bairnsdale won the C-grade flag, courtesy of a 48-23 win against Wonthaggi Power, led by a best-on-court performance from Tara Cowell.
Moe needed extra time to overcome Sale in an epic 17-and-under grand final, with the Lions finally coming out on top 45-42.
Maffra was too good for Sale in the 15-and-under decider, with Faith Biddle leading the Eagles to victory 52-16.
Sale held off Wonthaggi Power in a terrific 13-and-under netball grand final 37-31, with Magpie Clare Brown named best-on-court.
Last Modified on 29/09/2015 09:47