Cora Lynn put in a strong claim it must rank as one of the best – if not the best EDFL team of all time after a hard fought 23 point victory over Bunyip at the Garfield recreation reserve today in front of one of the largest crowds in recent seasons. The match was also one of the highest standard grand finals in recent times. There were four lead changes in the last quarter before Cora Lynn posted the last four goals of the game including three in three minutes from the 16 minute mark to give the Cobras a stranglehold on the premiership cup.
The Cobras entered firm favourites but were made to fight all the way by a determined Bulldog outfit that was hell-bent to avenge their loss to Cora Lynn in last year’s grand final. In a tight first half that only yielded four goals apiece the reigning premiers led by a solitary point at the main break.
After the main break both teams were able to penetrate the tight defence of both sides more regularly and with five goals apiece Cora held a slender three point lead at three quarter time to set up a thrilling last quarter. In an exciting and frantic opening ten minutes of the final term Bulldog tall Brent Heus took a strong mark and put through his fifth major which was quickly followed by an opportunist goal by Jack Blakey to give the underdogs a nine point lead – and an upset brewed.
Cora Lynn replied with goals by enigmatic forward Ryan Gillis and speedster Jackson Dalton to arrest the lead before Shane Smith streamed into an open goal to put Bunyip in front. But like a champion team does the Cobras dug deep and with unanswered goals by Gippsland Power youngster Jai Rout, Nathan Langley, Anthony Giuliano and Ryan Gillis it responded and will depart the EDFL to join the new WGFNL in 2017 with lasting memories.
Key Cora Lynn defender Justin McCleary was superb with his attack on the ball and timely spoils and won the VCFL best on ground medal. Brady White, Rout and veterans Jack Allen and Ricky Clark the later in his 11th senior grand final (and now six wins) were prominent through the middle while Ryan Gillis (4 goals) and Jackson Dalton and Anthony Giuliano (both 3 goals) both posed problems for the Bulldogs with their pace. Congratulations to first year coach David Main who had the difficult challenge of getting his players and what looked an inferior list up again to produce the goods when it counted.
Despite the loss Bunyip was outstanding. In and around the midfield Jeb McLeod, Zac Vansittart, Dean Fitzgerald, Sam O’Sullivan and Michael Whyte found plenty of the ball while Brent Hues, Shane Smith and Matt Ross often troubled the Cora Lynn defence.
Last Modified on 17/09/2016 21:54
