By: Lachlan SHIRLEY

ON SUNDAY, the Geelong Region Men’s Divisions 1, 2, 3 and Masters’ semi-final winners battled it out for their respective leagues’ Grand Finals at Myers Reserve to bring to an end a successful 2018 local football league season.

PHOTO: At the post-match award presentations for the Men’s Masters’ Grand Final, players from both Corio (green strips) and Barwon Heads posed for a group photo, exemplifying the good sportsmanship and friendly spirit that the Men’s Masters competition has become so synonymous with (Photo: Tonci Prusac)

The Men’s Division 1 Grand Final saw Surfside Waves overcome Surf Coast 2-1 in a closely fought contest, FC Leopold took out the Division 2 Final defeating Bell Park 4-2, Corio Bay did the same in the Division 3 Final against Bellarine Sharks triumphing 2-1 while Corio easily accounted for Barwon Heads 5-0 in the Men’s Masters’ Grand Final.

In the showpiece Men’s Division 1 Final, Surf Coast drew first blood early when Steve Russell headed home from a set piece in the 6^th minute.

It took until deep into first half stoppage time for Surfside to equalise when Adrian Bond found the net to make the scores 1-1 at the break.

Surfside scored what turned out to be the match winner in the 70^th minute when an excellent through ball to Andrew Stevenson saw his shot on goal hit the post and the ball just went in with the assistance of a Surf Coast defender.

Surf Coast didn’t give up right to the very end, but the game ended with Surfside earning the title of the latest Men’s Division 1 Grand Final champions.

In the Men’s Division 2 Grand Final, FC Leopold not only qualified for its first ever Grand Final but managed to win it for the first time in the club’s short history after defeating Bell Park 4-2.

It was yet another tough game for both teams but in the end Leopold was able to seal the win over one of the oldest clubs in the region, which saw the club secure its first ever grand final victory after just two years in existence!

It was a fairy tale come true for the Greens, who have now been promoted back to Division 1 and will be joined by fellow Grand Finalists Bell Park who were minor premiers for the Division 2 competition after going through the regular season undefeated.

Corio Bay Cobras took out the Men’s Division 3 Grand Final over Bellarine Sharks after the Cobras defeated the Sharks 2-1 after extra time in an intense and physical clash.

An early red card saw the Cobras down to ten men, but that didn’t dampen their hopes as both teams fought hard right up until the final whistle.

It took until the second half for the first goal of the game to come, as Corio Bay were first on the scoresheet before the Sharks equalized not long afterwards. Regular time finished all square at 1-1, thus sending the game into extra-time.

In the first half of stoppage time, Corio Bay found the net after a low cross was turned in giving the Cobras the lead.

Both teams gave everything they had for the remainder of the game, but the game ended with Corio winning 2-1, making them the 2018 Men’s Division 3 champions.

In the Men’s Masters’ matchup between Corio and Barwon Heads, Corio showed its class after they defeated Barwon Heads 5-0.

It was a rather one-sided affair, but the game was played in extremely good spirits and helped for a positive ending to the Master’s competition for 2018.

At the post-match award presentations, players from both teams posed for a group photo, exemplifying the good sportsmanship and friendly spirit that the Men’s Masters competition has become so synonymous with.

Lachlan Shirley is a young SEDA student, currently doing work experience with FFV Geelong. He will be compiling regular weekly reports on the Geelong Region Men’s and Women’s Division 1 competitions.