Leongatha made it back to back senior premierships, with victory in yet another epic TRFM Gippsland League grand final battle against Maffra.
The two combatants were neck and neck all day and just as Maffra looked to have surged at the right time with the first two goals of the final term, Leongatha found another level and kicked the final three goals of the game to win 10.13 (73) to 10.4 (64).
League medallist Tom Marriott was quiet by his lofty standards, but his chase down tackle on Eagles midfielder Alex Carr and goal from the resulting free kick was the game's most decisive moment.
The Parrots added some icing to the cake when Josh Hopkins effected a turnover from Sam Pleming's kick-in and the ball fell to Chris Dunne who delivered the knockout blow with customary poise.
Cade Maskell was outstanding with five goals and was duly awarded the Stan Aitken Medal, while off-season recruit Col Sanbrook patrolled half-back to great effect and his efforts were also acknowledged with the AFL Victoria Country Medal.
On the netball courts, Moe won an incredible A Grade tussle with Traralgon, 52-50.
Traralgon started strongly, leading 17-10 with goal shooter Ramayer Gourley on song in place of her sister Taylin, who missed the game due to overseas work commitments.
Moe made a slight tweak at the quarter-time break, switching wing defence Charlize Bird with centre Samantha Waters, and the move paid off with a more fluent attack helping the Lions turn the seven-goal deficit into a one-goal lead at the main change.
The Maroons hit back in the third to lead by two goals at the final break before a see-sawing final term saw Moe ahead at the final whistle as the Lions claimed the first A Grade premiership in the club's history.
Moe goaler Bella Hodgson named best on court and finished the game with 34 goals.
Georgia Moody added 18 for the Lions.
Gourley tallied 35 of Traralgon's 50 goals, with the rest scored by Maddison Stockdale.
Earlier, Traralgon had gotten the better of Moe in the B Grade decider.
The Maroons led at every change but only managed to pull clear in the final term, which they won by five goals to secure the premiership 46-40.
Goaler Nicole Jennings was named best on court.
Maffra fought back from three goals down at half-time to win the C Grade flag.
Eagles defender Megan Raine was outstanding in the thrilling 39-38 victory against the Maroons.
Anna Gaw also played a key role, shooting 33 of the Eagles' 39 goals, while an inspired effort from Traralgon goal attack Bridget Kase to shoot 12 goals in the final quarter was almost enough to drag her side across the line.
A big third quarter proved decisive in Maffra's 43-35 win against Traralgon in the 17-and-under grand final.
A Grade regular Emma Allman showed the drive and class that has justified her early transition to senior netball, with another terrific performance in the mid court, as the Eagles broke clear with a 14-goal-to-seven third term.
Sale took out the 15-and-under flag.
Bairnsdale showed great spirit to win the final term 9-2, but the Magpies had done the hard work early and held on to win 33-21.
Fresh from her league best and fairest medal win, defender Olivia Barnett added a best on court medal and a premiership medal to her collection.
The Magpies also roared to the 13-and-under premiership, with a 46-10 win against Leongatha.
Mid courter Sienna Wynd led from the front with a best on court performance, with goal shooter Lucy Best also in great form with 29 goals.
Leongatha put the pain of three consecutive grand final defeats behind it and secured an historic double by taking home the reserves premiership.
The Parrots upset previously undefeated Maffra by recording a hard-fought 7.7 (49) to 5.11 (41) win.
Leongatha dynamo Harrison McGannon was named best on ground, with Michael Olden, Louis Riseley, Tully Bernaldo, Nathan Trotto and Joel Norton also prominent for the Parrots.
Maffra was well-served by Jesse Ross, Luke Shelton and Jim Reeves.
Traralgon claimed an emotional win in the thirds decider.
It was a tight contest to quarter-time, but the Maroons proved far too good for the remainder of the game, keeping Bairnsdale scoreless in the second and third terms and running out comprehensive winners, 11.11 (77) to the Redlegs' 2.4 (16).
Harvey Neocleous was awarded the AFL Victoria Country Medal as best on ground, with league medallist Ewan Williams, Nicholas Lowden, Cohen Ruyters, captain Luke Johnson and Lucas Tripodi among the other standouts.
Post-game, Johnson and Maroons coach and Grant Little both paid tribute to the beloved clubman and brother of teammate Jack Strong who lost his life three weeks earlier.
Angus McKenzie, Blake Fulton and Joshua Whykes fought hard for the Redlegs.
It was better news for Bairnsdale in the fourths grand final, with the Redlegs seeing off Sale by 27 points.
Redlegs skipper Tyran Rees starred with four goals and was deservedly named best on ground in the 9.15 (69) to 6.6 (42) win.
Toby Jerkins, Randall Stewart, Lewis Hoffman, Flynn Thompson and Joshua Carroll were among the other notable contributors for Bairnsdale, while Blake Safstrom, Cooper Whitehill and Harrison Swarski impressed for the Magpies.
Last Modified on 24/09/2018 17:23