Maffra avenged two years of grand final heartbreak by defeating perennial recent rival Leongatha in another epic TRFM Gippsland League senior football decider at Traralgon Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The Eagles led by a game-high 21 points late in the third term before the Parrots came storming back with the next four goals of the game – including the first three of the final term – to snatch the lead and set up another thrilling finale.
Three more lead changes ensued in the final 15 minutes, with back-to-back Maffra goals to Sam Pleming and Mitch Bennett eventually securing a dramatic eight-point win, 10.10 (70) to 9.8 (62).
It was the Eagles’ second senior premiership in four years and their ninth flag from 13 senior grand final appearances since 2002.
Maffra and Leongatha have contested the past four senior deciders for two premierships each and with an average winning margin of less than 10 points.
Bennett finished the game with five goals and received his second Stan Aitken Medal as best on ground as voted by the TRFM commentary team, while teammate John Butcher was awarded the AFL Victoria Country Medal as best on ground according to the umpires.
The Eagles secured an historic double with victory in the reserves grand final by defeating Traralgon.
Maffra forward Jim Reeves was named best on ground in the 9.12 (66) to 5.5 (35) win.
On the netball court, Morwell won its first A Grade flag since 2014, courtesy of a 46-41 win against Traralgon.
Morwell defender and league MVP Courtney Garth was named best on court.
It was the Maroons’ second defeat in a row and third from five straight grand final appearances.
Moe claimed its second B Grade flag in three years, with victory over Traralgon in a third straight decider between the clubs.
Lions mid courter Milly Murphy was best on court in the 44-37 win.
Maffra won successive C Grade premierships, with a 33-29 defeat of Warragul, with Gulls captain named best on court in a losing side.
Morwell secured its first junior netball flag in more than 15 years, with a thrilling 33-30 win in the 17-and-under grand final.
Tigers mid courter Rahni Styles was best on court.
Sale completed a perfect season in the 15-and-under division, with Magpies captain and best on court Indigo Waugh leading her team to a 33-30 victory against Bairnsdale, while Traragon upset the Magpies to win the 13-and-under grand final 41-40 with Maroons goaler Asha Nightingale named best on court.
Seven goals from Jack Hume led Leongatha to a stunning victory in the under-18 football grand final.
The Parrots finished the home and away season in fifth place and only qualified for the finals on percentage, but won their last eight games of the campaign to snare the flag courtesy of a 13.16 (94) to 7.8 (50) win against Maffra, with Hume claiming the AFL Victoria Country Medal for his match-winning contribution.
Earlier, Traralgon won its first under-16 premiership since 2015, with a 10.7 (67) to 4.9 (33) win against preliminary final conqueror Warragul.
Maroons midfielder Hugh Dunbar was named best on ground.
The day attracted a crowd of more 4,400 people.
2019 TRFM Gippsland League Grand Final Day results:
Seniors 2019
MAFFRA v. LEONGATHA
Maffra 0.6, 3.7, 7.9, 10.10 (70)
Leongatha 0.0, 3.4, 5.6, 9.8 (62)
GOALS,
Maffra: M. Bennett 5, S. Pleming 2, A. Carr 1, J. Butcher 1, D. Butcher 1
Leongatha: C. Olden 2, T. Marriott 2, C. Dunne 1, J. Hopkins 1, J. Harry 1, M. Borschman 1, C. Stone 1
BEST,
Maffra: J. Butcher, M. Bennett, S. Pleming, J. Huts, A. Carr, M. Coleman
Leongatha: T. Marriott, C. Sanbrook, C. Olden, B. Willis, C. Stone, J. Hopkins
AFL Victoria Country Medal: John Butcher (Maffra) [umpires]
Stan Aitken Medal: Mitchell Bennett (Maffra) [TRFM commentary team]
Reserves 2019
MAFFRA v. TRARALGON
Maffra 3.2, 5.7, 6.9, 9.12 (66)
Traralgon 2.1, 3.2, 4.4, 5.5 (35)
GOALS,
Maffra: C. Nettleton 2, J. Egan 2, H. Holmes 2, J. Whelan 1, J. Reeves 1, B. Rimington 1
Traralgon: J. Van Iwaarden 2, L. Tripodi 1, J. Twite 1, J. Bishop 1
BEST,
Maffra: J. Ross, C. Nettleton, J. Reeves, J. Davis, H. Holmes, S. Robbins
Traralgon: J. Garrett, T. McMahon, L. McDonald, J. Van Iwaarden, W. Gaudion, Z. Gray
Best on ground: Jim Reeves (Maffra)
Thirds 2019
MAFFRA v. LEONGATHA
Leongatha 4.3, 6.7, 10.12, 13.16 (94)
Maffra 2.1, 4.5, 5.7, 7.8 (50)
GOALS,
Leongatha: J. Hume 7, L. O'Neill 2, J. Lamers 2, A. Turton 1, M. McGannon 1
Maffra: M. Gravener 2, T. Thatcher 1, C. Cook 1, S. Atkinson 1, T. Bradshaw 1, H. Gravener 1
BEST,
Leongatha: J. Hume, T. Nash, N. Hanily, M. Bentvelzen , D. Hume, L. O'Neill
Maffra: M. Harrigan, Z. Perkins, S. East, T. Bradshaw, M. Van Der Zwart, M. Gravener
AFL Victoria Country Medal: Jack Hume (Leongatha)
Fourths 2019
WARRAGUL v. TRARALGON
Traralgon 3.1, 7.1, 9.5, 10.7 (67)
Warragul 0.1, 0.2, 2.5, 4.9 (33)
GOALS,
Traralgon: T. Said 2, R. Adams 2, H. Dunbar 2, T. Hamilton 1, R. McDonald 1, K. Ruyters 1, F. Kennedy 1
Warragul: P. Carpenter 1, L. Serong 1, T. Carpenter 1, W. Luttrell 1
BEST,
Traralgon: H. Dunbar, H. Howe, B. Rickard, T. Hamilton, R. McDonald, F. Kennedy
Warragul: R. Galvin, C. Alger, T. Stern, V. Caia, T. Carpenter, B. Notman
Best on ground: Hugh Dunbar (Traralgon)
A Grade:
Morwell 46 def. Traralgon 41
Best on court: Courtney Garth (Morwell)
B Grade:
Moe 44 def. Traralgon 37
Best on court: Milly Murphy (Moe
C Grade:
Maffra 33 def. Warragul 29
Best on court: Grace Cant (Warragul)
17&Under:
Morwell 33 def. Sale 30
Best on court: Rahni Styles (Morwell)
15&Under:
Sale 33 def. Bairnsdale 30
Best on court: Indigo Waugh (Sale)
13&Under:
Traragon 41 def. Sale 40
Best on court: Asha Nightingale (Traralgon)
Last Modified on 23/09/2019 12:36
