Congratulations to Neerim Neerim South who won the 2022 Parklea Senior EDFNL grand final this afternoon at Dowton Park Yarragon. The Cats prevailed by one point over Buln Buln. Suffice to say it was a thrilling contest. Intermittent rain fell throughout the game and the match was played in front of biggest crowd since the league was a 15 team competition. Buln Buln led at every change and by 13 points at three quarter time before Neerim finished the better with 3.4 to 1.2 in the last quarter. With the scores tied at 56 points apiece a kick on goal by Cat midfielder Nathan Bayne secured a behind inside the final five minutes of the match and it was enough along with plenty of desperate defence to hold on by solitary point.
Experienced Cat Chris Urie rose to the occasion and played a pivotal midfield role in the second half to win the AFL Vic BOG medal. He was well supported by Kody Wilson, who was outstanding in the second half and defender Matt Edwards, who moved into the ruck in the last quarter and kicked a vital goal – and the goal of the match – with a boomerang from hard up on the boundary line in the last quarter. Luke Kinder also kicked two crucial last quarter majors.
It was Neerim Neerim South and this season’s minor premier’s first flag since it went back to back in 1998/99. Commiserations to Buln Buln who were desperately unlucky. Lyrebird coach Bob McCallum led by example and dominated the ruck contests, Reece Campbell was lively around the big sticks with three goals and two in the first term and Cam McPhan prominent with two first half goals. Captain Trent Baker was ever present in the midfield and Tom Axford solid in defence.
In the reserves Buln Buln were also unlucky falling four point short of Ellinbank. Eagle defender Andrew Quirk was awarded the EDFL BOG medal. In the U18s Neerim South held the premiership cup aloft after a resounding 44 point win over Longwarry with Cat captain Ayden Ramm, who also kicked three goals the winner of the AFL Vic BOG medal. Longwarry however did enjoy success in the U16s rolling a plucky Yarragon by 25 points with Cooper Brown awarded the EDFL BOG medal.
Last Modified on 17/09/2022 23:09
