Deer Park ended the unbeaten run of Bendigo Thunder on Grand Final day, coming from fourth to secure a premiership that will live long in the memory of the Lions’ faithful.
The Lions were only able to win seven of their 15 home-and-away games, but strung three wins together at the right end of the season, stunning the unbeaten Thunder in the process to win 6.7 (43) to 4.6 (30) as Michael Thompson reports.
Deer Park was able to get off to a flyer, with Krissy Tran converting their early dominance with a soccered goal and just a minute later Emily Paterno benefited from a quick centre clearance and good ball movement to give the Lions an early 11-point buffer, leaving the Thunder shell shocked.
However, Bendigo started to ease back in to the game, getting a few inside-50s of their own to eventually see Isabella Ayre give Thunder their first goal.
Deer Park replied quickly with another centre clearance that allowed Chloe Portelli to benefit, kicking a quick goal to restore the Lions’ 14-point cushion at quarter time.
Bendigo needed to respond to get back into the game and were able to kick the first goal of the second quarter, with vice-captain Jessica Kennedy winning a free kick and converting to reduce the margin back to eight points.
However, as was the case in the opening quarter, Deer Park proved to be masters of the quick reply. Yet again, they won a centre clearance straight from the bounce and again, were able to convert a goal within seconds. Amy Catterall took a strong contested mark, and was able to kick a goal – the margin continuing to yo-yo between eight and 14 points.
Given the long period of dominance that they enjoyed, it seemed inevitable that the Thunder would respond and eventually, they were able to, with Alyx Glanville kicking a goal to reduce the margin back down to eight points. It meant that the game was very evenly poised going in to half-time.
The third quarter proved to be a close affair, as Bendigo again got the start they needed, with Ayre kicking her second from a strong contested mark to reduce the margin to just two points.
Six minutes later Portelli was able to respond late for Deer Park from a great snap under pressure to extend the lead back out to eight points with one quarter to go.
The last quarter was fierce with the premiership on the line. Bendigo threw everything at the Lions in order to preserve their unbeaten record, yet Deer Park was able to repel every attacking foray.
With just two minutes to go, Deer Park’s moment came. Firstly, Krissy Tran was able to win a crucial one-on-three contest to ensure the ball stayed in the Lions’ forward 50, before Catterall pinned her Bendigo opponent for holding the ball. Catterall nailed the set shot, and it ensured that Deer Park completed their fairytale premiership dream.
Brooke McKinley was sensational for Deer Park, and was awarded the best on ground medal for her efforts in ensuring the Lions won the flag. Belinda Hateley was industrious throughout the afternoon, and Shannon McFerran and Samantha Radlof provided great support.
For the Thunder, Sarah Last was a rock in defence, allowing little to go Deer Park’s way whenever the ball was in her vicinity, while Reni Hicks and Leah French were among the Thunder’s better performers for the day.
Last Modified on 20/09/2016 01:20