1989 1st XV111 Premiership Team
|
Backs
|
Ricky Scott
(45)
|
Peter Farrant
(26)
|
Denis Brooks
(21)
|
|
Half Backs
|
Mick Power (Coach)
(2)
|
Greg Hixon
(23)
|
Chris Jorgensen
(58)
|
|
Centres
|
Gary Stevens
(12)
|
Mick Cleeland
(5)
|
Mark Bell
(1)
|
|
Half Forwards
|
Bevan Cleeland
(11)
|
Craig Brown
(49)
|
Graeme Walker
(29)
|
|
Forwards
|
Darren Burke
(24)
|
Danny Irwin
(36)
|
Terry Bell
(6)
|
|
Rucks
|
Anthony Wilson
(25)
|
Max Hicks
(22)
|
|
|
Rover
|
Darren Scott (Captain)
(3)
|
|
|
|
Interchange
|
Adam Walpole
(4)
|
Shane Charles
(28)
|
|
Scores
Waaia : 2.5, 3.3, 4.4, 6.2, - 15.14 (104)
Blighty: 1.5, 2.2, 3.0, 4.5, - 10.12 (72)
Waaia Goals: Danny Irwin 8, Bevan Cleeland 2, Mick Power 1, Darren Scott 1,
Adam Walpole 1,
Waaia Best Players: Gary Stevens, Mick Power, Danny Irwin, Peter Farrant,
Mick Cleeland, Bevan Cleeland, Greg Hixon
VCFL Best Player in the Grand Final: Mick Power
* From the Herald – Sun 25/9/89, by Carolyn Ford *
This bunch of Bombers is no pussycats
Blighty versus Waaia ~ the other grandfinal ~ was played on Saturday at Katunga, a town with a general store, a post office, a pub and a population of about 150.
Here, 30 km or so north of Shepparton, football is everything.
The grand final in the Picola Football League is the biggest day of the year for the people of this dairy farming region. They have come from miles around to watch the match and when they talk about the other grand final you they mean that match between Geelong and Hawthorn.
`The whole place revolves around football, it is a way of life here, there`s nothing else really. It`s a great thing to keep the community together,` said Len Savage, president of Blighty.
Saturday`s match was not just any grand final. Blighty had not taken a flag for 14 years and Waaia had only won two premierships since 1895, the last in 1974.
At 2pm the NSW team Blighty ~ the Red ~Eyes ~ all in red emerged from the change rooms and run on to the field before a crowd of about 4000, followed by the Victorian team, Waaia ~ or the Bombers ~ in red and black. Blighty kicks the first goal five minutes into the game.
At quarter time both sides are given a severe dressing down. Waaia`s coach, Mick power, is enraged, despite having the advantage of 2.5 over Blighty’s 1.1.
` We don’t want points` he spits out, `we want goals. What`s wrong with you, you`re in a bloody grand final `.
Supporter, three-deep around the Waaia warriors, nod in agreement. The players, still breathing hard, their faces shiny with sweat, stand looking murderous. God help Blighty.
Power`s tongue lashing works in further firing the players up. The second quarter is Waaia`s with 3.3 over Blighty`s 2.2 as is the third with 4.4 ahead of Blighty`s 3 goals.
At three quarter time the score is 10.2 Waaia, 6.3 Blighty. Supporters run on to the field to hear the coaches final, threatening pep talk, urging their boys to win, dating them not to.
The siren heralding the start of the final quarter sounds. The pressure, on and off the field, is almost tangible. Somkers light up again, fresh cans of beer from the 100 ~ slab supply are opened, all eyes are on the ball.
Play in the final quarter is desperate, producing some great football and more goals than any other quarter. Again Waaia is in the lead with 6.2 ahead of Blighty`s 4.5.
The final siren sounds at 5pm and the crowd roars. Waaia has won with 15.14 ahead of Blighty`s 10.12. Supporters waving their red and black banners and streamers, spill on to the ground and head for the players. Mick Power, who is later announced man of the match, is euphoric. Atop the beefy shoulders of two followers, he raises one fist in the air in a victory salute.
`It`s home grown players, they give more, they wanted to win. We set a target and every player stuck to his play…. They are winner,` Power said.
Waaia club president, Mr Geoff Billingham, admitted he was `quietly confident` all along.
But who, you couldn`t help wondering, is going to milk the cows come Sunday morning.
