08 GRAND FINAL REPORT
By Peter Booth
SENIORS FINAL SCORE
BALWYN 16-15 111 def VERMONT 7-18-60
*Please read editor’s comments at conclusion of this report.
A day of early rain then sunshine at Bayswater but by seniors match time it was fine with a medium cross breeze slightly favouring the southern goal. Earlier Knox won the colts and East Burwood won the reserves flags. In came Mullett and Johnson for the injured Frankish and unfortunately Mark Cullen was the one to miss out.
We quickly had 3 behinds on the board but these misses were to prove fatal. Talevski and Millhouse were prominent early but struggled after that. Balwyn kicked the first goal before Mullett snapped fron centre half forward. Then Davidson goaled via Rushton but we then kicked 5 behinds. It was clear the scoreboard reward was not there for the amount of play and shots we had. At ¼ time we led 2-10 to 1-3.
Balwyn kicked a goal within 20 seconds of the 2nd quarter. It took us 10 minutes to kick our first when Johnson goaled via Froud. It was typical finals footy with not many goals being scored. At this stage our back half was holding firm especially McCarthy, Davidson, Rushton and O’Grady. Balwyn goaled at the 16 minute mark then Greig put us 2 goals in front via Holmes. Balwyn kicked the next 2 goals and in between Bardon hit the post. At the 26 minute mark Balwyn goaled as they continued to crumb the packs close to goal. Greig goaled after the siren via Ross, Nummy and Froud. At half time scores were level. Vermont 5-12 to 6-6. Better players for the half were McCarthy, O’Grady, Johnson, Bardon, Froud and Hall. It was clear from the 20 minute mark of the quarter that Balwyn was starting to put their game together.
We began the third quarter as we began the first with 3 missed opportunities. Balwyn hit the front with the first goal of the term. 13 minutes in Greig kicked a wonderful angle goal via Holmes and Bardon. Balwyn quickly replied. We led by a point when great work by Nummy resulted in a Greig goal. Balwyn kicked the next 2 goals and when Murray marked in front on the siren and goaled all of a sudden their lead was out to 17 points. At ¾ time they led 11-8 to 7-15.
Clearly we were close enough if good enough but they kicked 5-7 to 3 behinds in the last quarter as we stopped to a walk. They looked like the side who had the week’s rest not us. We had a many players who were down on the day and others who drifted in and out of the game. Clearly the better side on the day won. Matt Greig finished the season with 122 goals and Pat Bowden 121. Grant McCarthy did a terrific job on Bowden for 3 quarters but a heavy knock and the sheer weight of numbers saw Bowden get away in the last term. Balwyn’s Brad Smith won the League Medal for best on the ground. Balwyn winners by 51 points. Better players for the half were Holmes, Davidson, Nummy, Johnson and Ross except for his disposal.
Goalkickers – Greig 4 and singles to Johnson, Mullett and Davidson.
Best Players – not in order as no one player dominated – McCarthy, Davidson, Nummy, Johnson and Bardon.
Possessions – Davidson 17, Bardon 16, Cassidy 16 and Johnson 12.
1% - McCarthy 11, O’Grady 9, Mendes 8 and 7 each to Rushton, Papillo and Cassidy.
Coach’s Comments – We all lose together – It’s not a good feeling – It went wrong – It’s (Balwyn) their time.
Editors comment – Given our injuries to quality players I thought we did a magnificent job to make the grand final. Despite our loss the Vermont spirit remains as strong as ever. It was that very spirit that got us so far. To the players, have a good rest and get your bodies in good shape for next year. There were 2 major plusses this season – Mendes and Johnson who have many seasons ahead of them. Also a big well done to Greig and Froud who kicked 192 goals between them. Home grown will always form the nucleus of this great club. To all the players and coaches thank you again for giving us so much pleasure. My thanks to team manager Wayne Brasher for his assistance and to John McCarthy, Toots and Jack Murphy for providing the statistics for my weekly re
Last Modified on 23/09/2008 10:54