FOOTBALL

MID GIPPSLAND

By ROP POPPLESTONE

 

FOSTER secured one of the more courageous premiership victories in the history of the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League at the weekend, defeating the more favoured Fish Creek by 11 points, 12.7 (79) to 9.14 (68).

The Kangaroos may have been chasing some rare air, searching for its third Mid Gippsland premiership in succession.

The threepeat has only ever been achieved on three occasions in the history of the competition, (Hazelwood 1951-53, Yinnar 1969-71, and Newborough 1988-90), and for a few minutes of the latest Grand Final, it looked as though a fourth was to be added.

The saying that you don’t poke the Tiger was never more appropriate however.

This Foster team had been hit hard by a long and demanding season, some of its very best performers, looking helplessly from the sideline as their teammates battled to stop one of the most respected football teams in regional Australia.

Speculation was rife pre-game that talented teenager Willem Duursma, might be rushed from his duties with Gippsland Power in Melbourne to represent his home town from the first quarter onwards.

Foster however didn’t play Duursma, and the game started as every Grand Final does, with intensity and purpose, physicality and enthusiasm.

Against the odds, the Tigers were composed as they snatched the first three goals of the day on the way to a quarter time lead of 17 points.

The Kangaroos finally found goals through Jordan Shaw, for the first time nearly seven minutes into the second term, before that same player lashed out at his opposing defender following a missed opportunity for his second, resulting in his send off.

The reigning premier was now under pressure on the scoreboard and on the field.

The frustration teetered on panic, allowing Foster’s Jake Best to get his second goal of the game as the Tigers took further advantage and a halftime lead of 26 points.

Both teams opened up the ground, allowing more opportunity in the third quarter, but inaccuracy was costly for Fish Creek.

It wasn’t until the Kangaroos managed two goals deep in the term that you sensed the comeback was on, and so it was, the pendulum in full swing by the three quarter time break, with Fish Creek ahead by two points, having banged on seven goals.

The Tiger team however delivered what coach Sam Davies wanted: plenty of stoppages, and finally a goal 10 minutes in that gave them back the lead.

From there, Foster fended off all other threats, and Davies happily accepting the premiership cup.

“What a day. We set ourselves really well hunting and applying elite pressure in the first half and importantly took our chances,” he said.

“They (Fish Creek) came out firing in the third and played some great footy like we knew they could. Credit to them for playing that way too. We panicked, but we needed repeat stoppages so we could set up behind the ball. It was time for controlled chaos in the last 25 minutes; we might have been out on our feet, but so were they.

“Boy oh boy did we show something in that last quarter. Couldn’t be prouder of the group and the achievement.

“Big moments, we got it done. Only one coach backed us in today from across the league and he has the medal around his neck.”

The Kangaroos had their chance, chances even, but inaccuracy played a part.

Kangaroos coach, Jarrod Walker was disappointed but not totally despondent.

“A disappointing result for us but really proud of the effort all day,” he said.

“Got jumped at the start and were always playing catch up. The third quarter comeback was really special to be a part of and I thought that momentum would get us through.

“We thought we would have the legs to hang on in the last quarter but to Foster’s credit they found another gear.

“A great Grand Final and a good standard of footy, beaten by the better team on the day and better team all season. Congratulations to Sam and Foster, deserving winners.”

League best-and-fairest Angus Norton was awarded the Bill McConville Medal for best-on-ground, while Josh Toner identified by the umpires as the AFL Victoria best-on-ground.

Foster finding the top of the mountain, Fish Creek losing no admirers in its attempt to dethrone this tough, honest Tiger team.