Eagles in barnstorming victory

Cam Carmody, pictured last year for the Doveton Eagles, was best afield in the grand final win. 170574

By Tyler Lewis

AROUND THE GROUNDS

SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

DIVISION 2 – GRAND FINAL

For the Doveton Eagles, Saturday afternoon was almost too good to be true.

Not only did the Eagles win the premiership from fourth on the ladder in the Southern Football League’s Division 2, facing a cut throat final each week – they have jumped from third division to the first in two seasons, with two premierships in three years.

A grand final fast start is always crucial and the Eagles jumped Springvale Districts from the opening bounce to continue the September dream – leading by four goals at the first interval and, more importantly, keeping the Demons without a major.

The Demons got within three kicks before the main break, but neither side could take their chances in the premiership term.

A final huddle rev up from Eagles coach Clint Wilson was all they needed to storm home with an emphatic victory.

With eight majors to the final break, the Eagles slammed on 8.2 in the final term to run out clear winners, 16.14 (110) to 5.13 (43).

Adam Read booted three but it was an overall team performance from the Eagles with 12 individual goal kickers for the day.

Cam Carmody was named best afield in an outstanding display for the Eagles as they ran riot over the Demons in the end.

Ex-Melbourne forward Russell Robertson finished his career with a flag in the Eagles’ colours – officially hanging up his high flying boots at the age of 40 after a stellar career, both locally and in the AFL.

Ryan ‘Spanna’ Hendy – one of the most popular football figures anywhere in the south east – was another to retire on the highest of highs. He started his senior career with the Doves in 1999 as a 16-year-old, and added over 350 games to that tally before retiring as a Doveton Eagles premiership hero.

The town of Doveton could also add another piece of silverware when the club sharing the suburb – the Doveton Doves – takes on Pakenham in the Outer East Division 1 grand final on Sunday.

EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

PREMIER DIVISION – PRELIMINARY FINAL

In the Eastern Football League’s Premier division, ex-Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast senior coach Rodney Eade was unable to guide Balwyn into the big dance when his side went down to Blackburn, 16.13 (109) to 10.14 (74).

Balwyn and Blackburn faced off in the qualifying final only two weeks ago where Eade’s side came away comfortable five goal winners, but remarkably the Panthers turned it around following a win against reigning grand finalist South Croydon in a do-or-die semi-final.

The Panthers will now face the highly-touted Vermont side in the grand final. The reigning premier isn’t shy of the big stage and will look to add another premiership to the cabinet.

GIPPSLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE

PRELIMINARY FINAL

Leongatha stormed into the grand final with a powerful 6.12 (48) to 3.8 (26) win over Moe.

The Parrots led at every change of the match after keeping the Lions goalless in the opening term.

Wayward kicking almost cost the Parrots a ticket to the big dance but dominant performances by Chris Verboon and Colin Sanbrook ensured the Leongatha faithful an opportunity at a history making three-peat and its fifth grand final in as many seasons.

The Parrots will take on Maffra in Saturday’s grand final at Traralgon Recreation Reserve.

MORNINGTON PENINSULA NEPEAN

DIVISION ONE – GRAND FINAL

Dromana went back-to-back, but not quite in the way most expected them to on Sunday.

The Tigers – who were promoted to the MPNFL’s top flight after winning the Division Two grand final in 2018 – stunned Sorrento in Sunday’s grand final at Frankston Park, holding on late to claim a famous victory, 8.4 (52) to 6.9 (45).

The monster crowd were treated to yet another classic, with yet another underdog side trumping the Sharks on the biggest stage of them all, despite coming into the clash as outsiders.

With the clash completely even for basically the first half, the Tigers held a one-point lead at both the quarter time and half time breaks, with either side unable to get a buffer on the other in perfect conditions.

But it was the Tigers – who are one of the great stories of local football anywhere in 2019 – who rose to the occasion in the third term, kicking three unanswered goals to take the game by the scruff of the neck and surge to a three-goal lead.

The Sharks came hard late as they were always expected to do, but the Tigers, with the crowd well and truly behind them, held on to claim one of the most impressive premierships in recent memory.

On a day where stars shone on every line, Billy Geurts was best afield for the Tigers. While Ben Holmes (three goals) and Sam Fowler (two) were a nuisance all day for the Sorrento defenders.