Foster secured one of the more courageous premiership victories in the history of the MGFNL competition on the weekend defeating the more favoured Fish Creek by eleven points: 9.14.68 to 12.7.79.
The Kangaroos may have been chasing some rare air on the weekend ,searching for their third premiership in succession.
The “threepeat" has only ever been achieved on three prior occasions in the history of the competition, by Hazelwood in 51, 52 and 53, Yinnar in 69, 70 and 71 and Newborough in 88,89 and 90., and for just a few minutes of the League’s premier event it looked as though they could have become the fourth.
The saying that you don't poke the Tiger was never more appropriate, this Foster team had been hit hard by a long and demanding season, some of their very best performers, looking helplessly from the sideline as their teammates battled courageously 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 the Gippsland Power in Melbourne to represent his home town of Foster from the first quarter onwards, a rumour that was quashed moments before the first bounce.
The game started as every Grand Final does, with intensity and purpose, physicality and enthusiasm, against the odds, the Tigers more composed as they snatched the first three goals of the day on their way to a first quarter lead of
Seventeen points.
Jarrad Walker, Fish Creek coach “We looked ok in the back half, but we needed to be more composed going into forward fifty, we needed to lower the eyes and really turn it up on them, I felt they played at their maximum level, we just needed to really spread hard from the back to set ourselves up better”
The Kangaroos finally found the goals through Jordan Shaw, for the first time nearly seven minutes into the second quarter, before that same player lashed out at his opposing defender following a missed opportunity for his second, resulting in his send off.
The reigning premiers were 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 half time lead of twenty six points.
Both teams opened up the ground allowing more opportunity in the third term but inaccuracy was costing Fish Creek.
It wasn’t until the Kangaroos managed two goals deeper into the third quarter that you sensed the comeback was on, and so it was, the pendulum in full swing by the three quarter time break.
Sam Davies, Foster coach “We panicked in the third, but we needed repeat stoppages so we can set up behind the ball, it was time for controlled chaos in the last twenty five minutes, we might have been out on our feet, but so were they.”
The Tiger team delivered what coach Davies wanted, plenty of stoppage, and finally a goal ten minutes into the last quarter that gave them back the lead.
“What a day - we set ourselves really well hunting and applying elite pressure in the first half and importantly took our chances in the first half. They came out firing in the third and played some great footy like we knew they could - credit to them for playing that way too. But 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,” said Davies.
The Kangaroos had their chance, chances even, inaccuracy part of the problem, Foster the other.
Jarrad Walker, Fish Creek’s coach said it was a “disappointing result for us but really proud of the effort all day. 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, and Josh Toner was identified by the umpires as the AFL Vic best on ground. Foster finally found the top of the mountain, and Fish Creek lost no admirers in their attempt to dethrone this tough, honest Tiger team. Rob Pobblestone
