Grand Final Reviews
Under 11’s Review
Going into the under 11’s fixture the Bermagui Breakers went into the contest having gone the 2016 season undefeated in a convincing manner. It looked like that vein of form would continue for the Breakers over the Broulee/Moruya Giants racing out to a 25 point lead at the end of the first quarter thanks to two goals from Raymond Campbell and singles to Campbell Moresi and Travis Creek. The Giants needed to lift after quarter time and that they did, showing the form that had got them to the final week of the season with the Giants holding the Breakers scoreless in the second and third terms whilst adding two goals themselves thanks to Tye Passlow and a running bomb from star man Tasman Simons.
Heading into the final quarter the game was in the balance with the Giants putting the Breakers under immense pressure disrupting what was often a dynamic forward line throughout the year. With Broulee/Moruya continuing to press in fourth the Giants were unable to convert on the scoreboard with the Breakers defence holding strong. As coach Simon Wheatley sent numbers forward late in the quarter it allowed Bermagui to rebound out of defence and ice the game through emerging talents Clancy Ballard with one and Giacomo Cementon with two.
After going through the season undefeated the breakers were deserving winners of the under 11 premiership in 2016 with the side made to work against an incredibly hard working Giants side who wouldn’t throw in the towel.
Under 13’s Review
With the match billed as one of the matches of the day a fast start for either the Lions or the Breakers could have been the difference between the two. It was Bermagui who got off to the faster start with goals to Campbell Moresi and Scott Parsons leading Bermagui out to a two goal lead. With the two sides playing in a number of close see sawing contests throughout the year a two goal lead was never comfortable for the Breakers with both clubs piling on the pressure in the second with neither side able to kick a major.
Throughout the first half Jonathan Harkins-McMahon was instrumental down back for the Breakers cutting off a number of forward entries just like he had in previous finals against Narooma and a best on ground performance against Merimbula.
The Lions were lacking some forward run with Jack Westoll ruled out due to illness and it wasn’t until the third quarter that Narooma started to impact the scoreboard with two majors to Matthew Parker. Bermagui were able to keep pace with the Lions in the third with two goals from Campbell Moresi leaving the fourth quarter wide open.
In an even fourth quarter the Breakers were able to reverse the result of their major semi-final defeating the Lions to run out 15 point winners claiming their second premiership of the day.
Under 16’s Review
The local rivalry of the day didn’t disappoint when it came to Merimbula and Pambula squaring off in the 16’s.
It was evident from the first bounce that the Diggers had come to play with the orders clear from coach Danny Adams to put the Pambula midfielders under as much pressure as possible. And the game plan was a success with the Diggers racing out to a three goal quarter time lead thanks to goals from Doug Stubbs, Lawrence Davis and Samson Ryan whilst the Panther’s continually turned the ball over going forward in the first half leading to a frustrated Panthers outfit.
During the second stanza the Diggers continued their dominance over the Panthers holding a comfortable five goal lead at the major break with the Panthers determined to get themselves back into the game and give themselves a shot at the premiership.
The Panthers were able to lift a gear in the third and fourth quarter booting two goals in each quarter and with the game tightening up late in the fourth, youngster Charlie Buckingham was able to ease the nerves of the Diggers staff with the clinching goal and the better performance on the day. With close games throughout the year between the two sides the Diggers won when it mattered most by 14 points.
Women’s Grade Review
With Tathra/Bega going into the final undefeated and full of confidence the script was written for the club to be the inaugural women’s league champions although the Eden Whalers were out to spoil the party having tested Tathra/Bega throughout the 2016 season.
With a goal early in the first quarter to Cymmon Parker it appeared to be going according to the script before the Whalers shut the game down defensively and kick started their offence in the second quarter. The Whalers put on an attacking display in the second quarter as Carra Sheldon and Melissa Mitchell found Stacey Duivestyne and Kamilla Grubesic up forward all kicking majors for the Whalers as Tathra/Bega couldn’t find a response.
The premiership quarter saw both sides trade a goal each which saw Tathra/Bega needing to do it all in the fourth. In what was an intense fourth quarter as both sides had their opportunities although it was only in the final five minutes that the game started to heat up. Two goals to Hannah Centra in the final term with one coming in the final two minutes of the game tied the game with the game destined to head to extra time. With the game on the line and the seconds ticking away Chelsie Cassie stepped up with thirty seconds remaining to snatch the premiership and record a remarkable win with a gem of a goal.
In its first year, we will be unlikely to see a women’s grand final which produces such drama, high skill and such a remarkable finish. It was a game for the ages.
Development Grade Review
The Panthers put in a good display in the final quarter of their major semi against Tathra/Bega and continued that good form in the first quarter of the grand final booting two majors to none. With inclusions Ian Smith and Jack Salt having an impact in the game the Panthers went into the main break two goals to the better after trading goals in the second.
The third saw Tathra/Bega make inroads into Pambula’s lead thanks to goals from Dennis Paratene and Gordon Wiegold. Shannon Shepherdson was starting to get on top of the Panthers in the third although it appeared that the Panthers still had the edge in the overall play as they led by a goal.
With Pambula holding the lead midway through the fourth it seemed that the side would reverse their fortunes from 12 months earlier although two quick goals from veteran John Harney saw Tathra/Bega hit the front and add a goal for insurance late in the game to seal a fourth quarter come back and claim the development flag for 2016 by 13 points in what was a highly entertaining match.
Senior Grade Review
The showpiece game of the day saw Tathra/Bega take on the Merimbula Diggers in what was set to be an exciting contest and the first quarter didn’t disappoint with a tough contested brand of football played by both sides. At the conclusion of the first Merimbula took a seven point lead in a low scoring contest which saw three first quarter goals.
Whatever Tathra/Bega coach Brad McBain said at quarter time seemed to kick his side into top gear as Tathra/Bega’s midfielders in Troy O’Loghlin, Kel Evans and Thomas Lipsham found their key man up forward in Adam Blacka kicking three of Tathra/Bega’s six second term goals. Not only did Tathra/Bega’s attack start to click but their defence led by two time league medal winner David Little took control to hold the Diggers goalless putting the club in a great position heading into the second half.
During the premiership quarter, Tathra/Bega extended their lead to forty four points with the help of their continued stellar defence and two goals from an unlikely source in Scott Hay.
With the two sides going goal for goal in the fourth quarter the premiership was won halfway through the final term as Tathra/Bega added a couple of late goals to put an exclamation point on the win. With two goals in the final quarter, Kel Evans added to his best on ground trophies in 2016 as Tathra/Bega claimed a convincing 63 point win to conclude the 2016 season.
Last Modified on 02/09/2016 17:25