Goodwood secures back-to-back division one amateur football flags
GOODWOOD showed the qualities of a champion team, rising to the occasion to secure back-to-back division one amateur football premierships on Saturday.
GOODWOOD showed the qualities of a champion team, rising to the occasion to secure back-to-back division one amateur football premierships on Saturday.
The Saints were tested by Payneham Norwood Union and were far from their best, but shone when it mattered to prevail 12.7 (79) to 7.9 (51) at Thebarton Oval.
Coach Trent Mills, in his 10th season at the helm, praised the character of his players to bounce back from four straight preliminary final defeats from 2010-13 to win consecutive flags.
“To have those four years where we had the disappointment of not getting to a grand final and then in the last couple of years to get back to where we are is a huge effort by the club,” Mills said.
“It’s been two amazing years and to go through them losing only five games is a big effort.
“Especially when we had seven guys different from last year’s grand final side.
“It’s a decent turnaround in players and really good to be able to bring those players through.”
Goodwood trailed for most of Saturday’s decider againt a plucky Falcons outfit.
PNU looked dangerous with its run through the midfield, while the Saints lacked their usual polish moving the footy.
But the Falcons failed to make the most of their chances and led by just a goal at the final change as Goodwood hung around.
“We started poorly and were a bit fumbly, and weren’t as intense as we can be,” Mills said.
“We got led to the footy, but they probably didn’t make the most of their opportunities.
“After half-time I thought we were a lot cleaner.”
Eric Kells, who was well held early, marked strongly and kicked the opening goal of the final term to put Goodwood in front.
From there, the Saints piled on 5.4 and kept PNU scoreless, as the Falcons tired after playing three sudden death finals in as many weeks.
Shane Tuck was influential in the middle, while Lou Whitelock, Simon Brooks, Jake Carrick-Smith and Anthony Skara impressed.
Proud Falcons
PAYNEHAM Norwood Union coach Garry McIntosh says the Falcons have built a foundation for success despite falling short of Goodwood in Saturday’s division one amateur football grand final.
PNU failed to become the sixth side in history to win the top-flight flag in the season immediately after promotion from division two.
But after the club was languishing in division four when McIntosh took over in 2005, the Norwood great says it is where it deserves to be.
“Even though we didn’t get the result we wanted, as a club we have put ourselves in a position that we want to be and that’s up in division one fighting with the big guns,” McIntosh said.
“There is no doubt we have made inroads.
“But now we have to do all the work again to give ourselves another chance – we can’t just think it’s going to happen.”
PNU went blow-for-blow in the clash of the reigning division one and two premiers, before the Saints kicked away in the final term to secure the flag.
“They played the big moments really well, but we’re really proud of the boys and what they have been able to achieve.”
Chase Bower, Mitch Caon, Lewis Klemm, Jack O’Leary and Cameron Milne fought tirelessly for PNU.