Aaron Johansen’s heroics lead Lions to end 16-year premiership drought
Risdon Lions broke through for its first premiership in almost 16 years on the weekend. Captain Damien Triffitt opens up on the years of heartbreak, the match winning performance and the moment he was “worried”.
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Sixteen years is a long time between drinks - just ask Risdon Lions cricket club.
It has been nearly two decades since the Lions won a premiership, playing off in the last three grand finals before this year, falling at the final hurdle.
But there was no heartbreak in 2025 for captain Damien Triffitt and his crew as they ended the 16-year drought with a six-wicket win over Marquis Tigers in the Southern Cricket Association fourth grade.
Triffitt said it was a pretty emotional moment.
“I didn’t think we were home until about 10 runs to get,” Triffitt said.
“Then I was pretty confident and the boys came to the fence getting ready to run onto the field.
“There were a few tears among the group, especially those who have been part of the losing grand finals and what we have all gone through to get here.
“It was such an incredible feeling to be able to win it, not just for the players but for the whole club.
“I personally think we have the type of club that is a real family club, you come to our games and the wives or girlfriends and kids are around cheering us on.”
Triffitt led the way with the ball picking up 4-23 from 10 overs and was well supported by opening bowler David George who picked up 3-39 from 9.4 overs.
The Tigers at one stage were 6-71 and it looked to be a very one sided match but number three bat Kieran Dooley hung around while wickets fell around him getting caught on 81 from 95 balls.
The tail wagged with Reewaj Poudel (29 from 71), Robert Braithwaite (30 from 22) and Josh Langworthy (15 off 12) helping the Tigers get to 208.
Then flashbacks started again for Triffitt when the Lions went into bat.
“We lost our opening bat second ball of the innings,” Triffitt said.
“A bloke who averages almost 60 this season gets a second ball duck in the final and I was a little worried then.
“You start to think about everything that has happened in the years prior and think is it going to happen again.
“But then Azza (Aaron Johansen), our other opening bat just took the game away from them.”
Johansen belted 84 from 35 balls including nine 6s and six 4s in his innings.
The man of the match was supported in a 114-run partnership by Brad Wakefield (31 from 36 balls).
Leigh Johnson (28 not out from 54 balls) and Mark White (36 not out from 25 balls) got the Lions over the line in the 30th over to claim the six wicket victory, ending a 16-year premiership drought.
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Originally published as Aaron Johansen’s heroics lead Lions to end 16-year premiership drought
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