Eastern Park Football club wins C7 League premiership in South Australia’s most heroic footy league
THE long, hard road to the grand final came to a one-sided end for the Goodwood Saints on Saturday in what is arguably Aussie rules’ smallest but most heroic division.
THE long, hard road to the grand final came to a one-sided end for the Goodwood Saints in what is arguably Aussie rules’ smallest but most heroic division.
In response to the Eastern Park Demons’ kicking 4.10 (34), the Saints could only muster three points — and even two of them were rushed through the posts by their opponents.
But there were hugs and handshakes, and tears of joy when the final siren blew.
There are only four teams — the others being Kenilworth and Salisbury — in South Australia’s C7 Football Amateur League, which caters for individuals with mental disabilities, physical limitations and integration issues.
The players’ ages range from 15 to 50, and they contest a season consisting of nine matches with 12-minute quarters.
“No guts, no glory” read the banner the Eastern Park players broke through and there was plenty of courage on display from both sides but, in the end, it was the Demons who ran away with the honours.
Demon Stephen Palmer also went home with the coveted best on ground award, but the Saints marched home with their heads held high — and matching hopes for next year’s season.