Kilburn Chics rise from the ashes with division four amateur football grand final win
AS FAR as football fightbacks go, Kilburn’s is up there with the most dramatic.
AS FAR as football fightbacks go, Kilburn’s is up there with the most dramatic.
The Chics were winless in the amateur league division three last season with an average losing margin of more than 300 points and forfeited two matches because they did not have enough players to field a team.
They were also 16 points down with several players suffering cramp and another already sent off for a red-card offence as six minutes remained in the division four grand final against Salisbury at Alberton Oval on Saturday.
But Kilburn dug deep to kick four of the game’s last five goals, including one from the boundary under the scoreboard to take the lead, and snatch an unlikely 14.11 (95) to 13.15 (93) win.
The word fairytale gets thrown around a lot in sport but Chics assistant Greg Galbraith reckons it is the only way to describe the club’s turnaround.
“I’m absolutely astounded,” Galbraith said.
“We’ve gone from no guts to glory.
“It’s been a massive effort by everyone involved.
“There’s no other word to it — it was a fairytale.”
Kilburn, a former powerhouse, began its stunning revival late last year when Matthew Whelan returned to the club as A-grade player/coach.
Chics officials lured nine premiership players back to the club this year amid a massive recruiting drive.
Jamin Tripp was the only player to feature regularly in the club’s thrashings last season and win a flag on Saturday.
“It’s unbelievable,” Tripp said.
“Coming from last year where we’re losing by 60 goals a game, it was great to have the boys come back and get a premiership.”
Salisbury led at every break of the grand final and looked cleaner, faster and fresher for much of the match.
But the Chics held tough to ensure the margin was never greater than three goals and sparked to life in the final five minutes while throwing caution to the wind.
Whelan said the team never gave in.
“I don’t know how we did it but we did it,” Whelan said.
“As soon as the siren went, it was absolutely beautiful.”
James O’Loughlin, Cameron Williams, Scott Galbraith, Clifford Wilson and Jake Levy (four goals) were best for Kilburn.