Chelsea Heights overcomes bold opposition from Murrumbeena to win Southern premiership

CHELSEA Heights is the Southern league Division 2 premier after a 13-point win over Murrumbeena at Power Rd Reserve.

Chelsea Heights players celebrate after defeating Murrumbeena.

Chelsea Heights is flying its first premiership pennant in 17 years after defeating a brave Murrumbeena in the Southern league Division 2 grand final at Doveton’s Power Road Reserve on Saturday.

The bigger-bodied Demons, who had proved themselves the best team all season, looked out on their feet at times but just kept finding something against their hungry challengers to emerge victorious 10.11 (71) to 8.10 (58).

“We were down and out at halftime and I gave them a monster rip,” Heighters coach Brad Canavan said after the siren.

“We ran rotation after rotation just trying to get something to happen and it finally started turning our way.”

The Lions were winning the clearances with Jake Semmel and Al Bradley finishing off the good work and the Demons appeared to be hanging on grimly.

Chelsea Heights shows off the premiership cup.

But three Phil Smith goals in the third term rejuvenated his team and the game was back in the balance.

The football gods were not kind to the Lions.

Instead of coming home with the breeze in the final quarter as they had expected, a change of wind had them battling into a two or three-goal south-westerly when it mattered most.

Luke Newton didn’t need to lift as he had already helped to keep the Heighters in the contest and his last quarter was equally constructive, while big Luke Behin was a tower of strength in the ruck.

Matt Baxter’s superb use of the ball was recognised by the umpires, whose votes earned him the coveted Menielly Medal for best afield.

Heights stalwart Phil Matheson after the final siren.

The hardworking Mick Danckert and silky-skilled Nathan Hetherington also shone for the winners, while the ‘Big Show’, Smith, finished with five goals.

Lachie Dobson, Phil Matheson and Jordie Peryman delivered telling goals in a tense final term that saw the Lions miss some crucial opportunities that could have changed everything.

Ed Espinosa, skipper Mitch Walder and Bradley (four goals) were among the many who battled valiantly in an even team effort to make the Beena dream come true, but it wasn’t to be.

Coaching Murrumbeena for the last time, Steve Wright was, as always, gracious in defeat.

“Yes, just a couple of goals that could have gone either way and a breeze that swung the other way, but that’s football,” he said with a shrug of the shoulders.

“They had only played one game in 35 days and were well rested, so in the end, that may have got them over the line.

“We finished fourth and have been up for a long time. Full credit to our guys, they just kept having a go, but perhaps we were due for a loss.”

After his four-year stint at Murrumbeena, Wright leaves the role with no regrets.

“As a coach, no matter what football club you go to, you always want to leave it in a better space than when you arrived.

“We’ve played in two grand finals in four years and I believe the club is on the up, so hopefully I have done my job.”

Outgoing Murrumbeena coach Steve Wright watches the presentation of the cup.