Gordon out to end their drought after tough years as a club

We name the six players most likely to shape the outcome of this weekend’s CHFL Grand Final between Gordon and Springbank.

Gordon life member and former premiership player Neil Toohey admits Saturday’s grand final appearance for the Eagles was nothing more than a pipedream 12 years ago.

Gordon will take on Springbank in the Central Highlands Football League decider at Mars Stadium, looking for its first premiership since 1988.

It is just their second grand final in the CHFL since the premiership success 34 years ago.

Back in 2010 making the grand final was merely a dream, the club had bigger issues.

Toohey, who played in the 1988 grand final, was part of the committee who saw trouble for the club.

Neil Toohey with his guernsey he wore in the 1988 grand final which Gordon won. Picture: Shane Jones.

“We went 10 years where we won one game a year,” he said.

“It did drag us down and we had a meeting to discuss our future.

“I was driving home thinking this may be the end.

“(But once) we sent out a SOS for support we’ve never looked back ever since.

“When you extend your hand out looking for help (sometimes) you get help.

“(Since then) we’ve only missed finals once since 2011.”

Gordon has become one of the dominant teams in the competition without gaining the premiership success it craves.

Toohey said he’s seen similarities between this year’s team and the 1988 premiership side.

“We (both teams) have got a lot of goal scorers,” he said.

“Back then we got big scores and we are doing it again.

“Both sides are playing good attacking football.

“In both teams there are a lot of blokes that come up from juniors and have played in senior grade.

“That’s what made this year (and 1988) special.”

Toohey played in the midfield during the last premiership success which saw the team win the title after losing just once all year.

He said one memory stood out from the win.

“The community response to it was incredible,” he said.

“We were treated like heroes.

“It was bigger than just the player and bigger than the club.

“To see all the supporters so happy was what gave me the buzz.”

He is expecting a similar feeling this weekend if the club wins.

Toohey added players from the 1988 premiership success will also attend.

“There is a lasting bond (between the players),” he said.

“A lot of the players from that time will gather this weekend.

“Each time you catch up with them it is like you’ve played and talked to them yesterday.”

Neil is looking forward to the team playing its rivals in the decider, Springbank.

The two teams during the season play for the Jimmy Toohey Memorial Trophy, named in honour of Neil’s brother.

“It’s great,” Neil said.

“I was very happy when it fell that way.

“It brings extra meaning to both club.

“We love to beat each other and hate to lose to each other.”

Neil these days is enjoying life as a Gordon supporter after being a former committee member, a former player and also an umpire in the competition.

He’ll be hoping to cheer on his son Adam Toohey, who is a co-coach and player in the decider.

“Recently I’ve been just doing what I can do to help the club,” he said.

“Years ago I was a committee member during the dark days.

“When we got a lot of new faces in I stood back.

“I also umpired for three grades but stopped doing that this year as I was getting too old.

“I’ll (just) be the number one cheerleader on Saturday.”

Gordon to be without two former AFL premiership stars

Gordon co-coach Adam Toohey said it was an easy decision not including former Geelong premiership stars James Kelly and Mathew Stokes for the grand final.

Both opted out of playing in the decider, choosing to let the local players in the team get their chance for premiership glory.

Gordon's Adam Toohey. Picture: Shane Jones.

“They are both extremely good people.

“Kel (James Kelly) last year was a stay at home dad, trained every week and was really good.

“This year being a Geelong assistant he hasn’t been able to get around as much.

“Same as Stokesy.

“So both thought it would be better for the locals to get the job done.”

Adam is confident the team can get the job done against their rivals.

“The group we’ve put together is really strong,” he said.

“And we’ve just started to get everyone healthy and fit at the right time of the time.

“It’s one of the reasons we made the decision (to not play Kelly or Stokes)

“We’ve got a pretty healthy list.

“They (Springbank) are a really quality team with quality players.

“The two toughest games we’ve had all year has been against them.”

Adam said there was no pressure on the players to bring premiership success to the club for the first time in years.

Instead, it’s an exciting time for the club.

“We know how much it means to not only the players but the community,” he said.

“I don’t find it being too much pressure, i’m just excited for the opportunity.

“They (Springbank) are going to feel the pressure as they haven’t beaten us all season.”

The game starts at 2.45pm.

Here are the key players to watch out for in the decider.

Steve Staunton (Springbank)

The leading goalkicker in the competition this season out of the two teams in the grand final.

Staunton has kicked 76 goals in 15 games.

Importantly, he’s kicked goals against Gordon this year, kicking five goals a game in both contests.

A big bag of goals from him will put Springbank in good stead.

Tye Murphy (Gordon)

The club stalwart just continues to be reliable in the midfield, producing good performances every week.

In 12 games this season, he’s been in the best players for more than half of them.

Murphy has played almost 200 games for the club and is one of a few of the team who has achieved premiership success in seniors.

He won the 2011 premiership with Lake Wendouree in the Ballarat Football Netball League.

Todd Finco (Springbank)

Described as one of the best midfielders in the competition by the opposition, much of Springbank’s chances will rely on how well he plays.

He’s not only a prolific ball winner but Finco knows how to find the scoreboard as well.

Finco has averaged two goals a game this season.

If Gordon doesn’t stop him, Springbank inches closer to victory.

Adam Toohey (Gordon)

The co-coach has kicked the most goals for Gordon this season, kicking 65 goals in 17 games.

He also kicked five goals in the last contest against Springbank.

It won’t be just his goalkicking, which will be a key for the team, he will also be vital for his leadership and influence on the game.

If Toohey can get the team focused on the task, it could be enough to seal a historic title.

Connor Ascough (Gordon)

The Gordon forward kicked three goals in the previous match against Springbank as his 10 minute spell, according to his coach, set up the win for the Eagles.

Ascough has kicked 39 goals in 17 games and has kicked four or more goals in three games this season.

Zak Bozanich (Springbank)

The forward for Springbank was the hero last week, kicking the winning goal to get the side into the grand final.

He kicked five goals in the contest and overall has 39 for the season.

Bozanich has kicked three goals in the two contests against Gordon this year.