EDFL: Airport West overcomes West Coburg in tight grand final
Airport West is back in the EDFL’s top tier after claiming the Division 1 premiership with the big names starring as they now look ahead to the next challenge.
Essendon
Don't miss out on the headlines from Essendon. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Airport West is back where it wants to be.
Playing EDFL Premier Division footy.
The Eagles broke through to reach the top tier with a hard fought 12.13 (85) to 6.17 (53) victory over a brave West Coburg in the Division 1 grand final at Windy Hill.
From the first bounce it was clear, the game would be won by the team who won the contested ball battle.
Eagles’ co-captain Jesse McVeigh kicked the game’s first when he was fed beautifully by a Patrik Balta tap at a half-forward stoppage in front of his club’s supporters who had sat in the grandstand.
Star forward Ned Gentile, who finished with three goals, produced the highlight of the first half when he flew high at the 20-minute mark of the opening quarter only to miss his effort on goal.
Not to be outdone, West Coburg’s Lynden Dunn snapped truly to give his side their first of the game.
Two of Airport West’s first three goals came from kick ins following West Coburg’s missed opportunities, their brilliant ball movement a highlight.
But from there it only came in glimpses.
Eagles coach Trent Rogers said it was a telling factor in the result.
“The game just didn’t break open at all because they (West Coburg) didn’t allow it to,” he said.
“To their credit, they’ve probably saved their three best games of year for the last three.
“One thing that was significant for our boys was their level of commitment to training and what they had put themselves through, it didn’t take their absolute best to get the job done but they had to fight for everything.
“The intensity that they train at and the standards that they’ve set for themselves mean that even if they’re not quite at that the mark they’re used to, they’re still good enough to win on the big stage. That’s something for us to be really, really proud of.
“I think our lowest score for the year has just won us a grand final which is pretty amazing.”
Strong defensive efforts had become part of the brand at Airport West this season, often suffocating opposition attacks.
It was no different on the last day of the season, although the Burgers would be the first to admit they let themselves down in front of goal.
“We had a goal of being the number one defensive side throughout the year and we clamped hold of that and when we got hold of that in about round 11 or 12 we were determined to never lose that,” Rogers said.
“I know both sides had a lot of opportunities they missed and probably should have taken, there were more points than goals kicked for the game.
“I thought the way we were able to just defend and hold our ground was critical. I don’t think they kicked consecutive goals which is pretty significant.”
Reuben William took home the best on ground medal with his line breaking speed and athleticism one of the highlights of the day.
The Werribee VFL listed midfielder only just qualified for the Eagles’ finals series having played the minimum number of games (four) in the home-and-away season.
While William produced a strong display, it was the outstanding effort of 42-year-old Clayton Rogers which had plenty of people talking.
Opposed to Dunn, the pair produced an outstanding battle but the longer the game went on the more it felt as if Rogers continued to be in the right place at the right time.
Rogers, who has no relation to the senior coach, is now a three-time premiership player and doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
“He’s a bit like a goalkeeper,” Trent Rogers said.
“He’s just so reliable, it’s almost like he could play forever. He just knows how to read the footy and backs himself in.
“His composure is absolutely amazing, that’s what sets him apart. Everyone that’s around him, the reason why the six or seven lads who roll through the backline play so well is actually because they’ve got Clates down there as a supporter.”
In 2023, Airport West will now become the hunter, not the hunted but it’s a challenge they’re willing to live up to.
“Pretty much every one of the lads is re-signed next year and we’re excited for the big jump,” he said.
“We want to go up and stay up.”
Others to produce strong performances for the Eagles included Daniel Sinnott who cut West Coburg apart with his silky ball use out of defence.
Joel Brown was impressive on the wing while Brendan Godden’s influence grew the longer the game went on.
Ben Nelson and Muhammad Saad performed strongly through the middle of the ground.
For West Coburg, Dane Lucas and captain Liam Bowkett were immense in defence while Domenic Dean Spagnolo was strong in the ruck.
It turned out to be the perfect day for Airport West as the reserves took out its own premiership, also against West Coburg, earlier in the day.
Ranked: The ex-AFL players who lit up local footy this year
From the bush to the ‘burbs, former AFL players thrilled local football crowds across all corners of the state this year. We’ve named the best – and ranked the top 15. See who heads the list.
Every signing of the EDFL off-season
The EDFL off-season has only just started but some clubs have already well and truly started making moves for 2025. Keep up to date with every signing in our signing tracker.