EFL 2018: Vermont reveals how it overcome consecutive grand final defeats to taste premiership success
VERMONT had to overcome consecutive grand final defeats to taste the ultimate success. Here is how the Eagles rose to reinforce their status as suburban football’s powerhouse club.
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SOME were calling it a drought.
For others it helped heal grand final wounds.
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It had been nine years since Eastern Football League powerhouse Vermont had tasted grand final glory, its second-longest stretch without a premiership.
Some around Terrara Rd may have been getting edgy this decade would be the first since the league was formed in 1962 that the club would go without a flag.
The Eagles had to endure three grand final defeats since their last premiership in 2009, including a capitulation on the league’s biggest day last year against South Croydon.
Captain Lachie Johns praised the club’s resilience in bouncing back from consecutive grand final losses moments after last month’s 35-point win over the Bulldogs.
“I was just worried. I didn’t want to lose again,” Johns said.
“We got pretty close there a few times so to finally get over the line, yeah, awesome feeling.
“When the siren went it was just that relief and excitement that you’ve finally got it done.”
Former captain Tim Johnson, a member of the successful 2009 side, played the first week of finals in the reserves but earnt a recall for the decider when Rory Lehmann missed through injury.
“It’s the culmination of a long journey, not just this year but the last couple where we’ve finished on top but haven’t quite got the job done on the final day,” Johnson said. “It’s very special, very proud and couldn’t be happier for all my teammates who have got to experience the ultimate success that I got to a long time ago.”
The 15.11 (101) to 10.6 (66) victory gave Vermont its 20th EFL premiership, reinforcing its status as the pre-eminent club in suburban football.
President Michael Rennie said the triumph helped mend some wounds after three grand final defeats in six years.
“It’s been difficult over the last few years to get to the grand final and not win the big one,” Rennie said.
“It’s great reward for everyone who dusted themselves off and got back on with the job.
“We’ve had a rich history of success, but for me it’s just great to win it after nine years of not being able to get there or not being able to win one. When the siren went, I was certainly pretty excited but I vouch there was a lot of relief that we’d won the big one.”
Coach Harmit Singh saw first-hand how dedicated his group was during the season.
The Eagles trained for three nights during the middle of the year in a bid to hoist the silverware.
“The guys really committed, mate, it was amazing how hard they worked,” Singh said.
“It was nearly a VFL-like summer their preparation.
“These guys drove it themselves, which is positive, and they deserve to be premiership players.”
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