EFL 2019: Fairpark claims its first premiership since 1995
The EFL Division 4 premiership appeared to be heading to East Burwood until a remarkable 20-minute burst turned the decider on its head and delivered Fairpark its first flag in 24 years.
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It’s a day Fairpark fans have only dreamed of.
Maybe not even then had the Lions faithful considered the prospect of a drought-breaking premiership.
Years of pain were washed away in a magical 20-minute burst that delivered the perennial cellar dweller its second EFL flag.
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Fairpark completed a superb finals campaign on Sunday to claim its first flag since 1995 with a 15-point win over East Burwood in wind and rain at the Scoresby Reserve.
The Lions had kicked just three goals and trailed by 11 points at the seven-minute mark of the final term, but kicked the last four majors to score a come-from-behind win in the Division 4 decider.
They finished third but won two knockout finals to progress to the decider before tasting grand final glory.
It was standing room only in the changerooms as fans crowded to hear a full-throated rendition of the team song.
🆠Fairpark wins its first senior premiership since 1995, defeating East Burwood by 15 points in the #EFLDIV4 GF. Ronnie McKendry wins the Colin Tainton Blue Ribbon Medal for best afield with three goals. Captain Jesse Pearce and coach Sean Stanton hold the cup aloft: pic.twitter.com/mOddYPXLP2
— Dan (@DC_EFL) September 8, 2019
“It’s a sense of relief but pride and just to see how much it means to this football club,” Fairpark coach Sean Stanton said.
“There were plenty of tears. It’s an emotional ride. We’ve struggled for a number of years now and it’s just good we get some success.
“It’s bigger than the 22 that played today. I keep referring to our supporters, friends and family that sacrifice so much to allow us to play.
“We’re a very tight-knit club, a community club and it’s great we can celebrate as one.”
Fairpark and East Burwood supporters filled the ground with hope their club would end a long flag drought (the Rams most recent premiership was the 2000 Division 1 triumph).
Umbrellas lined the fence as spectators retreated in conditions that resembled more winter than spring.
And it appeared the flag would be heading East Burwood’s way when Braeden Barlow snapped a remarkable goal from the pocket to open the last quarter.
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Barlow was hard against the boundary but threaded the unlikely shot to give the Rams an 11-point advantage.
But Fairpark, inspired by Ron McKendry’s move into the midfield, kicked the final four goals of the game to steal a 7.7 (49) to 4.10 (34) victory that will be celebrated for weeks.
Efstratios Doulgeris got the immediate reply with a long-range set shot before James Gough put Fairpark in front for the first time.
Ben Dadswell extended the margin and Gough snapped the sealer from a ruck contest.
McKendry was awarded the Colin Tainton/Blue Ribbon medal as best on ground.
But celebrations were dimmed by a serious leg injury to Kyle Hird.
The game was stopped for 30 minutes in the third quarter as Hird was taken from the ground with a broken leg.
Stanton said it was “sheer ecstasy” on the final siren.
“Supporters probably never thought they would see this again,” he said.
“There is pride, immense satisfaction and there’ll be a huge amount of enjoyment shared, not only over the next couple of days but over the next couple of weeks.”
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