EFL Division 4: Chirnside Park wins first final since 2009

The Panthers climbed out of the wilderness on Sunday to post their first finals win since 2009. The victory extended well beyond the playing group, as the coach explains.

It’s another milestone ticked off for Chirnside Park.

The Panthers broke through for their first finals win since 2009 on Sunday, defeating fourth-placed Kilsyth in the Eastern league Division 4 semi-final.

In the club’s first finals campaign in 13 years, Chirnside Park held off a desperate Cougars outfit by 24 points, eliminating them from the premiership race in their first finals series since 2015.

Kilsyth made its charge in the third term with the aid of the breeze to cut a 21-point half-time deficit to just four points at the final change – but Chirnside Park wasn’t to be denied in the last, snapping another longstanding drought.

Ticking off milestones has been a common theme at Kimberley Reserve across the past two seasons.

Last year the Panthers rose from cellar dwellers to finals contenders before the season was scrapped. They broke a two-season losing streak early in the 2021 campaign before later winning back-to-back matches – and posting a victory on their home ground – both for the first time in almost four years.

Chirnside Park defender Jimmy Wells was among the best on Sunday, the coach says. Photo: Hamish Blair

Chirnside Park senior coach Dave Newlands said Sunday’s victory extended well beyond the playing group.

“It was good for the club – obviously it’s hard with the ‘19s and reserves losing before us, but they had great years as well,” Newlands said.

“It’s just a credit to everyone … I said to the boys it takes the whole community to play finals and go well.

“In the rooms after the game, for the older guys that have been around for a long time that always help out and do all the little jobs, it was great for them to have a big smile on their face.”

Chirnside Park’s charge was led by reigning Division 4 medallist Ben Slattery, while Scott Dwyer finished with three majors. The coach also credited Lachie McGee and Josh Clavant alongside the back six.

“They all had great games, and then our backline Jimmy Wells, Ethan Stone, it was a really good effort by everyone,” Newlands said.

Newlands also lauded veterans Grattan Stephens in the ruck and Daniel Beddome in attack (two goals), whose experience was “invaluable” in finals footy.

Grattan Stephens spoils an opponent earlier this season.Picture: Valeriu Campan

“He (Stephens) is just a cool head,” Newlands said.

“We always knew they (Kilsyth) were going to come at us in the third quarter but just that cool head to say ‘We’re always going to have the upper hand, we’ve just got to play to our game’.

“He’s really good like that and Dipper’s the same in the forward line – cool heads in the right areas of the ground.”

The win sets up a preliminary final date with second-seeded Surrey Park this Sunday, August 28 at East Burwood Reserve.

The pair have met on three occasions this season with each encounter decided by 16 points or less.

Chirnside Park holds the advantage winning two of the three clashes by nine and 12 points respectively, before Surrey Park prevailed by 16 points in Round 16.

“Every time we’ve played them it’s been pretty tight,” Newlands said.

“We’ve beaten them twice and only lost to them by a couple of kicks last time … either way I think we both match-up pretty similar.

“Obviously they finished second, but we think our footy’s good enough to go with them.”