EFL Division 4: Silvan defeats Surrey Park to advance to first grand final since 2014

The EFL Division 4 Cats turned a “putrid” loss a week ago into a stunning second-half revival led by the coach. But they face a nervous wait on an injured star name ...

THE occasion demanded a lift.

And it was spearheaded by the coach.

Silvan overcame a 19-point half-time deficit to put Surrey Park to the sword by 27 points in the Eastern league Division 4 semi-final on Saturday – booking its spot in the grand final.

The minor premier piled on 11.0 to the Panthers’ 3.2 after the main break to romp to the 15.4 (94) to 10.7 (67) victory, a week after losing to its closest flag rival in the final round of the season.

Silvan is through to its first senior grand final since 2014. Picture: Davis Harrigan

The Cats were dealt a hammer-blow five minutes into the match with powerhouse ruckman James Charge leaving the field with a hamstring injury.

Silvan senior coach Trent Martin credited the turnaround to a lift from the midfield after half-time in Charge’s absence – alongside belief.

“Just the belief in the group – as we’ve said all along, we feel we’re the best team in the comp,” Martin said.

“We were pretty far off that (in the first half), we had to change a lot because Charge did a hammy in the first five minutes of the game.

“To lose that in a final gets your head spinning a bit, but we came good.”

Surrey Park was on top in the first half before Silvan lifted. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Martin moved the magnets to help inspire a victory.

Century goalkicker Leigh Kimpton was moved further up the field while the coach took on the rucking duties for the majority of the match in Charge’s place to finish best-on-ground.

“I had to (step up), our backup ruckman did a hammy a couple of weeks ago so I was the next tallest, biggest bloke out there,” Martin said.

“I’d been doing it a little bit throughout the year and it was a no-brainer – ‘Chargey’ went down and I had to step up and rucked for three and a half quarters.

“At my age it wasn’t what I was planning to do, but it worked.

“We knew at our best that we could beat them, we changed some personnel and we did what we said we were going to do.”

Silvan coach Trent Martin finished best afield for his role in the ruck. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Silvan will contest its first senior grand final since 2014 in a fortnight’s time, while Surrey Park will play the winner of Sunday’s Chirnside Park-Kilsyth cut-throat semi-final for a spot in the decider.

Surrey Park will play the winner of Sunday’s semi-final. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Martin hasn’t ruled out Charge’s return for the grand final – but conceded it would be touch-and-go.

“We’ll give him every chance because he deserves it – he’s been massive for our footy club and for me, for the town, for everything,” Martin said.

“We’ll give him every chance to get up, whether he does or not, it might be the Friday night before the Saturday grand final game.

“I truly believe he’s the best player in the comp and he’s earnt that right.”

Kimpton finished with four majors to take his season total to 107, while Surrey Park’s Nicholas Kann bagged five to finish among his side’s best alongside Ryan Kennedy.