EFNL Division 3: Waverley Blues break 14-year premiership drought in heart-stopping finish

The Blues dug deep to claim the EFNL Division 3 flag in an all-time classic on Saturday, capping a five-month winning run.

The Waverley Blues have won their first senior flag since 2008. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Redemption at last.

The Waverley Blues have broken through for their first premiership since 2008, prevailing over Donvale in a heart-stopping finish to the Eastern league Division 3 decider at Ringwood’s Jubilee Park on Saturday.

The last-gasp 7.12 (54) to 7.10 (52) flag capped a five-month, 17-match winning run for the ladder-topping Blues, who lost the Division 3 grand final in 2019.

With scores locked at 52 apiece at the 25-minute-mark of the final term, a desperate Jaye O’Connell received a high bump while hunting the ball inside 50, resulting in a free kick to the Blues.

Unable to take the kick, fellow forward Omar Mohammad slotted what would prove the match-winning behind – edging the Blues ahead after his side had fallen 13 points adrift 26 minutes into the third term.

Omar Mohammad (left) finished with two goals and the match-winning point. Picture: Davis Harrigan

The minor premier had led by 18 points early in the second quarter after a wasteful opener netted just 2.6 (18) from 14 inside-50s to Donvale’s six, leading by just 12 at the first break.

Donvale rallied ahead of half-time to cut the margin to nine, courtesy of a Joshua Jordaan major from a set-shot on the siren.

The Magpies continued their momentum into the third term, hitting the front by a point with 10 minutes expired after ruckman Zac Haig registered a behind.

Two majors from Donvale spearhead Ethan Duncan followed in the shadows of the final change.

And when Harrison Giles slotted his second goal on the run with 26 minutes passed to mark two in 30 seconds, Donvale, holding a 13-point advantage, looked set to salute a second flag in five years.

Enter Mohammad, who goaled a minute later to bring the Blues back within seven points at the last change.

Waverley Blues coach Tom Langford credited his group’s unwavering belief and improved run and carry in the last-quarter revival.

Langford (pictured) said belief helped his side across the line in a tense final quarter on Saturday. Picture: Davis Harrigan

“It was obviously a nervous moment but luckily, we responded pretty quickly after they kicked that goal,” Langford said of his side’s 13-point deficit in the third.

“(Mohammad’s goal) definitely gave us a sniff and we spoke about how we’ve got so much believe in our system and what we do, and we spoke pre-game about it too.

“All we need is a sniff and opportunity to compete and we believe that’s all we need.

“We showed some run and dash in the last quarter which had probably been missing from midway through the second (quarter), and we were able to get the game back on our terms, open it up again and move the ball pretty quickly.”

Blues defender Ben Turner was awarded the Frank Bibby Medal for best afield, as he tirelessly marked and repelled Donvale’s forward entries.

The Blues’ Ben Turner finished best afield for his tireless work in defence. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Langford described Turner’s performance as “first-class”, while also highlighting the games of backmen Sam Hale and Jack Strongman.

“Unbelievable,” Langford said of Turner.

“He’s been an absolute star all year.

“He’s at the back-end of his career but that doesn’t mean his quality has dropped off at all. He’s a real cornerstone of our side and we can allow him to play the role he does and play to his strengths.

“His one-on-one intercept marks is something we really focus on – we’re really lucky to have a bloke like that who’s got such an obvious skill-set which sometimes you don’t see at this level.”

The nail-biting triumph marks Langford’s first senior flag in a football career which has taken in more than 150 matches at state level across Port Melbourne and Richmond. He finished with two goals.

But he was quick to brush off any personal glory.

“To be honest, it sounds a bit cliché and boring but I’m just happy to be one of the 22 – I don’t get out there and put any pressure on myself to perform at a certain level, I’m just happy to be part of the system and the team,” Langford said.

“Obviously we’ve won 17 in a row, and I think that says enough – it’s not about individuals.”

There were no shortage of Langford fans on Saturday, but the coach shrugged off any personal glory. Picture: Davis Harrigan

It had been a dramatic build-up for the Blues, with key forward and co-captain Matt Perry missing the grand final through a two-match suspension, following a bumping incident in the club’s Round 17 match with Donvale.

A subsequent appeal to free the 39-goal forward was unsuccessful.

Langford called Perry onto the premiership dais to hoist the cup and collect a medal.

Key forward Matt Perry missed the grand final through suspension. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“He’s a huge part of what we’ve achieved, the grand final is just a culmination of that,” Langford said.

“There are other sports in the world like soccer overseas where you finish the season on top and you’ve won … we’ve got a unique situation in footy where it all has to come together on one day.

“It’s been an emotional month and we wanted to make sure he was involved and his support and energy around the group today was first-class … it’s like he was there with us.

“He’s such a great leader and such a heart-on-sleeve personality. It was an obvious one to get him involved.”

Little separated the Blues and Magpies on Saturday. Picture: Davis Harrigan

The senior result followed a reserves grand final won by the Blues in golden-point.

Langford said the two flags were a testament to his club’s body of work across three years.

“We’ve built a really strong squad and system, and it stacks up, and today (Saturday) proves that despite two incredibly close results,” he said.

“It’s three years of hard work to get to this point – the lockdowns and everything – it takes a couple of weeks to reflect and the beauty of what we’ve got at this club is the guys will reflect together.

“They’re all best mates and the next few days will be really special.”

The victory earns the Waverley Blues promotion to Division 2.

Waverley Blues 2.6 3.7 5.8 7.12 (54)

Donvale 1.0 2.4 6.9 7.10 (52)

Goals:

Waverley Blues: Tom Langford, Omar Mohammad 2, Jaye O’Connell, Daniel Playsted, Josh Williamson

Donvale: Harrison Giles 3, Ethan Duncan 2, Brandon Kapakoulakis, Joshua Jordaan

Best:

Waverley Blues: Ben Turner, Nick Perry, Rory Kinsella, Omar Mohammad, Jack Strongman, Daniel Playsted

Donvale: Charlie Kent, James Rausa, Mihaele Zalac, Harrison Giles, Zac Haig, Matt Leardi