Old Paradians defeat Fitzroy Stars to win NFNL Division 3 premiership in first year
An eight-goal Patrick Farrant blitz couldn’t stop Old Paradians claiming a history-making NFNL Division 3 premiership, winning the title in its first season in the league.
Northern
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History in the making.
Old Paradians’ move to the Northern Football Netball League has paid off immediately, with a famous premiership victory.
In a free-flowing, high-scoring contest, the Raiders defeated Fitzroy Stars by 15 points win at Lalor Reserve to lift the Division 3 trophy at the first time of asking.
The 17.8 (110) to 13.17 (95) victory is the club’s first flag since 2015 in VAFA Division 2.
Lachie Kerr’s four goals earnt him the grand final medal as best-on-ground, while Sam Gilmore was colossal throughout and Jack Nicolo and Will Gilmore marshalled the defence.
A captivating eight-goal Patrick Farrant performance wasn’t enough to end the Stars’ drought.
Paradians set the win up with a seven-goal third quarter, taking a 21-point lead into quarter-time, and held on as Fitzroy wasted a glut of opportunity in the fourth, kicking 2.7.
It completes a big year for Parade College after the school claimed the Herald Sun Shield title for the second straight year too.
Raiders coach Ben Turner, now a two-time premiership coach, said it was only the start for the club.
“It’s hard to make sense of it, just so proud of everyone who has represented Parade this season and been a part of the journey,” Turner said.
“Who know where it ends for us but we’re forever grateful to everyone that has supported us this year.”
Attack was the name of the game in perfect conditions and 11 goals were kicked in a dazzling first quarter.
Farrant kicked four goal – against the wind – as he threatened to win the game off his own boot, while Kerr kicked two to keep pace.
Parade took a four-point lead to quarter-time after Michael Boundy launched a booming 65m kick that sailed through post high on the wind.
Excelling against the wind, Stars weren’t able to take advantage of it at their backs, kicking 3.5.
A number of undisciplined acts helped Parade kick two goals, while Gordon Bamblett and Anthony Walker were yellow carded, Stars leading by just four points at half-time.
A flurry of goals saw the lead change hands three times in the opening minutes of the third before Parade took control.
Rufus Jones (twice), Tom Cooper and Blair Healy slotted four unanswered goals to take the Raiders’ lead to 27 points.
Healy’s unbelievable finish from the boundary line matched by Raman Winmar’s equally impressive goal that broke Parade’s run and gave Fitzroy hope, reducing the margin to 21 points at three-quarter-time.
Kerr was in everything for Parade, his return from an ankle injury proving the difference in over-turning the six-point semi-final loss a fortnight before.
“Lachie missed the semi with an ankle injury, came back in for the prelim playing under duress and came in and has a blinder today,” Turner said.
“He’s such a great kid, he’s only 20 years of age, so he’s got a lot of good footy in front of him.
“He’s a warrior, he was injured but worked his backside off and got the rewards today.”
Sam Gilmore made it 21 points early in the fourth and took a series of intercept and pressure-relieving marks.
The Stars looked to make their move, Jai Burns and Farrant’s eighth reducing the margin to 12 points but a Will Gilmore and Healy double-team would then keep the Collingwood VFL star quiet.
Boundy pushed the margin back out to 19 points and despite waves of attack, Fitzroy couldn’t find the goals.
Gilmore played through injury throughout the finals series to win his third straight premiership following back-to-back Division 1 titles with Heidelberg.
“He had a bit to work through, we needed to give him time to get to where he needed to be,” Turner said.
“To see his bravery in the last quarter, he could easily have sat off and left to others but that’s not him.
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“He made sure he was out there doing everything he could to help us win, he took some huge marks and kicked a goal, what an unbelievable performance.”
For Fitzroy, Farrant showcased his AFL potential, while Allan Norris was brilliant against Gilmore, Neville Jetta and James Trajkovski stood tall.
Star midfielders Jai Burns and Kain Proctor struggled to make an impact.
Kilmore claimed the reserve grade premiership, turning the tables on Mernda after being handed its first defeat of the season in the semi-final, while Banyule claimed the under-19 flag over Macleod.
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