South Morang defeats Diamond Creek to claim NFNL Division 2 premiership
For the first time since 1980, South Morang is back in the top flight of the Northern league, winning a second flag in three seasons in a heart-stopping grand final against Diamond Creek.
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The roar was reminiscent of 2017 when Richmond lifted the roof off the MCG.
South Morang’s faithful braved the rain, the wind and the frigid cold of Preston City Oval on Saturday and were richly rewarded.
The Lions, in their 70th year, are NFNL Division 2 premiers, winning a second flag in three seasons to continue its march up the Northern league.
A heart-stopping six-point win over Diamond Creek sees the club step up to Division 1 for the first time since 1980.
A colossal performance in the ruck saw Nathan Stefanile awarded the grand final medal, while Josh D’Intinosante booted four goals and captain Tye Hall was prolific.
In front of more than 2000 people, the 10.5 (65) to 8.11 (59) victory securing a premiership double after the reserve grade upset the Creekers in the 12pm game by five points.
It was very nearly a hat-trick but the under-19s went down to St Mary’s by 31 points.
South Morang coach Gary Hall, who also guided the club to the 2022 Division 3 title, was lost for words after the game.
“It’s a bit of a dream at the moment, I can’t believe it,” Hall said.
“We played well and hung on in tough conditions, it was a tough grand final, the first final there was a kick in it in extra-time so it was always going to be the case.
“It got a bit tight for my liking in the end but we got home.”
Liam Jolly and D’Intinosante got South Morang off to a strong start, kicking with the wind to the market end.
Tom Baird finally got Diamond Creek on the board in the 27th minute and Ryan Pingree made it back-to-back majors in the opening minutes of the second.
In difficult conditions, the Creekers weren’t able to convert their chances, kicking 2.7 in the second term.
D’Intinosante then made them pay with the final two goals of the term to give South Morang a six-point lead at half-time.
The club traded behinds in a tense start to the third before Kain Hall finally broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute, giving the Lions a 13-point buffer
Adam de Propertis made it a 19-point game before a quick-fire Tye Hall double blew the lead out to 31 points at three-quarter-time in a decisive burst.
D’Intinosante’s fourth made it a 37-point advantage early in the fourth and it looked like Morang were in cruise control.
However, Diamond Creek – as it had done in the qualifying final three weeks before – roared home with the wind at its back.
Ben Major kick-started the comeback as Tom Baird and Tyler Barnes both kicked two goals to get the Creekers within five points with 28 minutes played.
However, they couldn’t find a final push as South Morang scored a behind to make it six points and hold on in a nail-biting finish.
“We set it up in the third quarter but to hold your nerve, everyone was out on their feet at the end,” Hall said.
“We did the hard yards and deserve it.”
Deacon and Mitch Kalpakis took a number of intercept marks to keep Diamond Creek at bay, while Tyrone Leonardis and Lachie Potter were also important in the last quarter.
For Diamond Creek, Jett McLaughlin was a standout across the day and Robby Noble, Mitch Tobin, Brenton Keating and Jacob Booth stood tall.
South Morang will now prepare for its top flight return.
The club hit hard times in 2017 but has since become the prototype local footy club with a strong junior pathway feeding a successful senior side.
The Lions played with 18 one-pointers on Saturday with nine players now two-time premiership players and seven more in the reserves.
“It’s hard to describe unless you’ve been around the club,” Hall said.
“We had to survive, a 25-year-old footballer was president just to keep the club alive, that’s how hard it was.
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“To come full circle for us, on the 70th anniversary.
“Now the boys have got to worry about playing Heidelberg and Montmorency and all them boys now, it’s unbelievable.”
Cayden Failla was awarded the grand final medal in the reserve grade triumph, South Morang winning 5.6 (36) to 4.7 (31).
While in the under-19s, St Mary’s was too good winning 8.11 (59) to 4.4 (28).
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