OEFN Premier Division: Narre Warren beats Wandin to claim premiership
Triumphant coach Steven Kidd declared Narre Warren, “one of the best football clubs in Victoria’’ after the Magpies soared to premiership glory on Saturday.
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Triumphant coach Steven Kidd declared Narre Warren, “one of the best football clubs in Victoria’’ after the Magpies soared to premiership glory on Saturday.
The Magpies bid farewell to the Outer East league in style, claiming the Premier Division flag after an all-the-way 40-point win over Wandin in the grand final at Officer, 14.10 (94) to 7.12 (54).
Kidd, in his first season coaching the club he played 259 senior games for, was bursting with pride and passion as he made his presentation speech.
“There’s a little emblem on our jumper,’’ he said.
“And Narre Warren is one of the best football clubs in Victoria — for sure.’’
His statement was greeted with a massive cheer from the Magpies faithful.
“We find a way,’’ Kidd continued.
“We do what we have to do. We stick together and we are so tight. It’s just a dream come true for me.’’
Narre Warren is moving to Southern league in 2025, and its final game in Outer East was a clinical display of ruthless football.
The Magpies fired off 6.1 in the opening quarter to stun Wandin.
Tom Toner capped a best-on-ground display with four goals, including two in a minute in the last quarter, while ruckman Hayden Dwyer also kicked four goals in a dominant display.
Narre Warren’s victory was redemption after it lost to Wandin in last year’s grand final.
The Magpies’ reserves also won the flag, as did their A and C grade netball sides. The black and white army was in party mode on Saturday night.
Narre Warren led by 23, 24 and 33 points at each break — and its high-energy start proved pivotal.
Brayden Sharp kicked the opening goal of the match before Peter Gentile kicked two in a row as Narre rushed to a 19-1 lead in the first 11 minutes.
Tom Toner, built for grand finals, looked dangerous up forward as Narre outplayed Wandin to lead by four goals at halftime.
Wandin squandered opportunities early in the third quarter, with Clint Johnson, Brodie Atkins and Jordan Jaworski missing set shots.
Patty Hodgett finally converted an opportunity to cut Narre Warren’s lead to 21 points.
Jaworski then slotted a brilliant goal to cut the margin to 15 points as Wandin made a third-term charge.
But it was shortlived.
Toner drilled a long goal as Narre made an instant response.
Dwyer, imposing himself on the game, drilled two late goals in the third term to extend Narre Warren’s lead to 33 points.
Wandin’s hopes were fading and the Dogs were left to rue those missed opportunities.
Dwyer took a big grab and slotted his fourth goal as the Magpies went 37 points up.
Tom Toner burst clear and sped into an open goal to kick another and put the Magpies 39 points ahead.
The floodgates were opening as Jesse Davies found Tom Toner who booted another major, his fourth, to extend the lead to 45.
Davies took a huge mark in the last term to give Magpies supporters even more reason to cheer.
After the game, Wandin coach Nick Adam said Narre Warren’s intensity was telling.
“I think we fired every shot we had today,’’ he said.
“But they (Narre Warren) brought intensity today that we didn’t cope with.’’
Kidd spoke glowingly of his players. The Magpies only lost one game all season.
“Unbelieveable effort right from the start of the year,’’ he said.
“Week in, week out, we lost one game in the wet. You boys amaze me. Each week I’ve been waiting for a slip up but what you’ve been able to do is just awesome.
“I couldn’t ask for a better group of assistant coaches, the support that I get from everyone in the club is just huge. I’m so thankful for that.’’
“To the league thank you very much for all that you’ve done for us.’’
MATCH DETAILS
Narre Warren 6.1, 7.5, 11.7, 14.10 (94) def Wandin 2.3, 3.5, 5.10, 7.12 (54).
Best-on-ground medal: Tom Toner (Narre Warren)
Reserves: Narre Warren 4.3 (27) def Upwey Tecoma 2.8 (20).
Under 19s: Pakenham 8.6 (54) def Officer 5.6 (36).
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