Outer East league: Gembrook Cockatoo wins the Division 1 premiership

An emotional address triggered ex-AFL Kangaroo Michael Firrito to play “like a man possessed” in Gembrook Cockatoo’s grand final victory.

Gembrook Cockatoo players show off the Outer East Division 1 flag. Picture: Facebook

Four goals from former North Melbourne player Michael Firrito has propelled Gembrook Cockatoo to its first senior premiership since 2016.

The Brookers jumped to an early lead over Seville and maintained a buffer in Friday’s Outer East league Division 1 grand final at Woori Yallock, sealing a 23-point victory.

The flag was a long time coming for 38-year-old Firrito, who’s only other premiership was in Gembrook’s under-9s.

Gembrook Cockatoo also won the reserves premiership, crowning a stellar season.

“To win one flag for the club is awesome but to win two on the same day is unbelievable,” Brookers coach Brad Coller said.

Michael Firrito receives his premiership medal. Picture: Facebook

Gembrook Cockatoo vice-captain Josh Tilly had 34 touches to take home the best-on-ground medal. His clearance work, especially in the third quarter, lifted the Brookers to victory, 14.11 (95) to 10.12 (72).

Aaron Firrito was also superb in the middle and Damien Volta effortlessly racked up touches, while Dante South had 16 tackles, four smothers and kicked a goal.

“His pressure was just out of this world,” Coller said of South.

Brayden Weller and Caleb Crestani were also among Gembrook’s best players.

Coller said “Spud’’ Firrito was inspirational as the Brookers charged to glory in the second half.

“I asked him at halftime, I said, ‘mate, there’s potentially two quarters left in your career, give me everything you’ve got’,” Coller said.

“And he did, he gave us everything…he was like a man possessed.”

Coller hopes Firrito would play on next season when Gembrook Cockatoo goes up to Premier division.

“I said to him after the game, ‘are you done because if you are I want to carry you off’,” Coller said.

“And he wouldn’t let me so hopefully that means he’s got another one.

“He’s still good enough to play Premier division, that’s for sure.

“As good a footballer that he is, he’s a better person. And that’s a quality he should be proud of and his family.

“The boys, they love him. Anywhere from the best player in the team to the twos boys who missed out, he’s got time for everyone and they all love him to bits.

“He’s so good for our club and sometimes it’s taken for granted on what he’s done for our playing group.”

Gembrook Cockatoo captain Colin Bastow and coach Brad Coller lift the premiership cup. Picture: Facebook

Coller said Gembrook was an emerging club with plenty of upside.

“A few people said when we lined up at the start of the game, we are a bunch of kids and that’s what we were,’’ he said.

“Apart from Spud and Liam Henzen and Damien Volta there’s only two others over 22.

“We’re just a bunch of kids and two years ago we were a bunch of kids finishing fifth in Division 2 and now we’re as young with a couple of changes to the team and now we’re winning the first division premiership. We’ve come a long way.’’

Coller said the Brookers would go to Premier division with high hopes.

“The club’s willing and prepared,’’ he said.

“I think the time is right.

“You go back three years ago and I didn’t think we were ready to go up to first division.

“I think tasting success at Div one, the time is right to go to premier.

“The whole angle will be keeping our list together and adding a couple. Because we’re so young we’re going to see improvement still.

“We’ve got the facilities now, we’d like to think we’re back on track financially…and our culture is just pumping.

“We’re going to have to really knuckle down if we’re going to compete with the likes of Woori, Narre and Wandin and club’s like that.’’