Overtime thriller: Berwick Springs advances to grand final but Daniel Ousley injured

Berwick Springs’ greatest moment in its brief history was tinged with sadness when a heart-and-soul player suffered an injury, meaning he’ll miss the flag decider.

Berwick player Daniel Ousley was injured late in the second semi-final. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Sometimes footy is just cruel.

League best and fairest winner and Berwick Springs heart and soul Daniel Ousley will miss the grand final after suffering a dislocated knee late in Sunday’s gripping overtime win over Emerald in the Outer East league Division 1 second semi-final at Woori Yallock.

Ousley was reportedly in tears in the rooms after being stretchered off late in the dying moments of the game.

Berwick Springs won 19.11 (125) to 14.22 (106) — after six minutes of overtime — to advance to the grand final on Sunday, September 18.

Titans coach Rodney Benstead said Ousley would be in a knee brace for “four to six weeks’’ and unfortunately would miss out on the chance to play in a historic premiership.

“He held the club together when we weren’t going too well,’’ Benstead said.

“Last year he won the league best and fairest and this year he was really starting to hit his straps.

“It will be a big loss but I think it gives extra incentive for the boys to play for him because he’s a fantastic person, probably the most well-liked person at our club.”

In a seesawing thriller, Benstead admitted he celebrated too early when his side got two goals ahead with minutes to go.

A gallant Emerald answered to knot the scores at 106, forcing the second semi-final into overtime.

“I probably went the early celebration,’’ Benstead said.

“And then they went bang, bang. I thought geez I might have made a goose of myself.”

Titans vice-captain Jayden Malek.

Ty Ellison (left) slotted three goals.

Two three-minute halves were played in overtime, with Berwick Springs finishing full of run to punch its first grand final ticket in its third season as a senior club.

Corey Green finished with four goals — all clutch — while Ty Ellison and Tom Nelson slotted three apiece.

Chris Johnson, vice-captain Jayden Malek, Aidan Nelson, Dysan Morris and Hayden Stagg were also among the Titans best.

Berwick Springs’ reserves also won in overtime, beating Seville by a goal in the first semi-final, making it a thrilling and heart-stopping day of local footy.

“It was a really emotional day,” Benstead said.

“Johnston was fantastic, he’s been carrying a few injuries. I said before the game, ‘you’re just a warrior and we get on your back’. And in the last 10 minutes…his leadership shone.

“I just think we’ve got really strong leaders and when you’ve got strong leaders it always gives you opportunities.

“I said to Staggy, ‘you’ve been the best player in the competition this year’. He had another fantastic day.’’

Berwick Springs coach Rodney Benstead. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Benstead, a former North Melbourne Under 19s and Coburg VFA player, said the Titans would enjoy the lead up to the grand final.

“What a great opportunity we’ve got,” he said.

“It’s exciting so let’s enjoy it.

“I think things have changed a bit over time, you’ve got to enjoy it…look at the weather, look at the grounds, you work really hard...you feel really good because you’ve got an opportunity.

“Yesterday was about passion.’’

Benstead has done a brilliant job leading the fledgling Titans, building gradually over the past three years.

Handed “a blank canvas’’ in 2019, he instilled a strong culture from the start and now the Titans are flourishing.

”We are going to put it all out there,’’ he said.

“It’s local footy, it’s theatre, you have to be authentically yourself, that’s what we encourage at our club now. It’s such a good story.”

In the first semi-final, Healesville edged Seville by two points, 11.7 (73) to 10.11 (71) to advance to the preliminary final against Emerald.

Healesville captain Nick Mende capped a best on ground display with a goal while Liam Daly, Shaun Donkin, Jesse Bates, Charlie Warren and Connor Ballingall were influential.