Southern league 2019: Doveton Eagles overwhelm Springvale Districts in Division 2 grand final
Russell Robertson, Corrie Wilson, Corey Wilson, Ryan Hendy and Steve Ognjenovic retire on a premiership high as the Eagles reach Division 1 for the first time.
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“It doesn’t get any better than this,” veteran Russell Robertson declared after Doveton Eagles overwhelmed Springvale Districts by 67 points to win the SFNL Division 2 premiership at Cheltenham’s Jack Barker Oval on Saturday.
The Eagles’ triumph had a fairytale element to it in so many ways.
They had come from fourth place to capture the premiership they missed out on 12 months earlier.
And it provided a fitting farewell to five of their veterans who were playing their last game — Robertson, Corrie Wilson, Corey Wilson, Ryan Hendy and Steve Ognjenovic.
For Robertson, only a few weeks off 41, it was the ideal finish to a glittering career highlighted by a Melbourne best and fairest.
“We took on some really good sides and were the underdogs every time. That’s probably the best thing about it. What a way to finish,’’ he said.
For many at the club, this victory meant a lot.
“It’s absolutely huge,” said Eagles president Shane McGrath.
“Five or six years ago this club was on its knees. We had been kicked out of the league and we had to start again in Division 3 and rebuild.
“We’ve rebuilt our brand and we now go up to Division 1 (for the first time) to represent our suburb at that level. I couldn’t be more proud.”
For Corrie Wilson, it was the sweetest possible way to end his long playing career with the Eagles.
“We weren’t rated by many, who said it was a three-horse race, so to come from fourth and win it is pretty special,’’ he said.
The Eagles looked pretty special from the opening bounce, with their first goal coming within a minute.
They would do the same thing in the second and final quarters and although the margin was never completely out of reach for the Demons, at least until the final term, the tight-knit unit from Power Road never wavered.
“We placed a big emphasis on getting a good start,” Eagles coach Clint Wilson said.
“Springy is a really well-coached and well-structured side, so it was important for us to get away to a good start. We knew they had only played one game in four weeks and we remembered how that affected us last year.’’
When Jarrod O’Neill steered through their fourth goal of the opening term after taking a screamer, the Eagles went into the first huddle 26 points up, with the Demons still goalless.
Two early Eagles goals in the second term stretched the margin to 38 points and the floodgates beckoned.
However, the strong hands of young Matt Wettering provided some hope for Districts supporters and his three goals in 10 minutes reduced the deficit to 19 points.
Only minutes later Wettering missed possibly his easiest shot of the day but at least his team was back in the contest, only three straight kicks down at the long break.
The Eagles were winning the ball out of the centre but still the Demons stayed in touch with a clever snap by Peter Heng.
But an immediate answer by Jye Sigersma took the margin again back to 26 points at the final change.
And then the shackles were well and truly broken. Goals to Adam Read, Enayte Samadi and Nic Beer took the game out of the Districts’ reach, before Mick Stockdale notched the Vales’ only goal for the quarter at the 10-minute mark.
But they kept coming for the rampant Eagles, with Ricky Johnson, Darryl Thomas, Robertson, Troy Hancock and Cory Wilson making it eight for the quarter to complete the rout, 16-14-110 to 5-13-43.
“To win a grand final with this bunch of blokes is fantastic,” coach Wilson said.
He paid tribute to the retiring players.
“For them to still be playing so well at that age and win a Division 2 grand final was a fitting end to their careers.”
Wilson was quick to praise his opponents. “We were in the same position last year. It is a credit to Springvale Districts to play in a grand final after coming up. They’ve done really well.”
In a team that had no passengers, skipper Michael Callinan led from the front for the winners, with Corey Wilson, Read (three goals), Nic Battle, Nic Beer and Cameron Carmody prominent all day.
Big man Carmody was the umpires’ choice for best-afield.
For the Demons, clear winners were harder to find.
“Matt Wettering gave us a chance and Brody Ledder was good across halfback,” Districts coach Kris Thompson.
“We had a few players who played their roles well and probably won their positions, but there weren’t many of them.”
Thompson tipped praise on the Eagles.
“They came at us, all guns blazing. They’re in great form and beat every other team in the finals to win it. So congratulations to them on a great effort.
“We had some opportunities to get back into the game but didn’t take them. They were easily the better team on the day.
“Their pressure on the ball carrier was really good and they didn’t allow us to get any clean footy in the first quarter.”
Despite his disappointment, Thompson was characteristically philosophical.
“We’re just going to lick our wounds and get better. The top 30 players have all re-signed for next year and I have re-signed. I’m just really proud of the club, our committee and all the players.
“We know we got the most out of our list this year with the resources we
have. The players are pretty proud guys and we’ll be back next year.”
Doveton Eagles 4.5, 6.6, 8.12, 16.14 (110)
Springvale Districts 0.3, 3.6, 4.10, 5.13 (43)
Doveton Eagles goals: A. Read 3, E. Samadi 2, D. Thomas 2, T. Hancock 2, M. Callinan, N. Beer, R. Robertson, J. Sigersma, J. O’’Neill, R. Hendy, R. Johnson
Best: C. Carmody, M. Callinan, A. Read, N. Battle, N. Beer, A. Ray
Premiership team: Adam Read, Darryl Thomas, Troy Hancock, Enayte Samadi, Nic Beer, Michael Callinan, Russell Robertson, Ricky Johnson, Jye Sigersma, Jarrod O’Neill, Ryan Hendy, Andrew Ray, Nic Battle, Cameron Carmody, Dale Jose, Matthew Beer, Matt Stuart, Corrie Wilson, Corey Wilson, Steven Ognjenovic, Simon Clarke, Mitchell Forgiarini
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