Southern league 2019: Keysborough comes from behind to catch Springvale Districts
A melee broke out after the final siren as emotions boiled over between neighbours Keysborough and Springvale Districts in the final round of the Southern league. But things cooled as quickly as they bubbled over.
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The stakes were high and so were emotions.
In a rousing final round, Keysborough defeated Springvale Districts, but not by the margin it needed to steal the minor premiership from the Demons.
In an absorbing match marred by an ugly melee after the final siren at Keysborough Reserve, Keysy came from behind to win by eight points.
It had to be 26 points to shift the Demons from first place on the Division 2 ladder.
It was tight at the top.
Districts, Keysborough and Murrumbeena all finished on 60 points, but Springy had the better percentage and so earned the week off.
Keysborough and Murrumbeena will play in a qualifying final as the Burra chase their first premiership since 1976.
It was the second time Keysy had defeated the Demons this year, but the ridiculous 20-goal result earlier in the season wasn’t repeated.
Adding pleasure to their victory, they could send Chris Bryan off as a winner in his last game at his home ground — the former AFL big man is retiring at the end of the season — and give Ryan “Bomber’’ Goodes a four-point gift to remember his 150th match for the club.
An emotional Bryan walked off to warm applause. Goodes walked off with a scratch or two on his face. It was a tough match, just as he likes it. Both were named in the best players.
Keysy could also claim the Shaun Oliver Memorial Shield, which was presented after a melee involving players, officials and — worst of all — spectators.
It wasn’t a good look. But there appeared to be no punches thrown; it was more pushing and shoving and a stream of hot words. Districts forward Georgie Angelopoulos described it as “a bit of huff and puff’’.
Things cooled just as quickly as they boiled over and the players came together for the presentation, shaking hands.
Coaches Matt Ferguson and Krissy Thompson and Keysy captain Michael Downie both spoke about the clubs’ respect for each other.
With star key forward Matt Wetering marking everything that came his way, Districts began well, moving out to a three-goal lead.
Keysy had most of the play in the first half of the second quarter but were unable to make it count.
Districts took their chances and their lead at half time was 11 points.
The difference was 11 points at the last change too. But statistics show Keysborough is the best final-quarter side in Division 2, and it finished over the top of the Demons, Geoff Humphreys, Tom Anderton, Goodes and young Jonathan Huntington constantly driving the hosts forward.
Class act Riet Pal, paid close attention by Springvale Districts, got involved too.
Matt Carnelley kicked two goals and fed the matchwinner to Tim Edwards, calmly collecting the ball and handpassing it over the top. Edwards streaked into an open goal for his fifth of the match. He more than answered Wetering’s four, although the Districts man could have doubled his tally with more accurate kicking.
It was an absorbing match played in perfect conditions, and featured Wetering’s powerful marking; classy goals from Edwards and Angelopoulos; the grunt of Keysy trio Goodes, Downie and Humphreys; the sparkle of the skills of Districts onballer Sam Raru and Keysy veteran Ant Brannan; and a decent grab from Demons mid-season recruit Michael Stockdale.
The former Casey and Williamstown VFL player copped a yellow card in the first quarter but he came into the game in the third term with his dash out of defence.
With his experience he’ll be a handy player for the Districts in the finals campaign.
Ferguson said it was an important day for his club.
“The Shaun Oliver memorial, last home game for ‘Bear’ (Bryan), ‘Bomber’s 150th … if you had offered me a one-point win at the start of the day I would have taken it in a heartbeat,’’ he said.
“Really proud of how the boys stuck in there. We started getting our hands on the ball more. I said to the players at three-quarter time, it’s a marathon, not a sprint, and I knew we could go the distance.’’
Ferguson said of Wetering: “His hands were amazing. He was unstoppable for a while there.’’
Asked about the melee, Ferguson said he was disappointed. “I thought the game was played hard but fair. I’m not sure how it started but it’s not something we want to see.’’
Thompson said: “It boiled over a bit. It was a bit of push and shove between the players. I think what escalated it was two guys jumping the fence. Everyone’s passionate but I think they’ll regret doing that. Let’s leave it at that.’’
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Districts have done remarkably well to finish as minor premier in their first season back in Division 2, as Thompson pointed out.
“A great season from the boys. They’ve earned a week off,’’ he said.
“After that, I know Keysy will be bloody sore next week. We’ll probably see them again in a couple of weeks.’’
He said he was unconcerned that his team had lost both matches to Keysborough this season.
“The first time they beat us was definitely a concern!’’ he said.
“But today we were in a winning position, we had chances to kick away, but to Keysy’s credit they didn’t go away and ended up rolling us.’’
Keysborough wingman Anderton and Districts defender Nathan Brown received the Shaun Oliver memorial medals as best players.
Keysborough 1.3, 5.4, 8.7, 13.10 (88)
Springvale Districts 3.1, 7.3, 10.6, 12.8 (80)
Keysborough goals: T. Edwards 5, M. Carnelley 2, C. Bryan 2, G. Humphreys, R. Pal, A. McIlroy, J. Huntington
Best: A. Brannan, T. Edwards, T. Anderton, C. Bryan, R. Goodes, J. Huntington
Springvale Districts goals: M. Wetering 4, T. Wilkinson 2, G. Angelopoulos 2, J. Lim, D. Monaghan, S. Feehan, M. Josic
Best: S. Raru, N. Brown, B. Ledder, D. Morris, T. Wills, D. Wilson
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