Southern league: Black Rock win Division 3 premiership

Black Rock completed a stunning final quarter comeback to claim the Division 3 Southern League flag with the game decided by several magic moments in the final minute.

Three years of blood, sweat and tears may have created the best eight minutes in Black Rock’s history.

Down by 24 points with several minutes to play in the Southern League Division 3 grand final, it appeared the Jets’ season would end in devastation.

But they produced a stunning comeback with arguably some of the best footy they’ve played under coach Ryan Handley since he was appointed before the cancelled 2020 season.

One point is all that separated Black Rock and Murrumbeena when the final siren sounded.

The Jets had won 10.6 (66) to 8.17 (65).

“I still don’t know how it happened, I’m still pinching myself,” Handley said.

“I didn’t think we were out of it, but I was thinking it’s going to be pretty hard from here when I looked at the clock.”

Black Rock completed the unlikeliest of wins. Photo: Shannon Meehan.

Reflecting on those eight minutes, there are moments which will forever live in the memory of Black Rock supporters as the club celebrated its first premiership since 2015.

No memory will be clearer than what led to the match winning goal from Byron Wright, his fourth of the day on his way to the best on ground medal.

Alan Wallace stood under a high ball and got “absolutely smashed” by his Murrumbeena opponent but quickly got to his feet and willed the ball long to half forward.

In the contest that followed, the ball came off hands with Joe Brennan smashed it forward with his lift fist for an on running Wright.

With Murrumbeena’s Jordan Cusin in hot pursuit, Wright turned onto his left and snapped truly with just 27 seconds.

“It was unbelievable that whole sequence,” Handley said.

“We’re calling Joe, Diego Maradona now for his “hand of God” moment, he’s been absolutely loving it. It was unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

Byron Wright celebrates his match winning goal. Photo: Shannon Meehan.

The moment the premiership was won. Photo: Shannon Meehan.

“Then Daniel Kick had his own Leo Barry moment at the other end. Murrumbeena got a 6-6-6 free kick at the centre bounce but Kick took an intercept mark. He’s the best intercept player I’ve played with.

“I reckon he took five or six huge contested grabs in the last quarter along. He was right up there for the medal with Byron.

“Kieran Taig and Wright both kicked goals from the boundary in the last, I could be here talking about all of the boys and something they did with the game on the line.”

Black Rock had given itself a mountain to climb in the last quarter after a “poor period” late in the third quarter according to Handley.

A run of goals to Murrumbeena came as a result of free kicks and 50m penalties.

At three-quarter-time, Handley implored his players to play for the teammate next to them.

“We’ve been pretty undisciplined at times this year and we’re continuing to learn from those mistakes,” he said.

“Sometimes the only people who can beat Black Rock are Black Rock. Full credit to the boys for turning it around.”

Murrumbeena were left to rue poor goalkicking after kicking 1.17 in the opening half where it could have put the game to bed.

Meanwhile the Jets were able to make the most of their opportunities.

Handley applauded the support Lions supporters had shown.

“They had an unbelievable following,” he said.

“I was taking the kick outs and there was some great banter over the fence. It has been one of the great things about having local footy back this year.”

There were emotional scenes at the end of the game. Photo: Shannon Meehan.

Handley said the last three years had been a tough journey for the club and they were looking forward to what lay ahead in 2023.

The Jets will be looking to avoid the same far as 2016 when they were immediately relegated following promotion to the second tier.

“There’s been a lot of change in the past few seasons,” he said.

“When I came back in 2019, the clubrooms were still the same as when my old man was president about 20 years ago. But with the funding we’ve got it’s been a fantastic step forward.

“The playing group has evolved with the club. We haven’t looked too far ahead yet but I’ve told the boys they’re good enough to play Division 2 footy.

“We’ll keep what we’ve got and hopefully add a few to help us be really competitive.”