Southern league: Cranbourne rallies around coach after tragedy

Emotional scenes followed Cranbourne’s qualifying final victory when coach Steve O’Brien thanked his players for their support as he mourned the death of a lifelong friend and ex-teammate.

Cranbourne coach Steve O’Brien speaks to his players after their qualifying final win on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Cranbourne coach Steve O’Brien fought back tears as he addressed his players after their rousing 10-point win over St Paul’s McKinnon in the Southern league Division 1 qualifying final on Saturday.

A day before, O’Brien attended the funeral of a lifelong friend and former Doveton football teammate.

“I thanked the boys…it’s been a pretty tough couple of weeks for me personally,” he said.

“We had a lifelong mate take his own life a couple of weeks ago and I just thanked the boys for bringing a little bit of joy during a tough time.”

Steve O’Brien.

O’Brien said the support he’d received from players and club people had been “enormous”.

“I’ve spoken to the boys and it’s important to reach out to each other when things aren’t going so well and that just highlighted it,’’ he said.

“And the support a few players and close people from within the club have provided me has been nothing but outstanding and it made it a bit easier.

“To be able to get the win and put a smile on my face certainly helps with the healing process.’’

Cranbourne captain Brandon Osborne was outstanding. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Cranbourne raced to a 26-point lead by half-time at Moorabbin and then had to repel a third quarter charge from St Paul’s McKinnon before triumphing 12.17 (89) to 12.7 (79).

Marc Holt booted five goals and young Tyson Barry three, while Glenn Osborne was named best afield after playing on St Paul’s McKinnon gun Nicholas Stathopoulos.

Mick Boland in the ruck was also crucial for Cranbourne.

Eagles captain Brandon Osborne kept St Paul’s McKinnon spearhead and the league’s leading goal scorer Stephen Muller goalless.

“Some of the jobs our defenders did were brilliant,” O’Brien said.

“Our captain Brandon Osborne, he’s a star, and the job he did was just incredible.”

Cranbourne champ Marc Holt with the ball. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Luke Bee-Hugo reaches for the ball. Picture: Valeriu Campan

O’Brien said it was “a game of two halves” as momentum swung.

“In the first half we probably dominated the game but missed some opportunities,” he said.

“We probably should have been further in front.

“So you’re always a little concerned that that might come back and bite you.

“After that credit to St Paul’s, they threw some changes around and they went all out attack and they started getting things going their way and as we know in footy once a side gets on a roll it can be pretty hard to stop.

“That was probably us in the first half and them in the third quarter when they really came hard at us.

“And the last quarter was a real arm wrestle.”

Cranbourne players celebrating their win. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Cranbourne progresses to the second semi-final next Saturday when it will face minor premiers Cheltenham.

St Paul’s McKinnon will look to bounce back in the first semi-final.