VAFA Division 1: PEGS defeated St Marys Salesian 15.14 (104) to 14.7 (91) in grand final
St Mary’s Salesian lost the Division 1 grand final after PEGS came from eight goals down to win by 13 points at Box Hill City Oval
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St Mary’s Salesian lost the Division 1 grand final after PEGS came from eight goals down to win by 13 points at Box Hill City Oval on Saturday.
The Saints banged on eight unanswered goals with a strong breeze in the opening term, including four from returning forward Luke Dykes, to be 49 points up at quarter time.
PEGS pared back the margin to 35 points after scoring five goals to one in the second term, including two majors from Tom Black late in the quarter.
The Bombers also dominated the third term with seven goals to three, forwards Trent Skurrie and Adrian Romanyk maintaining momentum by scoring two goals each at pivotal times.
Two goals from ace spearhead Manny Dolan gave the Saints a buffer of 11 points at final change.
Scores were level early in the final quarter before PEGS hit the front at the 17-minute mark. The margin was then out to seven points after a goal from Hugh Schiavello from the top of the 50m arc. Both backlines stood firm under intense pressure for the next 10 minutes but the Bombers broke the deadlock when on-baller Brad Jones kicked a sealer with a hurried snap from 30m and PEGS saluted 15.14 (104) to 14.7 (91).
Dolan and Dykes topscored with four goals each for the Saints, while Dan Ryan kicked two. Tim Dudgeon, Juan Perriam and Charlie Angley were named the Saints’ best three.
Both clubs win promotion to Premier C next season, a first for the Saints.
Saint Mary’s coach Erwin Leydon said it was “quite shattering” to lose the grand final after leading by eight goals.
He said the Saints midfielders and on-ballers struggled in the second half as Baddeley exerted his influence at the stoppages.
“Their big-bodied mids just cleared it and cleared it,” he said.
“We tried to get some match-ups that might work but our rucks were ineffectual and our mids struggled to get it going the other way.
“It’s very disappointing and embarrassing to cock-up a lead like that, but full credit to PEGS they just pegged us back, pardon the pun.”