Collegians back on top of VAFA mountain with record-breaking grand final win
After a decade-long wait Collegians are back on top of the VAFA mountain as Lachie Ferguson inspired a record-breaking win over St Kevin’s.
Vic Amateur
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After a decade-long wait, Collegians are back on top of the VAFA mountain.
Inspired by a Lachie Ferguson masterclass, the Lions steamrolled defending premier St Kevin’s by 85 points at Elsternwick Oval on Sunday to claim their first Premier Division premiership since 2012.
The 19.16 (130) to 6.8 (44) triumph the second-biggest winning margin in Amateur history.
Ferguson ran riot in the first half, booting four goals and setting up several more to put Collegians in control early.
The Lions star finished with five goals and was rewarded with the Jock Nelson Medal as best-on-ground.
David Mirra also had a day out, marking everything within reach, and could have had an enormous return but booted 5.5 and a couple out on the full.
After three grand final defeats and a preliminary final in the last 11 years, Collegians’ drought-breaking win is its 18th top-flight flag.
Coach Jared Rivers said his team produced its best when it mattered most.
“You work so hard for these moments, it’s been a long three years to get to this point,” he said.
“(Last year) wasn’t motivation as such but we felt like we were thereabouts, we were always confident about this year, we kept the core together and it’s been an incredible year.
“We felt like we were the best team all year, we’d shown that, and I was just hoping today we played like that and we did.
“They challenged us in the second quarter and the fight we showed and the overall intent and pressure for four quarters was the best it’s been all year and it’s great to do that in the last game.”
Collegians burst out of the blocks but initially failed to take their opportunities in front of goal, kicking 0.4.
Mirra kicked the first goal of the game 11 minutes in with an assist from Ferguson.
The Lions pounced on any St Kevin’s error and won clearances at will to flood their attacking 50m.
When Ferguson kicked back-to-back goals the margin was 37 points and SKOB hadn’t troubled the scorers.
Cameron Hodges finally found a breakthrough, dribbling through Kev’s first in the 33rd minute, but Ferguson found an instant reply just before quarter-time.
“It was a good coin toss to win, there was a bit of a breeze, it was the scoring end all day,” Rivers said.
“I think we kicked the first four points so I was a little bit concerned but the way they played, all credit to the playing group.”
With the wind at their back St Kevin’s found their offensive mojo in the second quarter, kicking the first three goals of the term to get within 19 points.
However, that man Ferguson popped up again to break the momentum.
Pat Kerr kicked arguably the goal of the day when he soccered the ball out of mid-air from a boundary throw-in and straight over the goal umpire’s hat, while teammate Sam Tucker’s effort from 45m out on the boundary was equally impressive.
The margin was 28 points at half-time.
However, it was game over by the end of the third.
Collegians piled on seven goals to nil in a decisive term.
Mirra booted three goals, Ferguson booted his fifth and Ed Greene combined to blow the game apart.
“Fergy is an amazing story, he didn’t play last year – he played in a Thirds premiership – but he wanted one last crack at it and finish with a premiership,” Rivers said.
“He played really well, kicked five and just his pressure and smarts around the contest, he was pretty special.”
In a disappointing finish, St Kevin’s were held goalless for almost the entire second half.
Shaun Kennedy finally broke the drought with just four minutes left in the match.
Along with Ferguson and Mirra, Collegians were well served by Sam Sofronidis, Ben Woodfull, Dylan Thomas Scott Beilby and skipper Sam Hibbins.
REPLAY: WATCH COLLEGIANS GRAND FINAL VICTORY HERE
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WRAP: HISTORY MADE IN GRAND FINAL EPICS
St Kevin’s, in its fifth straight top flight decider, had no answers for the Lions’ ball movement and pressure.
Hodges was named best afield in defeat, while captain Sam Critchley, Tucker (two goals) and Alastair Richards could hold their heads high.
Earlier, Old Xavierians took home the reserve grade and under-19s double.
Xavs claimed the reserves premiership with a 26-point victory over Old Scotch having already secured the 19s title in a 15-point win over St Kevin’s.
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