VAFA 2019: Caulfield Grammarians thrash Old Scotch in Premier B grand final

Only one point split the teams in the second semi-final but a Fields team featuring former AFL star Brendon Goddard blitzed the Cardinals by 92 points in the decider.

The jubilant Caulfield Grammarians team with the premiership cup.

Caulfield Grammarians, having forged a steely resolve in the furnace of finals disappointment over recent years, showed just how strong a club it’s become with a thumping 92-point Premier B grand final victory against Old Scotch on Saturday.

Having split home and away results with Scotch and then claimed a one-point thriller of a second semi-final, no one foresaw the 17.22 (124) to 4.8 (32) rout at Elsternwick Park, least of all Fields coach Simon Williams.

“It (the margin of victory) definitely was unexpected; I didn’t see that coming,” he said.

“It was really tight up until quarter time and then probably the second quarter was our best for the game.

“We got that gap and that was the difference in the end as we were able to build on it.”

Lachlan Stephens steps forward after being judged best-afield.

Caulfield Grammarians were up by 45 points at the main break on the back of a nine-goal-to-three opening hour and would have led by even more if not for inaccuracy.

Scotch simply did not have a comeback in it following the tough semi setback and a brutal preliminary final against University Blacks.

“That was hugely significant,” Williams said of being on the right side of the knife-edge second semi-final.

“I reckon they were pretty sore (in the decider) because it was a big game the previous week (versus Uni Blacks), it was quite hot and the ground was hard.

“And we wouldn’t have had guys that got up for this grand final available last week.

“The extra week gave us the time we needed to get right physically.”

Jack Webster, a youngster who played under-19s last year, took flight on the wing for the Fields in the grand final, Lachlan Stephens kicked two goals from half forward, Jack Wallace was busy in the middle early on and a stingy backline was led by Lachie Harris and Jack Woodman.

Former AFL star Brendon Goddard figured in the Fields’ flag.

The premiership was Caulfield Grammarians’ first since winning the corresponding game in 2011 and it helped erase the pain of a straight-sets finals exit in 2016, a grand final loss in 2017 (both in Premier C) and a first semi-final ending in Premier B last year.

“This gives the guys some success,” Williams said. “Out of the team we had, not one had previously played in a senior premiership — including Brendon Goddard.

“Some of these guys, I’ve had them for four years, since they were 19-year-old kids.

“They’ve been able to get match-hardened, their bodies have got bigger and they’ve been able to stand up to senior footy for longer.

“It’s great seeing them grow, come up from C, win B and see the club go to A-Grade next year in its 100th year.

“It’s an amazing feeling and I’m obviously really proud,” he said.

“Hopefully, if we keep the core group, which is reasonably young, they can have more success in the future.”

Caulfield Grammarians 3.8, 9.13, 12.18, 17.22 (124)

Old Scotch 1.2, 3.4, 3.6, 4.8 (32)

Caulfield Grammarians goals: W. Osborn 3, L. Stephens 2, B. Goddard 2, J. Dobosz 2, N. Page 2, J. Wallace 2, W. Barker, T. Green, T. Nixon, T. Thompson

Best: J. Webster, L. Stephens, D. Reilly, J. Wallace, W. Edwards, W. Osborn

Old Scotch goals: G. van den Broek 2, T. McKinley 2

Best: C. Cormack, J. Bull, W. Mitchell, G. van den Broek, N. Jamieson, T. McKinley