Victorian Amateur Football Association: Old Carey edges University Blacks to earn promotion to the top flight

Old Carey will return to the Premier ranks next season after winning a titanic battle against University Blacks in the Premier B preliminary Final at Elsternwick Park on Saturday.

Old Carey will return to the Premier ranks next season after winning a titanic battle against University Blacks in the Premier B preliminary Final at Elsternwick Park on Saturday.

In a tight final term that saw both teams kick four goals, it was a war of attrition before Old Carey stood tall at the final siren, 12.13 (85) to 11.15 (81).

Down by a point at three-quarter time in a contest that ebbed and flowed all afternoon, it came down to a last-minute goal by the Panthers to earn them the win and another crack at St Bernard’s in the grand final.

MEDAL FOR ST BERNARDS STAR

VFL’S TOP PROSPECTS

Old Carey coach Michael Tarrant . Picture: David Crosling

“Both sides deserved to win and we were just lucky that we had the last set shot on goal,” an emotional Panthers coach Michael Tarrant said after the game.

“With less than one minute to play we got a shot on goal and put it through. It was an amazing game, hard, fast and it definitely would have been worth the gate entry to watch it.

“It was a game of momentum, we had patches of play that we dominated and then they got control of the game and did the same. It was hard tough footy and I am really glad we got over the line.

“I am incredibly proud of our players and the resilience that was shown was remarkable.

“We are a young side and not the strongest in the midfield but we showed some real toughness to continue to fight it out and in the end we got the result we wanted.”

Best for Old Carey included full forward Morgan Evans, who bagged four goals, ruckman Ben Coull and Lucas Forato.

Ben Coull (front) will do battle with St Bernards in the grand final Picture: David Crosling

After winning just six games in Premier B last year, the 2018 season has seen a remarkable turnaround from a side not expected to play a part in finals, let alone book a spot in Premier football next season.

While Tarrant said promotion was great for the club he quickly turned his attention to next week’s assignment against the Snowdogs.

“Getting promoted is great and it was emotional after the game but the season isn’t over yet, we still have a job to do,” he said.

“The issue with VAFA football is that you get rewarded for coming second, it’s no good coming second, we want to do better than that and as a coach I need to refocus the team and look to next week.”

Old Carey 5.3 5.6 8.7 12.13 (85)

University Blacks 1.2 6.6 7.14 11.15 (81)

OLD CAREY Goal Kickers: M. Evans 4, L. Mackie 3, J. Gaff, J. Ashby, C. Wallace, J. Ceppi, M. Lock Best Players: M. Evans, J. Ashby, B. Coull, L. Forato, J. Gaff, H. Schade

UNIVERSITY BLACKS Goal Kickers: L. Huntington 3, J. Vrodos 2, J. Quaile 2, L. Knight, L. Sevior, A. Locke, L. Dornauf Best Players: C. Moorfield, J. Steadman, C. Turner, J. Carlson, J. Quaile, J. Beasley

Old Carey’s Morgan Evans Picture: David Crosling

SEASON OVER FOR OLD TRINITY

Old Trinity bowed out of the Premier finals race after a hefty defeat at the hands of St Kevin’s in the preliminary final at Elsternwick Park on Sunday.

SKOBs won 19.12 (126) to 9.9 (63) to earn another crack at Collegians in this weekend’s grand final.

Sam Joyce, Thomas Mason and Alex Polidoros kicked two-apiece for Old Trinity while veteran Brendan Iezzi, Jack Hunt and Harry Thompson were gallant in defeat

St Kevins 8.4 11.5 16.9 19.12 (126)

Old Trinity 4.0 6.2 8.5 9.9 (63)

ST KEVINS Goal Kickers: M. Brown 4, B. Kanakis 3, N. Wood 2, L. Sullivan 2, N. Reeves 2, J. Corboy, C. Matheson, S. Kennedy, S. Barnett, H. Lagastes, J. Strauss Best Players: M. Brown, L. Sullivan, N. Wood, C. Hodges, A. Lynch, E. Phillips

OLD TRINITY GRAMMARIANS Goal Kickers: S. Joyce 2, A. Polidoros 2, T. Mason 2, A. Larkey, E. Weatherson, A. Kyriacopoulos Best Players: B. Iezzi, J. Hunt, H. Thompson, S. Joyce, E. Weatherson, L. Whelan