Holt’s bag of eight halts Narre’s bid for flag and sends Cranbourne into grand final
CHAMPION forward Marc Holt slots eight goals as Cranbourne comes from behind to nose out Narre warren by five points in a classic preliminary final
South East
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It was the greatest comeback since Lazarus.
Cranbourne came from 25 points down in the last quarter to defeat Narre Warren in the Casey Cardinia preliminary final at Holm Park, Beaconsfield on Saturday and earn the right to take on Beaconsfield in the grand final.
Behind all day, it was a case of where Eagles dare in the last quarter as they survived five lead changes in an nerve-jangling finish to win 16.5 (101) to 14.12 (96).
The teams went goal for goal in a last-quarter shoot out but it took a controversial umpiring decision in the dying minutes to break the deadlock.
With his team trailing by a point, Cranbourne’s Troy Tharle kicked the winning goal after Narre Warren’s Justin Marriott was given a 50m penalty for running over the mark.
There was further drama after the siren when it was alleged that the young daughter of Narre Warren’s team manager was struck on the head by a beer can thrown from the balcony as the teams were walking off the ground.
It’s believed the person responsible wasn’t connected with either of the competing clubs.
Narre coach Chris Toner, who stepped down from his position after the match, said the incident marred what was a showcase game for the league.
“We got disrespected pretty badly last week, it was worse this week. Here you had someone hurling abuse at our people and a 13-year-old girl cops a can on the head,’’ he said.
Toner said he was satisfied with the action taken by Beaconsfield against the person believed responsible.
Saturday’s game was a memorable preliminary final and could just as well have been rated as one of the league’s greatest grand finals if played this week.
Cranbourne coach Scott Sutherland went a step further, saying it was one of the “greatest wins” he had been involved with.
“It was all about grit and determination. As soon as we started doing the team orientated things it all changed,’’ he said. “To fight back the way did was just outstanding.”
Narre stunned the Eagles with a six-goals-to-one first quarter, exploiting their lack of accountability.
When the Magpies took a 25-point lead into the final term, Sutherland implored his players to dig deep.
“I told them that they had to believe in themselves, and that if they wanted it and desired it enough, then they could run over them and they did. What a fantastic comeback it was.”
Sutherland lauded the performance of his skipper Marc Holt, who brought up his 100th goal of the season with the seventh of his eight goals for the match.
“Marc was at his very best. He wanted it, he was hungry for it, and he was taking big pack marks and it lifted everyone with him. He was outstanding.”
Sutherland admitted the Marriott decision was a “telling factor” as it turned a longshot chance at a goal into a certainty from the goal line. He said the correct decision was made.
But Toner had other ideas.
“The (Cranbourne) bloke is 60 metres and there’s 15 seconds on the clock. He’s not going to kick the goal and we win the game.
“Holty is an amazing player and we just couldn’t stop him. He’s a daunting prospect in that sort of form. We were beaten on the last kick and people make their own decisions as to why, but Cranny was really good and deserved to win in the end.”
The Narre coach said he would be stepping down from the job.
“I’ve been coaching for 10 years and been involved in six grand finals in a row. I’ve had a good run.
“I told the club on Saturday that I won’t be going again. I don’t want to cheat the players. If I can’t give 110 per cent then I’m doing them a disservice and there’s no way I’m going to do that.”
Toner said he was confident the players would stick together despite efforts to break up the dual premiership-winning squad.
“A lot in the competition would like to see them fracture and go their separate ways. Individually they can do what they want and there wouldn’t be a shortage of clubs clambering for their services but collectively, if they want to stay together, then they are at the right club.”
Toner confirmed the retirement of Steve Watson.
Holt was best-afield with his eight goals. Michael Theodoridis booted three, and Jarrod Murphy two for the Eagles.
Brandon Osborne, Curtis Barker, and Michael Boland all lifted their intensity and work rate to assist their skipper.
Kerem Baskaya booted six goals for the Magpies, Liam Myatt three, and Justin Marriott two.
Damian Collins was Narre’s best, along with Matthew Lee and Jake Richardson.
Car Megamart Casey Cardinia Seniors
Cranbourne 2.1, 4.2, 9.3, 16.5 (101)
Narre Warren 6.2, 8.6, 12.10, 14.12 (96)
GOALS, Cranbourne: M. Holt 8, M. Theodoridis 3, J. Murphy 2, A. Vella 1, T. Tharle 1, M. Gearon 1. Narre Warren: K. Baskaya 6, L. Myatt 3, J. Marriott 2, J. Parker 1, C. McNamara 1, M. Lee 1. BEST, Cranbourne: B. Osborne, C. Barker, M. Boland, M. Rus, T. Tharle, S. Morrish.
Narre Warren: D. Collins, M. Lee, K. Baskaya, J. Richardson, C. McNamara.
Car Megamart Casey Cardinia Reserves
Pakenham 1.7, 2.11, 3.13, 7.14 (56)
Berwick 0.3, 2.5, 2.8, 3.12 (30)
GOALS, Pakenham: C. Shooter 2, N. Fry 1, J. Kowarzik 1, C. Bevan 1, M. Hicks 1, A. Alberni 1. Berwick: T. Van Hout 1, T. Gillies 1, J. Phillips 1. BEST, Pakenham: A. Alberni, A. Benis, C. Cardona, J. Williams, N. Verleg, J. Kowarzik. Berwick: J. Joyce, B. Anderson, S. Barnes, T. Gillies, J. McLardy, C. Steel.
Car Megamart Casey Cardinia Under 19
Berwick 1.4, 6.6, 9.7, 12.10 (82)
Cranbourne 0.1, 1.3, 5.6, 6.8 (44)
GOALS, Berwick: H. Money 4, T. Stanton 2, N. Hillard 2, M. Graham 1, J. Goumas 1, A. Sigeti 1, A. Taylor 1. Cranbourne: Z. Roscoe 3, J. Rich 2, L. Vella 1. BEST, Berwick: R. Hillard, L. Jellyman-Turner, M. Graham, C. French, C. Zeeman, H. Money. Cranbourne: J. Twite, Z. Roscoe, A. Russo, J. Wilson, B. Leguier, J. Harrington.
Car Megamart Casey Cardinia Under 17
Narre Warren 2.4, 5.6, 7.8, 8.12 (60)
Doveton 0.2, 2.8, 4.13, 6.19 (55)
GOALS, Narre Warren: D. Kitto 3, M. Cronjaeger 2, B. Homfray 1, N. Aliotta 1, J. Creely 1. Doveton: J. Battle 1, B. Cram 1, L. Kerford 1, C. Gray 1, A. Humphries 1, D. Bowman 1. BEST, Narre Warren: M. Cronjaeger, N. Dawson, N. Aliotta, J. Brown, J. Campbell. Doveton: B. Cram, A. Humphries, M. Lewis, J. Lock, S. Muirhead, J. Battle.
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