A three-figure loss to Narre Warren sparked Beaconsfield’s dazzling premiership run
BEACONSFIELD streaks away from Cranbourne in the second half to win the Casey Cardinia grand final at a packed Berwick ground
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It took an incredible 10-game winning streak to break a 10-year premiership drought for Beaconsfield in the Casey Cardinia Football League grand final on Saturday.
After a dour first half that didn’t hit any great heights and produced only seven goals, Beacy switched the flick to their running game in the third quarter and slammed on six unanswered goals in front of a bumper crowd at Berwick’s Edwin Flack reserve.
Skipper Daniel Mislicki led the way with five goals and was awarded the AFL Vic Country medal for the best player on the ground in the Eagles’ 14.8 (92) to 5. 8 (38) win.
Tagged the ‘”working class’’ team of the finals by their coach Clint “Boofa’’ Evans, Beacy were all top hat and tails with an enterprising and entertaining five goals to one in the final term.
In the previous quarter they ran riot with hard running and smooth and quick ball movement that left Cranbourne floundering.
At three quarter time Evans implored his players not to “break the chain” that had got them to a potential premiership lead of 32 points.
“I told the boys not to go away from what we had been doing. Our main three things were our concentration level, care factor and pressure, and that if we kept that up and no one broke the chain, we would win,’’he said.
“Our captain was unbelievable. To hold the cup up there with one of my best mates is something I will treasure. Everyone stood up, everyone played their part.”
Evans said his side’s 10-game winning streak to win the flag was a “mighty and unforgettable effort’’.
“Looking back six or seven weeks ago, we were still fighting to stay in there and we had to beat sides underneath us to stay alive,’’ he said.
“We couldn’t afford to look too far ahead, we just had to keep on going and the confidence grew and grew. You don’t beat the four top sides on the way home with luck.”
Evans said Beacy’s desperation and pressure in the last term was typified by Cleyton Bertoncello’s chase down of Cranny full-forward Marc Holt that prevented a certain goal.
“It was a game changing moment ... it was just inspirational.”
Saturday’s euphoria was a far cry from the Eagles’ despair and frustration earlier in the year after they were humiliated by 114-point loss to Narre Warren.
It resulted in the players having a “heart to heart” that Evans said turned their season around.
“It galvanised the club and I spoke to the boys about it on Thursday night. We’ve got 42 on our list, our number one is as important as our number 42. They are all great mates and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
Cranny coach Scott Sutherland said it was a devastating loss, especially after starting so well.
“We had an outstanding first half. We were moving the ball well and doing all the right things and came in at half time pretty confident.
“And then they just stopped. We were flat footed at the contest, we didn’t run with our opponents, we were unaccountable and our forwards weren’t moving. It was like they thought they had it won.
“It was shattering to think that there was no impact after half time.”
Sutherland addressed his side’s skill errors and lack of accountability at three quarter time and urged his players on for an all-out effort in the final quarter of their season.
“You’ve got to have the belief,” he told the players. “You’ve got to go out and prove it. Make sure you run, make sure you talk to each other, shepherd, tackle, harass. It’s there if you want it, but you’ve got to want it.”
But when Beacy’s Kris Fletcher kicked a goal within 20 seconds of the bounce, it took the wind out of Cranny’s sails and the run from their legs.
Sutherland said the tough, hard-fought wins against Berwick and Narre Warren may have taken their toll.
“I think it might have been an emotional roller coaster that they (the players) couldn’t get over the top of. But they’ve got to live and learn from it.”
He said improving the players’ fitness would be the main focus during the pre-season.
“They (the players) they know the rules, if they don’t attend pre-season they won’t play in Round 1.
“We’ve got make sure the boys stay positive. They’ve been here before, they have felt the loss. Saturday was one of the worst losses we’ve had all year but we know where we can fix things.
“We will also look at recruiting some midfielders, onballers, tough-at-the-ball players for next year.”
Cranny full-forward Marc Holt, who was hampered by a calf injury, was held to two goals, as was Michael Theodoridis.
Young ruckman Michael Boland was Cranny’s best, along with Matthew Fletcher and Anthony Vella.
Mislicki, Damien Szwaja and Daniel Battaglin led the way for the premiers.
Meanwhile Narre Warren won two of its three grand finals contested on Saturday.
The Magpies took out the reserves premiership with an 83-point demolition of Pakenham, 15. 16 (106) to 3.5 (23).
In low and inaccurate first half, Narre booted 2.12 but found its range in the second, kicking 13 goals to three.
Stewart Scanlon kicked a game-high five goals and Andrew Vella three, while Ben Carter was the stand out for the Magpies.
Narre’s Under 19s made it two flags in a row proving far too strong for Berwick winning, 12.10 (82) to 3. 6 (24).
The Magpies set up the win with an eight-goals-to-three first half and followed it up with four unanswered goals in the second half.
Kurt Mutimer and Jackson Bianco each booted three goals for the premiers, while Bianco, Mutimer and Hayden Egerton were among Narre’s best.
Berwick Under 17s denied Narre a third flag after winning a low scoring affair, 4.19 (43) to 6.3 (39).
The Magpies kicked five straight goals to the Wickers 1.9 to lead by 15-points at half-time.
Berwick’s shocking inaccuracy kept the opposition in the game and could have easily put the result beyond doubt earlier had it capitalised on its 23 scoring shots to Narre’s nine.
Jonathon Bishop, Luke Nelson and Matthew McLardy were the Wickers’ best.
In the A Grade netball, Doveton denied Beaconsfield a premiership double, winning the netball grand final by seven goals, 50-43.
Car Megamart Casey Cardinia Seniors
Beaconsfield 1.3, 3.4, 9.5, 14.8 (92)
Cranbourne 2.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.8 (38)
GOALS, Beaconsfield: D. Mislicki 5, D. Szwaja 2, N. McPherson 2, T. Joyce 1, K. Fletcher 1, T. Mitchem 1, T. McDermott 1, S. Meyer 1. Cranbourne: M. Theodoridis 2, M. Holt 2, M. Gearon 1. BEST, Beaconsfield: D. Mislicki, D. Szwaja, D. Battaglin, J. Gee, B. White, S. Meyer.
Cranbourne: M. Boland, M. Fletcher, A. Vella, L. Holt, S. Morrish, B. Osborne.
Car Megamart Casey Cardinia Reserves
Narre Warren 1.4, 2.12, 7.14, 15.16 (106)
Pakenham 0.1, 0.2, 1.5, 3.5 (23)
GOALS, Narre Warren: S. Scanlon 5, A. Vella 3, A. Ray 2, S. McLean 1, N. Reid 1, M. Tonna 1, D. Scanlon 1, M. Cowan 1. Pakenham: A. Alberni 1, J. Williams 1, S. Winsall 1. BEST, Narre Warren: B. Carter, A. Ray, D. Collins, S. McLean, M. Tonna, S. Scanlon. Pakenham: S. Winsall, D. Talbot, C. Gordon, M. Fletcher, J. Hillard, C. Cardona.
Car Megamart Casey Cardinia Under 19
Narre Warren 2.3, 8.5, 10.6, 12.10 (82)
Berwick 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.6 (24)
GOALS, Narre Warren: C. MacHaya 3, K. Mutimer 3, J. Bianco 3, J. Dowling 1, S. Richards 1, H. Egerton 1. Berwick: T. Stanton 1, H. Money 1, D. McLardy 1. BEST, Narre Warren: H. Egerton, J. Bianco, K. Mutimer. Berwick: A. Jones, L. Jellyman-Turner, D. Webb.
Car Megamart Casey Cardinia Under 17
Berwick 1.7, 1.9, 2.16, 4.19 (43)
Narre Warren 2.0, 5.0, 5.3, 6.3 (39)
GOALS, Berwick: M. Sigeti 1, T. Thomas 1, J. Yeilds 1, L. Nelson 1. Narre Warren:
D. Kitto 2, H. Kraus 1, N. Aliotta 1, J. Creely 1, C. Graham 1. BEST, Berwick: J. Bishop, L. Nelson, M. McLardy, J. Trait, B. Mitchem, J. Yeilds. Narre Warren: N. Aliotta, J. Carter, J. Phillips, M. Cronjaeger, B. Wells, C. Graham.
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