Uni Blacks defeat Collegians to claim first top-grade premiership in 40 years

UNIVERSITY Blacks are VAFA Premier champions after running away from Collegians in the third quarter of the grand final

VAFA Premier grand final Collegians v Uni Blacks. Uni Blacks 2 Harrie Lahy and Collegians 4 Nick Ries Picture: Susan Windmiller

THE weight of a 40-year Premier section flag drought was lifted from the shoulders of University Blacks at Sportscover Arena on Saturday.

Only five goals had been kicked in the first half in dreary and windy conditions and going into the sheds it was underdog Collegians ahead by just three points.

All five of the goals were kicked to the favoured Glenhuntly Road end — to which the Blacks were headed in the third quarter.

It was a stunning half-hour of football that led to the Blacks drought-breaking win, with 10 goals piled onto the scoreboard with the breeze at their backs.

First was Adam Pattison’s lead-changer three minutes in, before the margin was extended out to 11 just two minutes later.

The dour arm wrestle that stifled the first half then looked as though it would continue into the third term but the favourites decided enough was enough.

It was time to play some footy.

With subdued fans at Sportscover Arena desperately waiting for the game to break open, the Blacks began nailing the Collegians coffin shut with goals to Huw Lacey and Tyson Kruse to extend the lead out to 17 by the 11-minute mark of the quarter.

The game was then killed off in the following nine minutes of play.

The Blacks stormed clear with goals to Scott Weekley and Angus Locke before back-to-back goals from Alastair Robbins two minutes apart blew the Lions’ rapidly growing deficit out to 41 before time-on had even ticked by.

Uni Blacks’ Tom Napier. Picture: Susan Windmiller

With the result seemingly a formality, Collegians co-coach Mark Hibbins pleaded with his charges to keep the faith, saying the 55-point three-quarter time deficit could be overcome. But in the end the Blacks held firm to run away 44-point winners.

The relief of Blacks coach Cameron Roberts was evident in the aftermath.

“I don’t think the enjoyment’s sunk in yet — the overriding feeling is relief at the moment,” he said.

“I didn’t think about it during the game about the 40 years (but) I’m friends with some of those guys that played in the ’74 premiership team, so I guess in that respect I felt it.

“I just wanted our boys to do well and the by-product of that is doing well and that’s probably where the pressure came from.”

Former Saint Jason Blake finished with two goals as did Harrie Lahy and Robbins, but Blacks skipper

Bede Mahon was the star, walking away with the Jock Nelson Medal as best-on.

“Bede Mahon was exceptional today,” Robertson said.

“He’s been an outstanding captain and player all year and he’s only 25 and he could probably play at a higher grade of footy, but he just bleeds Black.

“He loves the club so much and I just think blokes like himself, Scott Weekley and Adam Pitt just played an outstanding game.”

Uni Blacks players pounce on Collegians’ Sam Hibbins. Picture: Susan Windmiller

Lions players were naturally flat during post-game presentations but Hibbins remained upbeat, not only upon reflection of the three hours just gone but of Collegians’ brave journey to the decider.

“We’d played pretty well, we were in front at half-time and things were working well but they’re third quarter with those 10 goals ... we just couldn’t answer that,” Hibbins said.

“I think we probably outplayed them for three quarters but in that third quarter they were just far too good for us.

“They took some good marks and things just didn’t go our way, and they had to go our way if we were going to win. They were just too tall for us.

“We played very well to get here and we are disappointed, but we’re still fairly proud of our season.”

Shura Taft was brave with three goals for Collegians while Courtney Hylton battled hard around the ground.

University Blacks: 2.3, 2.4, 12.9, 13.12 (90) def Collegians: 0.1, 3.1, 4.2, 7.4 (46)

Goals: University Blacks: J. Blake 2, H. Lahy 2, A. Robbins 2, A. Pattison 1, T. Kruse 1, J. Laurie 1, H. Lacey 1, T. Napier 1, A. Locke 1, S. Weekley 1

Collegians: S. Taft 3, N. Corp 2, J. Kamener 1, H. Croft 1

Best: University Blacks: B. Mahon, H. Lahy, A. Pitt, S. Weekley, A. Pattison, S. Thomas. Collegians: C. Hylton, J. Eimutis, S. Hibbins, N. Ries, T. Penberthy, C. Holst

University Blacks Premiership side: Harrie Lahy, Andrew Willingham, Huw Lacey, Simon Hogan, Jandre Slabbert, Tyson Kruse, Scott Weekley, Bede Mahon (captain), Angus Drysdale, Simon Thomas, Jesse Laurie, Peter O’Rourke, Jason Blake