GDFL Grand Final 2023: Inverleigh defeats Thomson by 63-points to snap 31-year premiership drought
Inverleigh broke its premiership drought in convincing fashion as Thomson was unable to respond where it counted. Here's how the Hawks did it.
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Thomson players were quick to remonstrate after a brutal bump from Inverleigh’s Ryan Robertson on Jahd Anderson in the opening seconds.
As Anderson lay motionless on the turf with trainers around him, Tigers rightly responded to Robertson and Hawks players as they defended one of their biggest stars being wiped out for the match.
But their response in the contest that mattered was lacking.
You would have thought it was Inverleigh who had a player crunched with an unruly bump, such was their defensive pressure and thirst for the footy at the contest.
The Hawks dominated the first half, kicking the first five goals as Dalton Grundell was pivotal up forward, booting three goals and setting up another before Thomson had kicked one themselves.
A goal to Zac Plant threatened to breathe some life into the Tigers, but it was short-lived.
Donohue, who had started at halfback, responded with a quickfire double blow, strolling into a goal from 40m and then taking a contested mark in the square to put through another.
A dribble goal from Casey Meehan was the nail in the coffin, extending their lead to 39-points as it was game over at halftime.
After grand final pain last year and 31 long years, the wait was finally over.
Inverleigh had notched a well-deserved premiership to the tune of 63-points in a historic day for the club.
HAWKS HUNGER
A desperate tackle from Donohue on the wing typified the Hawks’ hunger that they showed from the very first bounce.
Every contest was if their lives depended on it, and it is no wonder they gave 110 per cent at every contest after the previous pain they had endured.
Jarrod Love led the way in this area with his immense impact on the inside on the way to a best-on-ground medal.
On the other side of the ledger, Thomson looked rushed when they moved the ball forward due to the Hawks’ pressure, allowing allowed them to strangle the Tigers’ dangerous forward line who got no easy looks.
PARTY TIME
It became abundantly clear as the second half rolled on that Inverleigh had it in the bag – and didn’t the Hawks enjoy it late.
James Hussey kicked a stunner from long range and Donohue soon followed it up with his third goal as the Hawks booted four-goals to nothing in the last.
After that Donohue goal, the Hawks champion came to the bench and the Inverleigh faithful erupted.
The roars only grew louder as Donohue gave coach Chris Moore, who had stepped in to replace Donohue after round nine, a big hug on the sidelines.
“Buck and I have been really close for three years, it is his hard work that set it up,” Moore said.
“It was him that wanted the change and we did that 12 rounds ago now, so it was just great to have that moment together.
“And also for him to be able to be recognised and for the crowd to give him a good reception.”
BATTEN’S VOTES
3. J.Love (Inverleigh)
2. A.Donohue (Inverleigh)
1. D.Grundell (Inverleigh)
Originally published as GDFL Grand Final 2023: Inverleigh defeats Thomson by 63-points to snap 31-year premiership drought
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