Inverleigh reserves coach Ben Webb guides Hawks to premiership glory in his final game in charge

Some tough selection decisions during the season have paid off for Inverleigh’s reserves, winning its first flag since 1974 to send off its coach in grand style.

It was a case of third time lucky for Inverleigh and their proud, outgoing coach as the Hawks claimed the GDFL reserves premiership by eight points over East Geelong.

And it was the ultimate drought-breaker, too, with the club’s last reserves flag coming way back in 1974, as the Hawks got home 7.9 (51) to 6.7 (43) at St Albans Reserve on Saturday.

It will be a hot old time on Railway St with the seniors also ending a 31-year premiership drought after demolishing Thomson by 63 points.

Hawks reserves coach Ben Webb said it was the ultimate exclamation point on his four-year tenure after informing the club mid-season that 2023 would be his final campaign in the hot seat.

Inverleigh coach Ben Webb and captain Adam Muir with the GDFL reserves cup. Picture: Ben Cameron

“It’s a bit surreal,” Webb said moments after the siren.

“This is my last year of coaching … I let the club know halfway through (the season).

“I’ve started my own company, it’s that time commitment that gets every coach in the end.”

After the 2020 season was completely rubbed out by the pandemic, the club’s twos slowly built over the past three campaigns.

Finishing the 2021 home and away season on top – but finals canned due to Covid – the Hawks were then thumped by the Eagles in last year’s decider by 39 points.

Inverleigh’s first premiership of two on Saturday at St Albans Reserve.

That arduous journey made Saturday’s victory all the more sweeter for Webb.

“We’ve been around the mark the whole time I’ve coached here,” he said.

“East Geelong taught us a lesson in last year’s grand final.

“They were the best team in it all year … their mix was spot on.”

Inverleigh players celebrate Jye McEwin being named best on ground against East Geelong. Picture: Ben Cameron

He said some tough decision were made at the selection table this season — opting for younger players who continued to perform.

“We had a lot of talent but a lot of ageing talent,” he said.

“We’ve just had good young kids come from nowhere, they just go out and play footy and they’ve held their spot.

“It’s been really tough, there’s been blokes that have been at the club their whole lives who actually missed out on a game.

“But I made the decision I was going to reward the blokes playing well.”

It would be the third and final victory over the Eagles for the season, after wins in Round 10 and a semi-final a fortnight ago.

Originally published as Inverleigh reserves coach Ben Webb guides Hawks to premiership glory in his final game in charge