St Virgils claims first flag in 22 years with 101-point win over University
Coach Jaye Bowden leads St Virgils to first flag in 22 seasons as Saints give University a lesson at North Hobart Oval
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JAYE Bowden’s trophy cabinet is now bursting at the seams after the local football star added another premiership medal and a best-afield award to his vast collection as his eight-goal haul led St Virgils to huge grand final win over University in the Old Scholars grand final at North Hobart Oval.
It was a long time coming for the Saints but after 22 years, playing-coach Bowden, who shared the league’s best-player award this season, and his boys delivered an undefeated season topped by a premiership to St Virgils, which only a few years ago was on its knees and threatened to go into recess.
The 101-point win _ 22.17 (149) to 7.6 (48) _ included the former TSL star’s eight-goal rampage, as well as four to Brayden Webb and two to Luke Potter, Alex Blair and Zac Lucas.
The feeling on the field was electric as the premiership presentations took place and Bowden was swamped by well-wishers.
“It means everything,” Bowden said.
“This club has been through some hard times so to turn it around like we have and get the win today is the result of a massive amount of effort by a lot of people.
“It’s a credit to the guys who struck true to the club through thick and thin.
“They could have so easily walked away and gone somewhere else, but this is there reward. It’s unreal.”
St Virgils bounced out of the blocks, kicking its first goal two minutes in, off the boot of former Tasmanian and Glenorchy captain Brayden Webb.
That was followed by Geoff Douglas, consecutive majors to Bowden and another to Webb to make it 34-0 at the first break.
University’s first goal did not come until 12 minutes into the second when Declan Page kicked the Rainbows’ first, and their first score of the game, with Lachie Ayliffe adding a second three minutes later.
By half-time, the damage was 43 points but worse was to come, as a nine-goal Saints third term and five-goal fourth quarter sealed University’s fate.
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