Maffra defeats Leongatha to win Gippsland League premiership

THERE was only one side to get the better of Leongatha in the Gippsland League this season and it proved the minor premier’s Achilles heel in yesterday’s grand final.

We did it: Maffra players celebrate their premiership. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

THERE was only one side to get the better of Leongatha in the Gippsland League this season and it proved the minor premier’s Achilles heel in yesterday’s grand final.

Maffra has added another cup to its collection with a 13.10 (88) to 9.13 (67) win at Moe against the Parrots.

Leongatha was the side to beat all year, going undefeated except for two games — the second semi-final and yesterday’s decider, losing both to the Eagles.

The result was all the more devastating for Leongatha coach Beau Vernon and his troops as it was their second consecutive grand final appearance. They also lost last year’s flag to Traralgon.

The Eagles “poked the bear” when it defeated Leongatha in the semi-final two weeks ago and knew they had to lift again against them yesterday, according to Maffra coach Wayne Butcher.

Maffra’s win was an emotional tribute to life member and vice-president John Vardy, who passed away at the start of the month.

It was Butcher’s fourth senior premiership with Maffra, having coached the three-peat between 2002-04.

“I’m feeling on top of the world for the boys, because the boys deserve that and sometimes you don’t get what you deserve in footy,” Butcher said.

“They’ve just been chipping away the past month or so.”

Former St Kilda and Richmond ruckman Trent Knobel won the Vic Country Medal, and Mitch Bennett won the Stan Aitken Medal for best-on-ground.