Lavington captain celebrates long-awaited O&M football premiership

Despite knowing the result, Lavington captain Luke Garland still couldn’t bring himself to watch a full replay of Sunday’s Ovens and Murray grand final.

DESPITE knowing the result, Lavington captain Luke Garland still couldn’t bring himself to watch a full replay of Sunday’s Ovens and Murray grand final.

“They’ve got the game on the big screen,” Garland said from the team’s Mad Monday celebrations at their clubrooms.

“I started watching it, then I walked away because all those emotions started, the nerves, and even though you know the outcome the nerves and tension start to build up again. I actually walked away and went and had a chat with the boys who weren’t watching it.

“I might sneak back and watch the last quarter.”

The nerves are understandable for Garland, who after a series of near misses finally had a premiership medallion draped around his neck on Sunday.

He was playing in the thirds when Lavington won its last premiership in 2005 and made his senior debut the following season.

Panther pride: Lavington won the 2019 Ovens and Murray Football League premiership. Picture: Lavington Football Club

He has since endured three grand final defeats in 2008, 2015 and 2016, as well as losing three preliminary finals by less than a kick (three points in 2011, and one point in both 2013 and 2014).

“Our runner came out with about three minutes to go (on Sunday) and I think we were about 24 points up and it was in our forward line. It probably just started to creep in then that we were home … but still, those last three minutes felt like they went forever,” Garland said.

“When that siren finally went it was a massive exhilaration and a bit of relief as well that we actually did it.”

Garland, who turns 30 on Sunday and marked his 200th senior game with Lavington earlier this season, wanted to celebrate the win with the committee, especially club president Peter Barwick.

“You think it might be a massive party, but it was just good to be around the people who make a club work behind the scenes and really reward them, and I think that’s the most important thing,” he said.

“As players we’re obviously out there playing, but a footy club goes a lot deeper than the 21 on the ground.”

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