Top of the table Cheltenham have booked their place in this year's Grand Final after defeating the Cranbourne Eagles by 14 points in an intriguing game.
A spot in this year's Grand Final was on the line in this meeting with both sides showing their intent to win early and both teams bringing a high level of intensity leading to just a one goal each first term reflecting the competitiveness between the two sides.
The Rosella’s then delivered a brilliant second term which saw them boot 6 goals to 2 and hand them a healthy 5 goal lead at the main break. Then in the third term the Eagles returned serve with a fantastic 7 goal to 2 term to trim the margin back to a single point at the last break and set up a thrilling last quarter.
In a highly entertaining last quarter the Rosellas class shone through bouncing back to kick 5 last quarter goals with the Eagles managing 3 themselves but it was the Rosellas who were able to get back on top in the last term and claim victory by 14 points.
Jack Worrell starred up forward with 4 majors whilst there were a number of other standouts for Cheltenham with Austin Johnson (3 goals), Jack Davis and Oliver Moran being vital in victory. Marc Holt was excellent in defeat booting 6 goals on the day, keeping his side in the contest.
The Rosella’s have now advanced to the Grand Final whilst for the Eagles they will now face the red hot St Kilda City for a place in the Grand Final.
St Kilda City have continued their charge for an unlikely premiership this time defeating St Paul’s McKinnon by 3 points in a belter of a contest.
The Saints have been one of the form team of the competition over the last couple of months and were certainly full of confidence heading into this clash against a Doggies outfit that had come off a tight loss against the Cranbourne Eagles.
St Kilda City raced out of the blocks early recording a 5 goal to 2 first term but then the script was flipped in the second term with the Doggies kicking 4 goals to none to head into half time with a 9 point lead.
The third term then produced another brilliant quarter of footy from both sides with the Doggies booting 4 goals to the Saints’ 3 goals in a free flowing term of footy, which gave the Doggies a 14 point lead at the final change. The Saints then delivered a remarkable last quarter of footy where they dominated kicking 4 goals to 1 to get them over the line, lead by Luke Potts who was everywhere, getting up by 3 points in an instant classic and leaving the Doggies heartbroken. They will rue hitting the post 6 times throughout the match
Aaron Edwards once again showed his talent booting 3 goals on the day, Judd Rowell also booted 2 whilst the returning Brendan Fevola kicked 2 in a big boost for a side pushing hard for a premiership. Dane Swan got injured early and it will be interesting to see if he can get up for next week
Following another heartbreaking loss it is season over now for St Paul’s whilst City will face off against the Cranbourne Eagles for a place in the Grand Final.
Division 2 Preliminary Final:
With a spot in the Grand Final on the line it was Chelsea Heights who produced a devastating performance to comfortably beat the Caulfield Bears by 59 points.
Chelsea Heights were certainly tipped to win this game without too many troubles but Caulfield were up for the challenge. Chelsea Heights were coming off a shock loss and a thumping at the hands of Doveton Doves whilst the Bears were coming off an upset win. But ultimately the top team of 2022 H&A season came away with the win.
The first term produced a thoroughly even contest with both sides bringing the heat which led to a high pressure and low scoring first term with the two sides kicking just 3 goals between them with the Bears having the better of chances in front of goals but were unable to convert.
Chelsea Heights then produced a scintillating second term kicking 8 goals to nothing in a dominant and efficient quarter of footy which gave them a 52 point lead at half time and ultimately setting up a win. The second half then once again produced an even contest with Chelsea Heights kicking 6 second half goals to the Bear’s 5 reflecting how crucial that second quarter blitz was from Chelsea Heights.
Luke Tapscott produced a best on ground performance booting 4 goals whilst also collecting plenty of disposals with Bradley Gilder also starring with 3 goals up forward. Cameron Gates also produced a standout performance in what was otherwise a brilliant team display from Chelsea Heights.
For Caulfield it is now season over whilst for Chelsea Heights they will now meet the Doveton Doves in this week’s Grand Final for a chance to claim the premiership and will need to improve on their performance they produced last time out against the Doves, but they certainly will have gained confidence back after an impressive preliminary final win.
In an absolutely thrilling Grand Final between Murrumbeena and Black Rock, Black Rock were crowned premiers in season 2022 after recording a 1 point victory in the game of the season in the biggest game of the season.
The Grand Final matchup was always a mouthwatering prospect with clearly the two best teams of the competition all year facing off in the decider. The two sides met just the two weeks prior, with the Beena coming away with a 17 point victory.
Black Rock started the game very well and hitting the scoreboard to hold a lead at the first change, but it could have been a much different story with Murrumbeena kicking a wayward 0.8 in the first term in a missed opportunity to take a healthy lead into quarter time but were unable to capitalize on their scoring chances.
In the second term Black Rock continued their efficient and effective footy kicking a further 2 goals to the Beena’s 1 to hold a 11 point lead at the main break. Then the Beena produced a brilliant performance in the third term to turn the game on its head. They kicked 5 goals to 1 in a brilliant quarter and stole the lead, to head into the final break leading by 11 points.
The best was then saved to last, with arguably the best and most entertaining quarter of footy we have seen all year being played out in the final quarter of the last game of the season. There were 8 goals kicked between the two sides in a thrilling high scoring and high octane term of footy.
But it was Black Rock, who stole the show booting 5 goals to 3 in the last term to get over the line by a single point to claim honors as the premiers in what was a simply stunning last quarter and game of footy.
Byron Wright produced a stellar performance booting 4 goals and being named best afield in an impressive display whilst the likes of Daniel Kick and Kieran Taig also produced brilliant performances to help Black Rock claim the 2022 premiership.
The 2022 division 4 Grand Final produced a fantastic contest between two quality sides in the Frankston Dolphins and Lyndhurst, with a major upset being produced on the biggest stage of the year.
The Frankston Dolphins headed into this game heavy favorites after completing the home and away season undefeated and sitting comfortably on top of the ladder. Having comfortably defeated the Lightning in two home and away games this year and then defeating them just two weeks ago in the Qualifying Final by 20 points it was the Dolphins premiership to lose.
The game was a tight contest right from the opening bounce right through until the final siren. Lyndhurst showcased their potential to cause an upset from the outset, bringing extreme pressure and being brave with ball in hand.
This positive style of play from the lightning led to them leading by 3 points at the first change however the Dolphins were also playing some good footy and looking very dangerous, which they then turned into scoreboard pressure in the second term to go into halftime 3 points ahead.
The third term was once again an extremely even contest with both sides kicking the two majors each and neither side being able to open up any sort of lead, this led to the margin being just the 1 point to the way of the Dolphins at the final change and setting up a thrilling last quarter of footy.
In a high pressure and high intensity term of footy between two sides hungry for the premiership, there was just the one goal kicked in the last term going the way of the Lightning which was enough to crown them as premiers coming away with an 8 point victory.
Charlie Gardiner and Hamish Browning played pivotal roles up forward with the pair both kicking 2 goals each in an otherwise brilliant team performance from the Lightning. Congratulations to the Lyndhurst Football Club, your premiers in season 2022, their first ever premiership.
