Sea Eagles snatch the premiership win

By Aiden Box

Following two tight and fiery matchups during the season Inverloch-Kongwak battled it out with Garfield for the under 18 title. 

The Stars having the luxury of running out onto their home ground, where they became the first team to defeat IK in the home and away season. 

The opening quarter was tight and tough as each team only managed one goal, the Sea Eagles taking a slim two-point lead into the first change. 

Garfield hit the lead in the second with a major but IK’s Callan O’Flynn pushed his side back in front with one of his own, he was giving his side plenty of grunt and play in the ruck. 

Throughout the middle quarters the Sea Eagle pressure lifted, and they were able to own much of the play but just couldn’t burst the floodgates open in slippery conditions. 

Most of the play ended up being scrappy with both teams trying to just knock it forward by any way they could, stoppages became frequent. 

With IK just five-points ahead to begin the final term, the hometown Stars broke through with a major, igniting the healthy home crowd who urged them on.

However, another IK stoppage win gave Tyson Bolam room to snap through a reply and IK’s crowd were just as loud, willing their boys to close out the game. 

The pressure gauge reached an all-season high in the final moments as IK clung to a five-point lead and Garfield desperately tried to will the ball up their end. 

A behind to IK gave the Stars a late chance and they were able to work it to centre wing with less than two minutes remaining. 

But it was a clutch defensive play from IK that won them back possession and they found the chest of Hayden Lindsay, who was mown down from behind…

But the umpire had not called play on and as a result a costly 50 metre penalty was awarded to IK, much to the despair of the Stars faithful. 

As Lindsay lined up for goal with just seconds on the clock, chaos ensued, with an ill-disciplined punch igniting an all-in scuffle, Lindsay was awarded another 50.

He trotted to the vacant goal square and booted the ball over the heads of the strong IK supporter base who erupted in celebration, IK had done it, Lindsay’s goal sealing the premiership by 11-points. 

The siren sounded as the mayhem continued, jerseys ripped and upended, players getting close and personal, scrapping on the ground and the Sea Eagles faithful charged onto the field in celebration. 

Congratulations Inverloch-Kongwak, the 2022 WGFNC thirds premiers! 

Sea Eagles captain and much-loved midfielder Joe Soumilas received the best on ground nod.