Tigers roar to premiership triumph

FOSTER secured one of the more courageous premiership victories in the history of the MGFNL competition on the weekend, defeating the more favoured Fish Creek by 11 points. 

The Kangaroos were chasing some rare air on the weekend, searching for their third Premiership in succession.

The “threepeat” has only ever been achieved on three prior occasions in the history of the competition, by Hazelwood in 51, 52 and 53, Yinnar in 69, 70 and 71 and Newborough in 88, 89 and 90, and for just a few minutes of the league’s premier event, it looked as though Fish Creek could become the fourth.

The saying that you don’t poke the Tiger was never more appropriate; this Foster team had been hit hard by a long and demanding season, some of its best performers looking helplessly from the sideline as their teammates battled courageously to stop one of the most respected football teams in regional Australia.

Speculation was rife pre-game that talented teenager Willem Duursma might be rushed from his duties with the Gippsland Power in Melbourne to represent his hometown of Foster, a rumour that was quashed moments before the first bounce.

The game started as every Grand Final does, with intensity and purpose, physicality and enthusiasm, but against the odds the Tigers were more composed as they snatched the first three goals of the day on their way to a quarter time lead of 17 points.

While acknowledging Foster’s impressive play, Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker outlined what his side could have done better.

“We looked ok in the back half, but we needed to be more composed going into forward 50, lower the eyes and really turn it up on them; I felt they played at their maximum level, and we just needed to really spread hard from the back to set ourselves up better,” he said.

The Kangaroos finally found the goals through Jordy Shaw seven minutes into the second quarter, before that same player lashed out at his opposing defender following a missed opportunity for his second, resulting in his send off, being yellow carded.

The reigning premiers were now under pressure on the scoreboard and on the field, the frustration teetering on panic, allowing Foster’s Jake Best to get his second goal of the game as the Tigers took further advantage and a halftime lead of 26 points.

Both teams opened up the ground, allowing more opportunity in the third term, but inaccuracy was costing Fish Creek.

It wasn’t until the Kangaroos managed two goals deeper into the third quarter that you sensed the comeback was on, and so it was, the pendulum in full swing by the three-quarter time break.
Fish Creek 8.12-60 to Foster 9.4-58.

“We panicked in the third, but we needed repeat stoppage to set up behind the ball; it was time for controlled chaos in the last 25 minutes,” Foster coach Sam Davies said, observing that “We might have been out on our feet, but so were they.”

The Tiger team delivered what coach Davies wanted, plenty of stoppage, and finally a goal 10 minutes into the last quarter that gave them back the lead, courageously fending off the pressure being applied. 

After delightedly accepting the TTMI Premiership Cup along with skipper Dylan Williams, Foster’s coach reflected on what his side had achieved.

“What a day – we set ourselves really well hunting and applying elite pressure in the first half and importantly took our chances in the first half,” Davies said. 

“They came out firing in the third and played some great footy like we knew they could – credit to them for playing that way too. 

“But boy oh boy did we show something in that last quarter, couldn’t be prouder of the group and the achievement. 

“Big moments, we got it done. 

“Only one coach backed us in today from across the league and he has the medal around his neck.”

The Kangaroos had their chance, chances even, inaccuracy part of the problem, Foster the other, Fish Creek coach Walker summing up the match.

“It was a disappointing result for us, but I was really proud of the effort all day,” he said, acknowledging his side got jumped at the start and was then playing catch-up. 

“The third quarter comeback was really special to be a part of and I thought that momentum would get us through,” Walker said.

While Fish Creek was confident it would have the legs to hang on in the last quarter, the Kangaroos coach reflected that, to Foster’s credit, the Tigers found another gear.

“It was a great Grand Final and a good standard of footy, and we were beaten by the better team on the day and better team all season,” Walker said, extending his congratulations to Foster and coach Davies.

League Best and Fairest Angus Norton was awarded the AFL Victoria Best on Ground medal.

The Bill McConville medal for Best on Ground as decided by the umpires went to Josh Toner.

While Foster reached the top of the mountain, Fish Creek lost no admirers in its attempt to dethrone this tough, honest Tiger team.