Match Reports 1sts - GF - Back to back, what a win!!! 2nds - Semi - Proud season comes to an end U19s - GF- What a game - Premiers at last! Premier 3rds - GF - Slow start costly Wesley XVIII - Boys on board with finals campaign

Grand Final U19s Vs Mazenod

COLLEGIANS 13.16.94 defeated Mazenod 13.10.88

Better players: Absolutely the whole team.

Goals: not quite sure but Apted 2, Varigos 2, Blackney 2, Madeira 1, Pocknee 3, Fahie1, Cattell 1 (I think)

No doubt at all the best game I have been involved with as a coach. If you weren't there you won't quite understand the drama that unfolded.
We had two teams that, as predicted, are very even with differing strengths but both loaded with talent. Both had real desire for the contest and both had great character.

What went on for nearly 3 hours after the bounce was magnificent to watch and so say the hundreds that turned up to watch.
Short and reasonably wide ground in ordinary condition. Sun out and warm and some really toey young men ready to go.

We had had a win, a draw and a loss between the two sides this year so that set the tone. Hibbo out injured, Tim Mac in Hawaii, Elliott's shoulder problem and Dockers with two fractures in his hand and wearing a glove to keep it together. Certainly not ideal for a grand final.

The first quarter was a beauty with both sides deciding that going the ball was the idea. This set the scene for a spite free but physical contest. The arm wrestle took place with neither side being able to break the other but finally after 15 minutes we kicked the first to get it going. Mazenod then struck back with the next couple and kicked 2 in front only to have us come back late to be level at quarter time.
We were having problems already with our conversion rate as we were finding it difficult without Hibbo. We were working hard for our goals and Mazenod seemed to kick them with reasonable ease. They were getting good numbers back and ran the ball and hit targets. Our work rate was really high.

In the second it was tit for tat with just a real hard battle going on. Defenses were on top and it was really tough around the ball. Our defense has been fantastic all year and they were just as good today really stifling their forwards.
Cattell was having a blinder on the wing and Toby, Hunter, Lindsay and Stevie were terrific in the clinches. Half time and we were up by three points at 4 - 10 to 4 - 7.

The boys were told to stick to the game plan and kick to the right spots. Wayne stepped in and uttered some phrases to the boys that would have been interesting but he seemed to utter the words in some foreign language but the boys got the gist and out they went.
In the third it appeared that they were starting to tire and slowly we got in the ascendency. We kicked three clear thanks to Pockers, who had been good all day, Timmy P, Timmy V and Blackers and with 6 minutes left in the quarter we looked as if we were away but back came Mazenod, kicked a goal and attacked incessantly until the bell. We new they would keep coming.
Some thought it was over but not the coaches. A few moves were made to try to get on the front foot but to no avail.

Mazenod were up and about and did they come at us. Ten minutes in and tey have hit the front . Four more minutes and they are seven points up. The pres goes the early crow. We are gone. The coaches know we are made of sterner stuff and so it proves.

We hit back with two goals to retake the lead as we think the siren is nigh.
Mazenod then hit back to take the lead with goals and this time we think it might be over but then we hit back to take the lead and 32 gone we think we have it but then Mazenod square it up with a goal at the 34 minute mark and we are thinking 5 minutes each way but then Toby grabs it at the ball up and snaps it long and blind into the 40 for Blackers to grab a diving chest mark
35 minutes gone and as he stands up the siren goes. Blackers 40 out on a 45 degree angle. He just has to score. Bang he goes and through it goes and the big crowd (mainly Collegians) erupts.

Jubilant scenes as the crowd swarms onto the arena. This game is one of the greats and all that were there will remember it for a long time. Hard to believe that the final game can be this good. What a team and what a great bunch of blokes. All of them Collegians through and through.

Well done to the boys on a wonderful season. We have had a ball. Thanks to everyone that turned up to watch and especially the seconds that having lost the prelim must have been gutted but still came to support. Thanks to the club for all the support you have given this team. The boys have loved their ride.

Thanks to Pete (push up) and Mark for all the fun on the sideline and great advise. Thanks to Greg Varigos for his superb running efforts this season. You have been terrific to work with. Thanks to all the trainers who have all been terrific with the boys in particular Laura who has been there many weeks and does such a good job and thanks to Seb Evans for all the great work on the board in the finals. Great advise. Thanks also to Arnie and Hibbo. Many coaches would push the 19's off the oval for training but they are happy to have us there and are also very supportive of under 19's when looking to push them up for a game.

I have enjoyed it enormously and I am proud to have coached a great bunch of guys.
 
Ferg