Sport
20 September, 2022
Harcourt crowned kings of the jungle
HARCOURT 9.4 (58) def CARISBROOK 7.8 (50) Harcourt are the kings of the football jungle for the first time in 15 years, with the Lions holding off a late Carisbrook charge to prevail by eight points in an epic grand final of twists and turns. The...
HARCOURT 9.4 (58) def CARISBROOK 7.8 (50)
Harcourt are the kings of the football jungle for the first time in 15 years, with the Lions holding off a late Carisbrook charge to prevail by eight points in an epic grand final of twists and turns.
The game, played on difficult conditions at Princes Park given the varying levels of rain all day, did not let up in skill level, with both teams throwing absolutely everything at the cause.
Carisbrook were able to strike the first blow of the game against a slight breeze, with Nick Wright converting from a set shot to get the Redbacks off and running.
However, the Lions were able to take control for much of the remainder of the opening quarter, and soon took ascendancy. Firstly, for the second week in succession, Darby Semmens was able to respond by kicking their first goal of the game, before co-coach Alex Code kicked a brilliant long goal from the half-forward flank. When Sam Kerr intercepted a mark across the Lions’ goals and converted, it gave Harcourt a 12-point advantage.
The Redbacks needed a response before quarter time and they were able to get it through Anthony Zelencich, reducing the margin to six points at the first change, with the Lions leading 3.1 (19) to 2.1 (13).
Much like the first quarter, it was the team kicking against the slight breeze that took advantage first, with Harcourt restoring their two-goal margin thanks to Jed Rodda, who calmly converted a set shot.
In what turned out to be a replica of the first quarter, the Redbacks would end up kicking the next three goals to take the lead themselves. Ash Munari scored their first goal of the quarter, before Zelencich’s second goal levelled the scores. When Bailey Edwards scored, Carisbrook got out to an eight-point lead.
Despite losing momentum, Harcourt were able to respond when they needed it most, with Kristian Bruce kicking a great snap goal from close range to bring the Lions back into the game. They had the chance to take the lead going into half time, but Rodda missed a set shot on the siren to leave the Lions trailing by one point, 5.2 (32) to 5.3 (33).
With the game on the line, it was the Lions who responded best in the third quarter, kicking three goals while rendering the Redbacks scoreless. Rodda again kicked the first goal of the third quarter, before Code’s second, as well as Bryce Frost, ensured that the Lions would go into three-quarter-time with an 18-point advantage, 8.3 (51) to 5.3 (33).
Carisbrook needed to throw everything at the Lions in order to keep their premiership hopes alive, but despite peppering the goals, were only able to find one goal from six shots, with Zelencich kicking his third goal of the game to reduce the margin slightly. However, a goalmouth scramble resulted in Zelencich soon kicking his fourth goal with a matter of minutes left, reducing the margin to two points.
With everything on the line, the Redbacks launched one last thrust forward, hoping to find the goal that would ultimately put them in front. But in the end, the Lions defended stoutly and were able to take the ball to their forward line.
A fortuitous mark to Kerr 30 metres out from goal meant that he had the chance to seal the Lions’ flag, and he duly converted in the last minute.
The final scoreline of 9.4 (58) to 7.8 (50) — and the aggregate total of 108 points — meant that it was the lowest-scoring grand final since 1967, when Royal Park defeated Primrose 54-43.
Brayden Frost completed the perfect season, winning the best on ground medallion to add to his Berry Powell trophy and premiership medallion. Alongside him, Thomas Walters was adjudged to be the AFL Victoria Country medal winner.
In truth, the Lions had many great contributors across the ground. Bryce Frost, Darby Semmens, Mark Noonan and Jeffrey McMurtrie were also named in Harcourt’s best.
For Carisbrook, the loss was their second loss in as many attempts by under 10 points, following their four-point defeat to Natte Bealiba in 2019. Zelencich, Zak Rinaldi, Lachlan Edwards, Jackson Bowen, Harry Butler and Bailey Edwards were all named in their best players.
