ST JOHN’S Old Collegians have made the grand final in Division Two of the Victorian Amateur Football Association.
St John’s won its way through by defeating Therry Penola by eight points in the preliminary final.
Both teams were primed for a hard running day and the ball was moved up and down the ground at an electrifying pace.
Darryn O’Connor was once again resolute in defence as was Rhys Dyker with plenty of run from the backline.
Doug Carmichael provided a focal point up forward and plenty of drive was supplied out of the middle by the likes of Darryn Dick, Nathan Chalk and Kane Arnold. Therry led by two points at quarter time, but St John’s were in front by a few points at each break thereafter.
St John’s and Glen Eira – their grand final opponents – each won a game apiece during the season, with the latter winning the second semi-final.The match is at Central Reserve on Sunday.
St John’s 11.9 (76) d Therry Penola 9.13 (67)
Goals: St John’s: R. Scott, D. Carmichael, G. Costas, N. Chalk 2; D. Dick, C. Ely, N. Pouki
Best: St John’s: D. O’Connor, R. Dyker, C. Ely, D. Carmichael, M. Clark, L. Mara
RESERVES
St John’s started poorly, Therry Penola kicking against the breeze jumping them and taking a 13 point lead into quarter time.
Therry Penola outplayed St John’s in the second term and by half time the lead was 32 points.
It was then when the players looked into the eyes of each other and took on a challenge.
In the second half, the young St John’s team let Therry Penola – and the crowd – know that they weren’t going to lay down, the intensity lifted, a couple of quick goals and the confidence increased.
Marks and tackles began to stick and the deficit was 15 points at the last change.
In the last term – and with most of the play – it looked like a fairytale ending. But it wasn’t to be, St John’s going down by one point.
Therry Penola 11.10 (76) d St John’s 11.9 (75)
Goals: St John’s: D. Jones 4, B. Ayache 3, J. Butt 2, M. Kelly, N. Gordon
Best: R. Davis, C. Smith, M. Kelly, E. Jakwot, M. Gaitely, B. Ayache.
