By David Nagel
St Johns Old Collegians will look to bring their first premiership cup since 2011 back to Thomas Carroll Reserve when they run out for Saturday’s VAFA Division 2 grand final.
The JOCs finished the home and away season at the top of the ladder, with a 15-1 record, and gave West Brunswick a 41-point touch up in the second semi-final a fortnight ago.
The JOCs are as well placed as they’ve been in the last five years to add a further pennant to that 28-point triumph over Glen Eira in 2011.
They were promoted to Division 1 in 2012, immediately relegated to Division 2 for the 2013 season where they finished fifth, before dropping to sixth in 2014.
The JOCs finished second last year but were bundled out of the finals series in straight-sets elimination.
Coach Ben McGee is proud of the way his side turned that disappointment around to make it to this year’s big dance.
“It’s fantastic, I wouldn’t say we’re relived, but we buried a few demons from last year and to win a final shows we’re on the improve and we can’t wait for the grand final to come around,” McGee said.
“Our defensive effort in the third quarter of the second semi-final was as good as we’ve produced all year. Glenn Costas and Liam O’Connor are great leaders, but we’ve got another layer below them who really stood up when it counted on the weekend.”
McGee has some exciting talent at his disposal with Sudanese trio Guy Chuol, John Ayama and Emmanuel Jakwot at the top of the list
“They’re genuine athletes and real torch bearers for Sudanese footballers around the region,” said McGee, who can sense a burning desire among his players.
“I think there are 16 players who haven’t played in a flag before so there’s some real hunger driving this group at the moment,” he said.
Six members of that 2011 premiership side will try to repeat history on Saturday, with skipper Glenn Costas, Adam Bourchier, Corey Ely, Kane Arnold, Keith Ash and Rohan Scott looking to repeat the triumph.
