Inverleigh has broken a premiership drought that stretched back 31 years with a resounding victory in the Geelong & District Football League grand final at St Albans Reserve on Saturday September 17.
The 15.5(95) to 4.8(32) win against Thomson was set up with a dominant first half that had the Hawks leading by 39 points at the main break.
The win capped off a 12-game winning streak that began after playing coach Adam Donohue stepped down during the season.
New coach Chris Moore filled the role, while Donohue continued as a player.
Thomson only broke even in the third term when it outscored Inverleigh by a point, but the Tigers had two goalless quarters along with a one-goal second term.
It was a controversial start to the game when Thomson onballer Jahd Anderson was knocked unconscious in the opening seconds.
Inverleigh booted the first five goals of the game as best afield Jarrod Love was in everything.
Dalton Grundell booted four goals while Donohue kicked three.
Leyton Thulborn was the Tigers’ best while Charley Donohue found space and used the ball well.
In the reserves, Inverleigh broke another drought, this time a 49-year one with a 7.9(51) to 6.7(43) win against East Geelong.
Werribee Centrals defeated East Geelong in the A Grade netball with Amanda O’Malley best on court after missing the semi-final with a back injury.
The result was a reverse of last year’s grand final.
The Centurions experienced heads stepped up when it counted on Saturday as the club claimed the premiership, 29-23.
Midcourter Melissa Primsall and wing defence Natasha Dimkovski were the other standouts as their defence end produced a strong performance.
For the Eagles, goalkeeper Stephanie Boyce and wing defence Claudia Cook were standouts.
Thomson defeated Inverleigh in B grade, 34 to 30 with Errin Lang best on court.
