The stage was set for a big day at Lancefield Park as the BGT Employment Melton Central Reserves Football side battled a fired up Wallan Magpies last Sunday.
The God’s opened the heavens and the sun shone down on those who made the side. The spotlight was on them. Those 22 players selected not only had to wear the jumper for the club but they also represented the players who missed out and in season 2009, there would be a few.
As I opened the RDFL record for Grand Final day, I was quite surprised that once again the pundits wrote Centrals off. Was it the class of Wallan that had all believe and hope for a Magpies premiership? Or was it just a simple case of underestimating the Navy Blues? There is no doubt that it was a combination of both but in the end, it was the players who had to go out there and prove a few points.
Melton Centrals walked on the hallowed turf of Lancefield Park as one united team. In a collective, the players burst through the Grand Final banner ‘One Team, One Family’ to face their nemesis the Wallan Magpies, a side they had only beaten once in their last three outings. The sides lined up in anticipation for the first bounce and as expected, Aaron ‘Fridge’ McNabb lined up on Jamie Mastaeller and Matt ‘Rock’ Martin had the dangerous Dale Keenan. At the other end, Centrals forward line looked ominous with Clint ‘Crazy’ Mullins, AJ Higgins and Trent Wemyss starting with Rick Scott on the bench.
The first half of the game provided plenty of highlights and it was the older brigade that led the way. Jason ‘Fish’ Bradley led the way with his silky, Cyril Rioli like skills through the middle. He inspired, like every other game, the younger brigade to lift their game to a new level. Enter Allister Hill.
Hill put the shiny red boots on in the hope that he could attract the umpires eye as he aimed to not only deliver a premiership, but to be the second Centrals player to receive the Sankey Medal. He need not worry about the boots because it was the game he brought on Sunday that did all the talking. Time and time again he rebounded Wallan’s attack and got the Navy Blue crowd going when he slotted a goal from the boundary and proceeded to run the length of the Centrals crowd celebrating with them.
Ryan ‘KB’ Partridge got involved with his trademark dash across the wings hitting targets at will. He also got the crowd going as he ran inside 50 and unleashed at goals numerous times. Wallan weren’t giving him any respect and Partridge threatened to be the game breaker. He and his brother Luke relished the opportunity to play for the first time in a grand final together. Luke was a pillar of strength across the back half and combined well with Martin. But inaccurate kicking at goal prevented this game being a blow out and gave Wallan a chance at three quarter time.
The Magpies kicked themselves back into contention with a few quick goals and had the Navy Blues worried about the momentum. Ryan Nelson worked hard in the middle to put the pressure on the Magpies midfield. He crashed the packs with brut force and spilled the ball forward at every opportunity. Paul Scott also stood up and played the unfamiliar role of crashing packs. Nelson and Scott led the way with their intense tackling and worried Wallan out of the contest. There was a lot to like about Centrals second half. Shannon Dean played an exceptional game in the ruck and Glenn ‘Dancing Dougy’ Sproule was lethal up forward. He baulked this way and that, Wallan and Centrals players alike, he was that elusive that the spectators couldn’t catch him! AJ Higgins was tagged throughout the game and showed a glimmer of his magic. The magic would have been on show if the ball didn’t hit his face as often as it did the ground and he kicked a ‘miracle’ goal as replays clearly showed the ball coming of his knee as he snapped. David Pickett provided the spark in the last quarter as he layed tackle after tackle and hit the ground running. He lumbered forward on two occasions from ‘give and goes’ and unleashed inside 50 to create two opportunities on goal. Centrals ran the game out 30 point winners and recorded their second flag for the reserves.
At the end of the day, every single player involved on the day, whether playing, running water, or supporting the club created the opportunity for a flag at our beloved Centrals. As captain McNabb spoke on the podium about how great the club is, I thought about the people who make this club so great. The volunteers make the club what it is today. Helen Wilson, Hans and Marion Treiber, Rob Galloway, Peter Binek, Mick Talevski, Ken Greenshields and Doug Hill all put their hand up week in, week out and the flag is for them. Well done to all who were involved with the win! I think everyone involved can’t wait for the players to improve, put their hand up and get our very first senior flag to the club!
