2022 grand final review
Wangaratta are premiers in the 2022 SS&A OMFNL after they held off a withering burst from a brave Yarrawonga in front of 8700 spectators on a golden day of grand final football.
The crowd at Lavington Sportsground was treated to one of the great grand finals of the modern era as Wangaratta held on to win 12-14-86 to Yarrawonga 13-5-83.
It capped off a year of dominance for coach Ben Reid and his players who won 19 of its 20 matches to be crowned deserving champions.
Yarrawonga kicked the final four goals of the game in an eleven-minute burst to get within three points with a bit over two minutes remaining.
Jess Koopman took a diving mark 45 metres out with just over a minute left – his kick to put the Pigeons in front just missed to the right-hand goal post.
The final minute was frantic as bodies through themselves at the ball before the siren sounded with Yarrawonga ready to launch another attack.
Yarrawonga became only the third side in a grand final to kick more goals than the opposition and finish runners up. Myrtleford in 2005 and Wodonga 1995 were the others. For Wangaratta it was their first win since its 2017 triumph over Albury, they had lost the two most recent deciders in 2018 and 2019. It was just the second time the two teams had played off in a grand final – back in 1938 Wangaratta won kicking one more point than in the 2022 victory 12-15-87
Twice Yarrawonga came back from what seemed hopeless positions to almost pull off what would have been a remarkable upset. Wangaratta twice had game high leads of 26 points – late in the second term and then half way through the final quarter.
Cal Moore with four goals was awarded the Did Simpson medal for best on ground, with his two early last quarter goals having a huge impact on the final wash up. The award could have gone to several contenders on both sides with Pies ruckman Chris Knowles, midfielder Jackson Clarke and defender Luke Saunders outstanding over four quarters.
Both sides went into the match unchanged from its selected sides with Yarrawonga star on baller Michael Gibbons not coming up with his hamstring injury. One of the best battles of the day was between Yarrawonga star forward Leigh Williams and Pies full back Michael Bordingon. Bordingon kept Williams goalless in the first half before Williams put on a goal kicking clinic to nail home four in the second half. The Pigeons playmakers so quiet in the first half all lifted in the second including Bailey Fraunfelder who’s brilliant running goal put Yarrawonga in front in the third quarter.
Yarrawonga took out its third straight seconds premiership with a narrow 12 point win over Wangaratta Rovers who kicked eight straight behinds in the last quarter.
Wangaratta after losing three of its last grand finals appearances in the thirds bounced back to record a stunning win over Corowa Rutherglen. The Pies stormed home in the final quarter to win by four points after the Roos had led by nineteen points during the final term.
Yarrawonga completed its brilliant finish to the season by winning the A grade netball premiership 44-31 over Wangaratta.
Not only was it a triumph for the Pigeons sustained run of excellence but a momentous day for its star goal shooter Bridget Cassar. Cassar playing her 250th match was awarded the MVP for her 33 goals in the decider and was her ninth premiership with the Pigeons on what is a remarkable resume.
Wangaratta suffered a major blow with injured goals shooter Georgia Clark failing to complete the first quarter with a knee injury sustained the previous week.
It was Yarrawonga eighth premiership since 2009 and its first since 2017. Kylie Leslie continued her great form to win her sixth premiership. Kate Dean and Liv Richards were best for the Magpies.
Lavington Panthers completed a great season by winning both B and C grade premierships on their home court. The Panthers stunned Albury with a 64-44 win in B grade with emerging star Christine Oguche winning the MVP with a superb game in goals. Earlier in the day the C grade team defeated Albury by three goals with Angela Kavanagh winning best on court.
The Under 17 game was an absolute thriller with Wodonga taking out the premiership over cross town rivals Wodonga Raiders.
It was a great day for the Murphy family with Lizzy Murphy awarded best on court for her work in goals and her mother Kylie the coach. In an action packed and drama charged finish Raiders came from five goals down to force the game into overtime where Wodonga held its nerve to win 55-53.
