Victorious Vultures claim cup

In the Division 3 decider, it came down to the two most-consistent and deserving teams of 2017, UHS-VU and Power House. With both teams locking in a top two spot weeks before the season had come to an end, a large portion of the home and away season, UHS and Power House had been battling it out for top spot on the ladder. The difference between the two so tight that it came down to the last round to have the minor premiership confirmed for Power House. It’s fitting that both have earned the chance to fight it out for the Division 3 flag against each other.

The last time these teams met was in the second semi final when the Vultures were able to account for Power House by a comfortable margin of 44 points. However, throughout the season, the two teams played each other twice and claimed one win apiece. In Round 15, Power House managed to come from five goals down to run over the top of the Vultures; while earlier in the year, UHS-VU gave the House a ten-goal touch up. Given previous results, the Vultures were favourites heading into the Grand Final despite Power House claiming the minor premiership.

Given what’s on the line, most premierships in the VAFA start on even terms before one team kicks away later in the game – the Division 3 Grand Final, however, did not follow the usual script. The week off had obviously kept the Vultures fresh and they raced out of the blocks leading by 27-points at quarter time. While they kicked five unanswered goals with a slight breeze at Sportscover Arena, Power House did let a few opportunities go begging early as they kicked five straight behinds in the opening term. Despite their dominance on the scoreboard, the game was pretty evenly contested between the arcs. Brandon Jackson for the Vultures was getting on the end of some tough inside work and was able to break the game open at times with his run. As for Power House, they were grinding away relentlessly, Ben Circosta leading from the front and filling the void that gun midfielder Sam Confait has left in their team after falling victim to a season-ending knee injury.

The challenge had been handed down to Power House in the first and how they responded in the second was going to determine how the rest of the day played out for them. To their credit, they were able to bounce back and harness the two-goal breeze to kick four goals and reduce the margin. Again, however, inaccuracy cost them dearly and they added a further five points to their tally. At half time, the Vultures maintained a 13-point advantage, though it was still anyone’s game.

The signs were good for the Vultures, though, as they had managed to contain Power House’s gun forward Nicholas Nagel to just one goal for the half. Successfully restricting his supply from the midfield and forcing the House to kick long to the contest on too many occasions. Without the wind in the third, the House would need to work hard defensively to limit the Vultures ability to score and keep themselves in with a chance coming home with the wind.

Forget defense, however, the second half got off to a perfect start for Power House as Adam Collett kicked the first goals of the premiership quarter just three minutes into play. However, their joy was short lived as the Vultures began to spread their wings and open up the play from then on. Brandon Jackson and Mitch Sweeney were each able to kick their third goal for the day, respectively, while Sam McSweeney and Myles Legudi made it four UHS-VU goals for the quarter. The outside run and spread of the Vultures cut the game wide open and their rebound out of defence was almost unstoppable. Power House were not only left to rue missed opportunities up forward but they were made to pay for them as the Vultures constantly converted going coast to coast.

UHS-VU were beginning to soar as the House were left with a mammoth task ahead of them if they were going to claim the cup – trailing the Vultures by 35 points.

The House decided to roll the dice in the last quarter and isolate their big men up forward. Get the ball into their 50 thick and fast was the idea and back their boys in to do the rest. For a while, their strategy was working and they were making a late charge for a come-from-behind victory as the Vultures scrambled to shut them down. Nicholas Nagel started to have an impact on the game as he kicked two in the last to keep his team in with a sniff. Late in the last, Nagel was unable to hold onto a difficult lunging mark that had he been able to convert would’ve put the House within ten points; As Grand Finals go, however, this defining moment for Power House was not to be and UHS-VU once again were able to rebound and run out of defence to establish a fast-paced attack and convert at the other end for a two-goal turnaround. To their credit, the House kept fighting until the bitter end but their slow start and inaccuracy ended up hurting them. The final score for the day was 9.17 – 71 to 13.14 – 92.

UHS-VU proved too strong for Power House in the end and were able to keep them at arm’s length for the whole day, despite momentum favouring Power House at times. The final margin of 21 points was largely thanks to the VB Zanin Medallist, Brandon Jackson, who kicked four goals in an elite display of football. With the win, the Vultures break a nine-year drought, claiming their first senior premiership since 2007. Darren Baker fought valiantly for the House and both Patrick Healey and Nick Nagel snagged three goals to keep their team in it throughout the day.

Despite falling short on the day, it’s not all bad for Power House who’ll join the Vultures in Division 2 for season 2018 –  a tremendous and well-deserved effort from both clubs.

Congratulations to UHS-VU on claiming the flag and to all teams who competed in what has been a great season of Division 3 football. See you all again next year!