Old Brighton snuff out the Lions to book a spot in the Grand Final

Old Brighton are into this years William Buck Premier Grand Final.

As the overcast skies and rain rolled in late on Sunday afternoon at Elsternwick Park, the boys in red and blue were shining brightly holding off Collegians by 26 points to book a date with St Kevins next Sunday.

The Tonners kicked off the day with the Under 19’s heading into the Grand Final. Those youngsters are the next generation of Old Brighton stars. The few that have already put their hand up this year in the seniors kept the momentum going as Finn Campigli opened proceedings with the first two goals of the day. Through the middle of the ground Harry Hill (100th game), Tom Fisher (100th game), Darby Hipwell and Max Kennedy went about their business against Viv Michie, Sam Hibbins, Freddie Sullivan and Josh Watson.

While on the scoreboard it looked promising early, the alarm bells were ringing as Andrew Doyle came from the ground in the opening minutes cradling his right arm. But, such was the occasion he went into the rooms, strapped it up and reappeared. Collegians were able to respond late in the opening term with three goals of their own as Sam Sofrinidis goaled with seconds remaining to go in to head to the opening change in front by a point.

During second quarters in recent weeks, Old Brighton have put the gap on Old Melburnians in Round 18. Did so against Old Xaverians in the semi-final last weekend and again yesterday. Four goals in the second term to go in at half time leading by 19 points, this young, brash, confident side were in the box seat to run away with the game. To make it tougher for Collegians, Oli Jackson was met head on just before half-time and went straight to the rooms to get his own shoulder looked after. Like Doyle, he too returned to the field in a show of strength and left nothing to chance, flying through the air at every attempt to mark the footy.

The third term became a grind, scoring slowed, the opening 10 minutes of the quarter was an arm-wrestle. The Tonners were able to kill the clock, waste every second and keep the Lions at bay. Will Lewis, set the task of locking down on Dave Mirra for the day was accumulating kicks in the defensive half of the ground. Mirra was running and jumping at the football, but couldn’t convert in front of goal, hitting the goalpost twice from set shots.

A 21 point margin at three quarter time. A packed Elsternwick Park crowd. The dream start to the final term went the way of Old Brighton. After kicking one of the early goal of the day contenders, Michael Karayannis stepped up and snapped his second for the day to put the Tonners 27 points ahead. Not to be denied, Collegians fought boldly for the next 15 minutes of the contest. Surging forward at every opportunity. Using the corridor to take the game on. Sam Sofrinidis was marking every Brighton repel from defence.

At the 22 minute mark of the final quarter, in his 100th game Petrus Olivier collected the football on the wing, out on his legs, with rain tumbling down handballed the ball forward, followed up with a second effort, and on the third attempt with the ball at his bootlaces, collected the sherrin and brought with him the hopes of the Old Brighton faithful. Kicking the goal the sealed the game and sends Old Brighton into the Grand Final for the first time in William Buck Premier since 2007.

Collegians are understandably heartbroken, the 2022 campaign ends here. One win short of the Grand Final. Jared Rivers and his team must be commended on the year they’ve put together. Old Brighton are riding a wave of momentum that is irresistible. They have all the machinations that is required to compete and win finals footy. Three boxes ticked. One to go. St Kevins awaits.

Photo: Bruce Tobin, Collegians FC