INCREDIBLE.
There’s not much more you can say.
Collegians are the first team to enter the William Buck Premier Grand Final in 2023 beating the University Blues by 2 points in a grandstand finish.
The Lions came into the contest as minor Premiers, the Uni Blues went under the radar throughout the home and away season to finish second. 15 minutes into the first quarter, the Blues had gotten the jump on Collegians.
Cordy was on top of Woodfull, Grimley was on top of Warren and the Blues held a 24 point lead.
Lachie Ferguson, the stalwart was able to open the scoring for the Lions, which then rolled into a Jim Bazzani goal, and then Dave Mirra just before quarter time to wrestle back momentum and close the gap to five points at the first break.
Continuing on the momentum through the second term Collegians were able to turn that five point deficit into a five point lead at half-time, through back to back goals to Campbell Walker, another to Lachie Ferguson and then Ed Greene before the main-change.
A late goal to Mo Akoch meant the Blues were within a goal, and Guy Martyn was able to seize on that opportunity during his messaging at half-time. The scoring dried up in the third term, but the intensity of the contest went to new heights.
Sam Cozens, threw himself into every contest and looked to be the matchwinner for the Blues after kicking a brilliant goal, while Dylan Thomas was doing the same for Collegians going the other way.
Marty Gleeson and Tom Cutler wouldn’t be denied with every Collegians foray forward. They were within one point at the final change, and started the last term like a house on fire.
Back to back goals for Tom Young, and then Sam Grimley pushed the Uni Blues out to a 24 point lead at the 19-minute mark of the final quarter. And they had one foot in the Grand Final.
For the second time in 3 quarters, Collegians had to mount a comeback and find something they haven’t been asked to find all year long.
Mirra answered the call with a goal. Then moved into the middle to be a prominent figure. Sam Sofrinidis provided an incredible amount of drive from half-back, Kenny Ong willed himself at every stoppage to breakaway and send the Lions forward.
Lachie Ferguson, on tired legs went bang from 50m to bring the Lions back to within two goals, and then Max Pinchbeck from long-range brought the margin back under a kick and Collegians fans dared to dream.
In the dying moments, after having played out of his skin in a battle with Ayce Cordy, big man Ben Woodfull took the intercept mark from a wayward Fletcher McIvor kick to go back from long-range and etch his name into VAFA folklore with the kick of his life to put Collegians in front, send Josh Heriot into hysterics, along with the masses behind the goals and book themselves a spot in this years Grand Final.
He kicked his first goal of the season, at the most important time of the year.
When the final siren sounded, seconds later, Collegians buried their finals blues having not won a final since 2018, they are the first team through.
Devastation for University Blues, they will lick their wounds, think about what if and then have to reset their focus for the Preliminary Final in a week’s time. The winner of Old Scotch and St Kevin’s tomorrow will be their opponent.
The minor premiers are now four quarters away from sealing a famous premiership.
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