Falcons win big and fly into the Grand Final

Billy Bolch

Division 4’s Preliminary Final saw Box Hill North take on Albert Park with the winner earning a spot in the Grand Final and the loser having their season end one game shorter than they would’ve wanted. These two sides had met 4 times during the 2023 season and had shared the wins with each side recording 2 wins against the other. This game was truly anyone’s to win and a match that would be truly unpredictable.

The first quarter saw both sides try to get off to the best start possible in a high-intensity display of football, with both sides having their time up forward and finding the big sticks. The first quarter produced a test for both sides as it would be the longest quarter the sides would play that game but as the siren sounded to end the 32-minute quarter, it was the Falcons that held a narrow 1-point lead over the Demons. The second quarter saw the Falcons launch into attack with their hard-running and incredibly attacking brand of football. The Falcons were able to completely catch the Demons off guard with a 4-goal to 0 quarter extending the lead out to 29 points. As the siren sounded, the Falcons led the amount of scoring shots with 16 scoring shots to 7 so if the Demons stood any chance, they needed to attack quickly and efficiently to reduce their 29-point deficit.

After looking back at the season they’ve had, finding their way back into the finals in 2023, the Demons were not going to give up on this match that easily. The Demons came into the third quarter with a point to prove and that they did as they were able to kick 4 goals whilst only allowing a single goal from the Falcons to reduce the lead to 13 points with a quarter of football to play. The final quarter is when all dream of taking over and winning the game for their side. In this contest, it was the Falcons that were able to take control of the game, holding the majority of possession and having 7 scoring shots to 1 from the Demons. More shots at goal saw the tally of the Falcons go higher as they were able to produce a 3-goal to 1 quarter and take out the game with major celebrations from the Falcons faithful as they ran out winners by 29 points securing their spot in the seniors Grand Final for the first time since 2019.

Hitting the scoreboard for the Demons were Alexander Williams and David Edwards who both kicked 2 goals. Individual goal-kickers for the Demons were Jonathan Tommasoni, Marcus Lorkin, Samuel Roberts and Blake Williams. Jack Lee continued his extraordinary season up forward with 5 goals for the Falcons. Other goal-kickers for the Falcons were Ashley Evans (2), Joshua Beets (2) and Christopher Marson (2). In the best for the Demons were Samuel Roberts, Timothy Stanghi and Jerome Tennison. In the best for the Falcons was Felix Metz, Drew Pearman and Sam Lee.

The Demons will now go into the off-season where they will look to build on their existing elite core and make another run at the flag in 2024 as they look to be one of the teams to beat next season. After winning only 1 senior game in 2022, the Demons should be incredibly proud of what they were able to accomplish this season and although there will be some disappointment, look for the Demons to be a dangerous side next season.

Grand Final Prediction

I see this being the game of the season and a truly unpredictable game, whilst the Bulls have shown strength all season remaining undefeated, they have faced a few close scares. The Falcons, on the other hand, have found momentum at the right time of the season winning 4 of their last 5 and 7 of their last 8.

I see this game being a story of two halves. The Bulls have been known to get off to a strong start and I don’t see anything changing in the division’s biggest game of the season. I see them starting strong and taking a 20-30-point lead into half-time. Now, this is where the game can go either way. On the one hand, the Bulls are known to take over the game quite quickly and efficiently with their third quarter often being their most devastating. However, the third quarter is often where the Falcon forwards find their way into the game. I see the Falcons putting the pressure right back onto the Bulls in the final half leading to a contested back and forth final quarter of football. From here, I see North Brunswick running out winners after a back-and-forth final quarter including a last-minute goal from the Bulls in what should be an incredible game of football. This game will be an incredible watch, should be the match of the season for the Division with both sides possessing great talent across the ground.