Gryphons cap off 2023 in style with a Krushing premiership victory

Ben Black

Glen Eira has done it, forced to go the long way around to achieve a Grand Final victory like no other. 

Going into the contest the Gryphons were tipped as underdogs prior to starting, having lost to the Krushers in back to back weeks (Round 18 and the second semi-final). It was Oakleigh’s to lose. 

Aaron Cloke led Krushers to the big dance single handedly and kicked them in a grand final but this was a different story. 

Bright sunshine across Trevor Barker Beach Oval saw both teams need to maximise their opportunities to get the win with the aid of the breeze coming off the beach. 

As you would expect a big crowd came through the gates to see the best two teams in Division 1 Men’s lock horns for the big dance. 

The opening term saw the Gryphons make best use of the conditions early, bringing a resounding amount of pressure making Oakleigh feel the heat. It was Will Green who got the Glen Eira army up and about early, before Lachie Myers was electric by being able to slot through a key major to give the Gryphons their first goal of the day. 

Five consecutive inside 50s for Oakleigh however struggled to convert or hit a target. Tom Gillard got the Krushers ball rolling at the 15 minute mark with a major. 

Harry Bass was quick to respond with his first goal to give the Gryphons their third of the opening term. The match up between Ash Carey and Aaron Cloke, a highly anticipated one in the build up, came to fruition. On the cusp of quarter time Cloke was able to get the better of Carey to kick the Krushers back within a point of the Gryphons. 

A contested, fiery start to the second term saw the scoring dry up for both sides. For the first time this year, Oakleigh were held to a goalless quarter whilst the Gryphons were able to convert the only major of the term to hold a slender four point lead at the main break. 

During the third term, the game was spun on its head. Words of inspiration from the mastercoach Jon Edgar saw the Gryphons take the ascendancy and produce a scintillating quarter with eight goals to put the game well and truly beyond doubt at the final change. 

James French of Glen Eira was huge in the ruck giving the first use to the Gryphons midfielders. Sean Bass was flying in one of his best games of the year, being able to convert majors from left, right and middle making him one of the dangerous small forwards of the Division 1. 

He really was the game changer that got Glen Eira the premiership as he slotted in three goals during the premiership quarter. 

With a 52 point lead at the final change, the last term was the stuff of dreams for the Gryphons. 

Oakleigh were climbing an uphill battle to win the flag and unable to regain any form of momentum. 

Gryphons winger Willem Van Denderen was huge, being able to break packs and give Glen Eira boys a lot of run. 

Alex Erwin Ross slotted a major on the run to seal the victory, off the back of the heartache in 2022, the Gryphons had plenty to cheer about being able to run out winners being able to have a comfortable win by 54 point winners giving the perfect runway for the start 2024 with a bang when they move up to Premier C.

Congratulations to James French who was given best on ground honours, and as well coach Jon Edgar who again is a Premiership coach and captain Ash Carey for leading the group to this significant moment.