Old Brighton advances to the Grand Final after Preliminary epic

After months of speculation and intense competition, Old Brighton and St Kevin’s are the two that remain in the Holmesglen Under 19 Premier Men’s competition.

A Grand Final date set for this Saturday; the two sides are set to battle it out for glory on football’s biggest stage.

St Kevin’s, having already advanced just a week ago, downed the Tonners to become the first side cemented in the Grand Final.

It meant that Old Brighton would have to take the long road to glory, entering a Preliminary Final to prove that they deserve to be there in the biggest game of all.

It was a season of ups and downs for Old Brighton; shooting out to a dominant first half of the year, the side consolidated first position for weeks on end.

Such dominance would ensue until the final weeks of the home and away season, the Tonners anointed as minor premiers and acquiring the double chance.

The shock loss in the first week of finals would eventuate in a cutthroat Preliminary Final appearance.

A dewy, morning at Trevor Barker oval, the nervousness and tension of the game was palpable, as they faced a driven and inspired Old Scotch. Having prevailed over University Blues in week one of finals, the Scotch boys were red-hot, ready to send the minor premiers tumbling out of the flag race.

The ball held aloft, it was time to play, a spot in the grand final on the line.

It was Old Scotch who sent a scare into the Old Brighton camp early, concluding the first quarter as 14-point leaders.

Failing to register a single goal in the opening stages, the foundations of the gameplan began to look a little shaky for the Brighton boys. It certainly wasn’t the time for a slow start.

Intent on reeling in the scoreline, Old Brighton slammed the pedal to the floor, bringing the game to within arm’s length.

Whilst the scoreline balanced on a knife edge at half time, the momentum had evidently swayed in favour of the Tonners…

Old Scotch recognized the situation, throwing everything they could muster at their opposition in the third quarter. Despite the assault, the minor premiers appeared to have all the answers.

Mason Szonyi, Cooper Dowe were back to their brilliant best, whilst for Old Scotch, it was Ned Maginness and Matthew Mayes who were in superb form.

Heading into the three-quarter time at Trevor Barker beach oval, the scores remained almost square, 39-40 in favour of Old Scotch.

As St Kevin’s watched on eagerly, it was soon enough evident who exactly they would have to overcome in the final game of the year. A scintillating final quarter performance would power Old Brighton to a 37-point win.

Their final quarter was a mere anomaly in comparison to their opening three. They ripped the game away from Scotch in a matter of minutes.

Livewire forward Zachary Bowen ended his day with three goals, whilst teammates Miller Chilcott, Ryan Mackenzie and Kai Vivian each kicked two.

The gallant performance for Old Scotch was just not enough to eliminate the minor premiers. They can hold their heads high, knowing they were just one quarter of football away from the big dance.

It was relief that was the overlying emotion as the siren sounded. Old Brighton had beaten Old Scotch to advance to the biggest game of the year.

So, after such a thrilling ride in Holmesglen Under 19 Premier, all eyes turn to this Saturday. St Kevin’s and Old Brighton readying themselves for battle, this time for the premiership.

The two sides met just weeks ago, the Old Boys stunning the Tonners to win by just 4-points.

Earlier matchups between these two saw Old Brighton win by 44-points in round 2, and 26-points in round 11.

Whilst it is evident they have the wood over St Kevin’s, it was the Old Boys who prevailed in the all-important finals arena.

I wish the punters luck in this one, it is almost impossible to split the two sides.