Power House crowned back-to-back Premiers – Division 2 Men’s Grand Final Review

Power House 10.17 (77) def Whitefriars 8.10 (58)

Power House produced a dominant second half as they claimed back-to-back premierships.

There was a strong wind towards the nature reserve end of Revo Fitness Park; however, Power House were unable to capitalise on the wind in the first quarter.

 Whitefriars kicked the first of the day against the wind before the Housers kicked the next two to take a seven-point lead into quarter-time.

“The game was pretty tight early, we didn’t really take our chances and Whitefriars put on some really good pressure,” Power House coach Nick Cox said.

The Friars lifted the intensity in the second quarter and reaped the rewards kicking four goals, as the ball lived in their attacking half for the majority of the term, leading at half-time by 19 points.

“We were beaten soundly in the contest for most of the second quarter which gave them plenty of forward entries… Even though they kicked a couple late I thought our last six to eight minutes was starting to look better,” Cox said.

Unlike the first quarter, Power House were able to capitalise on the wind in the third, kicking five goals to none.

Cianan Doherty kicked a ‘centimetre perfect’ set-shot to bring Power House within four points of Whitefriars midway through the term. A lovely handball chain which was finished off by Mitchell Newman gave Power House the lead a minute later.

Goals from Mark O’Keffe and Harry Officer gave the Housers a 19-point lead at three-quarter-time as they well and truly responded after a disappointing second term.

“I was pretty strong on them at break, a few individuals were called out and their response was immediate. Our contest and pressure was back where it needed to be and we got plenty of forward entries and probably should have had the game won at three-quarter-time but for inaccurate goalkicking,” Cox said.

There was a big roar from the Power House faithful after Cox’s three-quarter-time address as Power House looked to be in the box seat to claim back-to-back premierships.

Kicking with the wind, Whitefriars kicked the first of the final term to cut the lead to 13. However, Power House were able to do something that hadn’t been done all day, which was kick multiple goals at the Glen Huntly Road end of the ground.

Power House kicked three in a row to blow the margin out to 30 points as Cianan Doherty sealed the game with his third.

Whitefriars were able to kick two consolation goals as Power House ran out 19-point winners.

“The first 15 minutes of the final quarter we got right on top as they started to tire and we took our chances in front of goal,” Cox said.

“Going into the game without Stubbs and Wotherspoon was going to be tough but the boys were unreal.”

Rory O’Connor was instrumental all day and was awarded Best on Ground, capping off an amazing first year of footy. 

Two years and two flags for coach Nick Cox, as Power House will look to make it three in a row when they enter Division 1 in 2027.

“Winning two in a row is a big achievement, it just takes a lot of work and commitment, and these guys were able to do it pretty well for most of the year,” Cox said.

“We have played four finals in two years and won all of them, I think that says it all.”

It wasn’t to be for Whitefriars, who defied expectations to claim a minor premiership and promotion to Division 1.

 “We started in a place that no one believed we would end up being in, coming from sixth to a Grand Final appearance with a minor premiership along the way is a huge achievement,” Whitefriars coach Andrew Daou said.

 “We had 46 players through our senior side, saw massive internal growth especially with our Under 19s.

“We as a club are so excited about where we are going, and Sunday will not and has not defined our season. Congratulations to Power House on their super achievement. Full credit to them, they were better on the day.”