CONGRATULATIONS to the Carey Park Football Club who won the Carlton Draught premiership cup when they defeated Harvey Brunswick Leschenault by 28 points in the league grand final and the Apprentice and Traineeship Company trophy by defeating Eaton Boomers by one point in the colts match at Hands Memorial Oval last Sunday.
HBL had some consolation when they were successful by defeating Busselton for the Reserves Solahart cup by just four points.
In front of a huge crowd approaching 5000 people the two dominant teams throughout the home and away season came face to face for the season showdown.
They produced a grand final which at times reached great heights and gave spectators what they came for.
Both teams went in full of confidence and at near full strength but it was the teamwork and pace of Carey Park under the guidance of senior coach John Baggetta and his coaching staff who won the day.
HBL co-captains Joe McEvoy and Mark Foster won the toss and elected to kick to the Mary Street end of the ground which was being favoured slightly by a south west cross wind and it was only minutes before both teams had a major on the board kicked by their respective full forwards.
Kim Williams got a clever soccer kick through for HBL and Shane Nani produced a trade mark effort for Carey Park at the Halsey Street end and it was game on.
The ruck dual between Dan Atkinson and Scott Wescombe was already living up to expectations while for HBL McEvoy and Glenn Clark were strong in defence along with Anthony Morabito and Mick Sherry who were in everything and when Williams had kicked three for the quarter the Lions were looking good.
For the Panthers Tom Collins was outstanding across half back with strong marking and clearances and their midfielders in Scott Roche, Charles Tallent, Justin Wilson and Ryan Clough were already showing good signs.
Honours for the quarter though went with HBL who led six goals straight to three goals two points at quarter time.
I don't know what coach Baggetta said during the break but The Panthers came out fired up and players like O’Mara who copped a big hit, Tallent, Nani with big strong marks in the goalfront, Hinkley, Wilson, Roche, Hill, and Blurton were all in the thick of things.
And the pace of their runners in Bennell, Quartermaine and Garlett was beginning to tell.
Foster, Zampopgna and Gleadall were trying hard for HBL but it was evident that the Panthers and their running game were getting on top.
So much so that they had cleared the quarter time deficit and gone to a 10 goals 4 to eight straight goals lead at the half time break.
They call the third quarter “The Premiership Quarter” and Carey Park were going to make it theirs.
Quartermaine, Bennell and Garlett came into the game with big expectations riding on their young shoulders and they didn't let anyone down.
They are exciting players and they were on show in this quarter for everyone to see even to the extent of playing party tricks with their blistering pace and ball handling.
Along with Hill in the forward line and Wilson, Tallent, Roche and Hough through the middle big Gasper came to the fore and Tompsett and Hinkley along with Nani were under notice.
Clark and Elari across half back were good for the Lions but they were under seige and something had to give.
It did and by three quarter time the Carey Park Panthers were holding a 54 point advantage and it was going to take a miracle HBL comeback for them to win from here.
The Lions did come back in the final term lead by a great effort from Nathan Elari at half back running forward, Sherry on the ball and David Newman and Tom Fleay who were trying hard. With contributions from Soulas, Zampopgna, McFarland and Williams who got his fourth goal they actually had the better of the final term outscoring the Panthers five goals to one but the Red and Blue's were coasting and won their second grand final in three years 18.12 to 14.8.
Pike medallist
The Pike Medal for fairest and best in the grand final was won by Carey Park's East Fremantle recruit Justin Wilson who was also this years Hayward Medallist
Best players
Carey Park: Scott Roche, Frank Quartermaine, Justin Wilson Charles Tallent, Dan Atkinson, Tom Collins, Shane Nani (6 goals), Aaron Hill and Ryan Clough.
HBL: Nathan Elari, Joe McEvoy, Glenn Clark, Mark Foster, Mick Sherry, Tom Fleay Scott Wescombe, Adam Soulas and Anthony Zampogna.
Highlights and lowlights
The sheer pace and agility of Quartermaine and Bennell throughout the game and the six goals to Shane Nani.
Along with the half time Hungry Jack's Dash for Cash which was won in great fashion by Collie Eagles Matt Blackford who blitzed the field over 400 metres.
Lowlights were the idiots who caused police to close down the drinks tent at the Halsey Street end at three quarter time and the tiggy-touchwood 50 metre penalties handed out in the match.
I think the penalties in most cases don't fit the crime and are a blight on the game.
And thanks to SWFL President Kevin Lynn and his executive team for their hospitality throughout the grand final and well done to ground commentator Ray Dau who kept patron informed throughout the match. Roll on season 2009.