2016 SWFL reserves grand final: HBL defeat Eaton | photos

The Lions won the toss, conducted by Olympic rower Alexandra Hagan, and elected to kick with the breeze. But it was Eaton who nailed the first goal through Dylan Ramsey. 

HBL secured their first major through Tyson Wood before Lions captain Matt Bicknell added a second and Reece Chell added a third to see HBL lead 3.2.20 to 1.3.8 at quarter time. 

The second term started in much the same way as the first with Eaton kicking the first goal and HBL hitting back with three of their own. 

Two goals within a minute to Cale Westaway and one a few moments later to his brother Jordan opened up a healthy margin for the Lions.

A major to Eaton’s Jason Smith and some strong defence kept the Boomers in the hunt with the margin 21 points at half time. 

Things got better for Eaton when Jordan Richards and Caius Harrison both goaled to trim the margin to eight.  

Chris Buchanan got a settler for the Lions to keep his side ahead at three-quarter time 7.6.48 to 5.4.34.

Eaton's Luke Yates kicked the first goal of the final term and a few hurried behinds in quick succession trimmed the margin to one. 

A mark by Richards in the goal square gave him the chance to put the Boomers in front for the first time all day, which he duly did. 

With the pressure on, Bicknell stood up and played a captain’s role, kicking the final two goals of the game to give HBL victory 9.6.60 to 7.11.53.  

Unsurpringly, Bicknell was rewarded for his premiership-winning heroics with the trophy as best-on-ground.