Tara Murray
It’s a bit of a dream for South Morang which is through to its first Northern Football League division 2 grand final.
The Lions had to fight hard against minor premiers Whittlesea on Saturday in the qualifying final, but managed to hold on and get the job done.
South Morang coach Gary Hall said it hadn’t sunk in what they had done.
“It’s a little bit of a dream,” he said on Sunday morning. “It’s never been done in 70 years at the club.
“It is hard to put into words but the job is still not done. It’s a huge achievement by the boys.
“It’s been a long time coming.”
The Eagles came into the match after a week off, while the Lions had won through in extra time.
After trailing at quarter time, the Lions led by 20 points at half time.
The margin was back to five points heading into the final quarter.
It was four goals each in the final quarter with the Lions doing enough to win, 12.11 (83)-11.11 (77).
Hall said the match was similar to their first final.
“It was tough conditions,” he said. “I thought we controlled the game for the most part.
“They came again late and the boys were good and were able to hold their nerve. There’s things we need to improve on.”
Hall said the last two weeks they’d had their strongest side since round one which had helped and the group was getting better.
The finals experience they’d got as a whole also showed through.
“Most of the boys have played in junior finals and some have been in 13 grand finals,” he said. “Mitch Kalpakis said that last year was the first time that he hasn’t been in a grand final.
“A lot of the boys know how to handle the pressure and play their best at this time of year.”
Joshua Lansfield kicked five goals for the Lions and was one of their best.
Hall said they had a lot of contributors but not many standouts which you want to get the result.
For Whittlesea, Clancy Brand and Christian Prestopino kicked two goals each.
Jaron Murphy, Matthew Coen and Steven Dempsey were named their best.
It was a special day for the Hall family, with Tye Hall playing his 300th game for the club and his 100th senior game.
“It’s a great effort,” Gary said of his son. “It’s fantastic for the club to watch them from under-9s and under-10s and play seniors and now into a grand final.”
Hall said they would enjoy the week off after a couple of tough matches.
The Eagles will face Diamond Creek in a preliminary final with the Lions awaiting the winner in the grand final.
The Lions will be going for their third senior premiership.
“We’ll take it easy during the week and then get into next week and the grand final,” Hall said.
