Somerville Football Club made it eight consecutive wins in the MPNFL Division 2 Elimination Final against Chelsea on their turf.
Final Score: Somerville 11.15 (81) v Chelsea 10.13 (73)
For three quarters, Chelsea looked the more accomplished team, with a strong defence and a clear understanding of how to play their ground to best advantage.
At half-time Chelsea led Somerville by five goals, and at three-quarter time they maintained a three-goal lead — importantly with the wind at their backs.
Edging into the finals series by a slender one percent the previous week, and defeating all contenders including Chelsea, Pearcedale, Devon Meadows and Frankston Bombers in the lead-up, optimism remained among Somerville’s players, coaches and supporters that the Eagles were still in the game.
Even so, a three-goal deficit, kicking into the wind, and the injury to backline general Mitch Mantell all signalled a major challenge in this winner-takes-all contest.
Final Quarter Turnaround
True to form, Somerville put together a magnificent last quarter with the season on the line.
With the Chelsea Recreation Reserve at capacity and the atmosphere electric, Daniel Marshall, Jake Haskett, Oliver Heavey and Mason de Wit turned the contest on its head with a succession of goals to take the lead.
But Chelsea weren’t done. Ball magnet Todd Gardiner received a questionable free kick 60 metres from goal. With the wind at his back, he launched a torpedo that split the middle. In an instant, the game swung back Chelsea’s way.
Then came the moment.
Enter Zane “Scrapper” Martin. Thirty minutes on the clock, four points down, no time to waste. The ball spills free out of the centre square and into his grasp. From 50 metres out, kicking into the wind, he sizes up his options and drills a sizzling pass to Ben Kaddatz, parked 30 metres from goal.
One minute left. Silence falls. Kaddatz takes responsibility. The ball looks good off the boot, just clearing the desperate pack on the line. Chelsea is deflated. Somerville erupts.
Seconds remain. The ball is returned to the centre. Somerville wins the clearance. A free kick to Corey Battams. The siren sounds. Battams kicks the goal after the siren. Somerville is victorious — against the odds.
Best Players
Somerville: Lachie Gill Renouf, Oliver Heavey, Jack Moroney, Lochie Fewster, Bailey Bakker
Chelsea: Matt Dussin, Jordan Kelly, Brett O’Hanlon, Todd Gardiner, Zane Carter
Other Finals Results
Qualifying Final
Devon Meadows 18.20 (138) d Pearcedale 13.3 (81)
Semi Final 1 – Saturday, August 30
Frankston Bombers v Devon Meadows at Crib Point
Semi Final 2 – Sunday, August 31
Pearcedale v Somerville at Baxter Park 1
The Somerville Swooper’s Finals Predictions
- Devon Meadows v Frankston Bombers
Devon Meadows to edge out Frankston Bombers. Devon were impressive against Pearcedale and are hungry for their first premiership cup. Frankston Bombers, who won 15 straight earlier in the season, finished top for a reason but injuries to key players could be decisive. - Somerville v Pearcedale
Somerville to beat Pearcedale in a blockbuster Postcode Cup clash.
Pearcedale finished second and at full strength are formidable, with key forwards Brett Eddy, Cruiz West and Mitchell Davis all needing fitness tests.
Somerville, meanwhile, are on a roll, having beaten every finals candidate with their well-drilled, team-first style. The availability of Tom Roberts and Mitch Mantell will be critical, but confidence is high that the Eagles can continue their charge.
