O&M's David & Hume's Goliath

"Our ability to stay in the game for long enough... It had to be our best pressure performance"

Rovers premiership coach Sam Murray

Grand Final

Yarra v Rovers

In a stunning result to end a season of surprises, the Rovers produced a 74 point turnaround from a fortnight prior to deliver their first flag in 3 decades, relegating Yarra to their 6th runners up since '09 in the process.

Into the wind for the opening term, the Rovers withstood the Pigeon barrage to hold a slender 3 point advantage at the first break - with more of the same in the second, Yarra's inaccuracy resulting in 3 majors from 13 shots and now 5 points behind.

With the margin unchanged at the final break, the Rovers looked destined for the cup after opening up a match high 22 point lead with the wind early in the last.

Knowing the cards had been dealt, Yarra went all in to salvage their season with repeat inside 50's for a return of 3.1, ultimately falling short in a 3 point thriller despite +7 shots on.

The Brown & Gold opted to risk it for the biscuit, recalling Will Christie for his first game in over 3 months, but that played dividends with the tall nabbing 2 majors.

Coach Sam Murray's gutsy selection call might have been a big influence on the game, but his own performance was equally as impressive,  carving out a monster midfield effort - but was narrowly pipped for best on by big Ed Dayman, who supplied constant headaches for the Pigeons both in the ruck & up forward, finishing with 2 snags & a Did Simpson.

"This started back on January 9 when I first addressed the players at Uranquinty. My first message to the playing group that day was 'we are going for it'"

Osborne premiership coach Myles Aalbers

Grand Final

Osborne v Holbrook

Despite a massive turnover of last year's premiership heroes, perennial powerhouse Osborne has established yet another dynasty, taking out back-to-back flags for the 5th time in their history, & 3 of the past 4.

The late withdrawal of coach Myles Aalbers with a hamstring injured last they met the Brookers was less than ideal, but the Tiges only had his onfield services on 9 occasions this season and would no doubt have been confident of doing the job with him calling from the sidelines.

That might have been put into question at quarter time, Holbrook having jumped off to a flyer with the breeze & taking a 16 point lead into the first break with 4 goals to 1.

But Osborne would hit back in the second, reversing the deficit in their favour at the main break by keeping the Brookers goalless.

When the Green & Gold again failed to meaningfully impact the scoreboard in the third, their fate was all but signed, sealed & delivered as the Tiges would keep them goalless for the final 3 quarters of footy.

The Brookers' 4.10 was the second lowest grand final score in 50-odd years.

The versatile Duncan McMaster dominated tapouts, providing first use to his mids, chopped out with some solid intercepts to relieve the pressure while down back & even slipped forward with a snag to earn best on honours.