Matthew Rees was named best on ground in the 19.18 (132) to 6.3 (39) victory that capped off a memorable day for club after the Demons reserves also claimed Grand Final success following an undefeated season.
Panton Hill kicked the opening three goals of the contest however 11 consecutive goals for Mernda between the second and fourth quarters ensured the premiership cup returned to Schotters Road for the first time since 1991.
First-year coach Brett Wilson was full of admiration for his side in the post-match and credited his players’ ability to hold off the Redbacks’ challenge in the opening term.
“We executed everything how we wanted to,” Wilson said.
“We knew that they were going to throw everything at us in the first quarter but we knew the spaces of Epping were going to suit us and that’s exactly what happened.
“There was a lot of pressure going into the game in terms of the club wanting to go straight back into Division 2 and we have a vision to keep going north very quickly.”
While Rees was a deserving recipient of the best on ground medal, Wilson paid tribute to Matthew Aquilina, Tom Deayton and Andrew O’Reilly who all excelled on the big stage.
“We were tossing up during the week on Tommy Deayton and we showed faith in Tommy and I thought Matty Aquilina’s and Tommy Deayton’s games today were absolutely amazing.
“We were holding him (Aquilina) back and holding him back and he was getting annoyed with us, asking ‘When are you going to put me on the ball?’ When we let him go he really went and opened up the spaces and opened up the game.”
Aquilina kicked a game-high three goals, as did former Greensborough wingman David Hutchinson and Tom Felle.
Hutchinson’s first goal was an important one. It came just prior to quarter-time and required an element of fortunate after it took a right turn to bounce through. It kept the Demons within nine points at the first change after a Tristan Kreymborg-dominated opening stanza.
The Panton Hill ruckman was unstoppable in the first quarter. He won countless ruck taps, took marks in defence and kicked the opening goal of the contest after trapping a loose ball and running into 40m.
He then booted the first goal of the second term to put the Redbacks 15 points in front after marking strongly 30m out from goal.
However that’s where the game ended for Panton Hill.
Playing-coach Dean Haydock left the field with a significant knee injury and didn’t return and his side never recovered.
In Haydock’s absence Mernda began to dominate possession as the quick legs of Aquilina, Jai Robinson and Jesse Owens-Draper ran the Redbacks midfield off their legs.
The Demons booted the final five goals of the first half to take a 22-point lead into the main break and the game was sealed 10 minutes into the third after consecutive goals to Jacob O’Donnell.
From there it was a procession. The Demons went on to remaining three goals of the renowned premiership quarter – keeping Panton Hill to just one behind in the process.
Skipper Rohan Davies was dominant through the midfield and then moved forward to boot a goal and set up another.
After being blanketed by Cameron Cawsey, competition leading goal kicker Jonathon Byron kicked his first goal in the fourth quarter to momentarily stop Mernda’s goal streak, however the Demons finished the game with the final five goals to keep their fans in raptures.
Wilson said watching the second-half unfold was a surreal experience as he guided Mernda back to Division 2 after only one season in the third division.
“I soaked it up and really enjoyed it and thanked everyone who was on the bench,” Wilson said.
“In my first year as coach to go through those feelings and emotions and knowing that it’s in the bag in the last quarter – I was just soaking everything up and it’s going to be a lifetime memory.”
Just minutes after tasting premiership success as a coach, he already had one eye looking towards next season.
“We’ve got a lot of good young kids here and they just need guidance and direction and they’ll get better and better as they go.
“We’ve picked up another guy who we signed two weeks ago and there are going to be a couple more that will come across and it’s going to be a really good year.”
In the meantime, the club is sure to soak up its first senior premiership in 21 years.
Final score: Mernda 19.18 (132) def Panton Hill 6.3 (39)
