GREENSBOROUGH was crowned the Division 1 under-19 premier for the third successive year after a comfortable 25-point grand final win over Montmorency.
It was both Greensborough’s brilliant midfield play and strong defence throughout the entire game that allowed it to complete the three-peat with a 6.17 (53) to 3.10 (28) victory at Preston City Oval.
Montmorency has been on the receiving end of all three of Greensborough’s grand final wins, and was again unable to stop the Boro this year despite finishing the home and away season atop the ladder.
Mitch Hill was the well deserved winner of the best on ground medal, while Harrison White and Michael Croxford also impressed in the triumph.
For Montmorency Jackson Jones and Ethan Miller-Gaff toiled hard, despite their side never being able to put any real scoreboard pressure on the Boro.
Despite losing the coin toss, Greensborough kicked with the wind to the city end in the first term and used the advantage to full effect.
The Boro kicked the only three goals of the quarter, including two majors to Luciani highlighted by an impressive set shot goal from a difficult angle, to take a 23-point lead into quarter time.
Montmorency had the opportunity to make amends with the wind in its favour as the second quarter commenced.
However a mix of Greensborough’s defensive pressure and the Magpies poor kicking didn’t allow the minor premier any scoring advantage with the wind, only managing four behinds for the quarter.
The Boro had control of the match as the sides headed to the half time break, leading by 20 points in a low-scoring affair.
With Montmorency desperate to find spark, the third quarter was a much anticipated one.
However, Greensborough again dominated the quarter, using the wind to kick the only two goals of the term through Basil Psarakos and Jacob Pickett.
Despite the Boro controlling all the play, they didn’t make full advantage on the scoreboard, adding nine behinds to their tally, to take 39-point advantage into the final change.
Looking down and out and still without a goal at three quarter time, Montmorency looked to turn things around in the last as it aimed to make a comeback.
Despite Luciani opening the scoring into the wind in the final term with his third major, Montmorency made some significant improvements, with much cleaner player through the midfield.
The midfield charge was rewarded up forward by Jackson Jones, who kicked three unanswered goals for the Magpies to bring the margin back four goals in time-on.
But it was too little too late for the Magpies as the Boro held on for the 25-point victory and their third flag in as many years.
Final score: Greensborough 6.17 (53) def Montmorency 3.10 (28)
