Laurimar are premiers of the Division Three Reserves competition for the first time after claiming a nail-biting seven-point win over the Fitzroy Stars at Main Street Recreation Reserve.
After leading by 36 points entering time-on in the 3rd term, the Power conceded six of the next seven goals, but crucially scored the final goal of the match to hang on in a 9.9 (63) to 7.14 (56) victory.
Laurimar’s Jacob Bateman starred from midfield in a congested grand final, using his run and carry to break the game apart, seeing him named the best on ground.
His midfield partner Ethan Jones also impressed, kicking an equal game high two goals alongside Billy Lambert who proved a headache for the Star’s defenders.
The Stars best footy often ran through the hands of the rapid Kanoa Mcgrath, while Gary Mongta offered clean use of the ball in difficult areas.
Joel Pritchard’s men got off to the perfect start as Joshua Walker claimed the grand-final’s first goal within two minutes, before a scrappy havoc filled term ensued.
Faced with a strong wind both teams struggled going forward as the next six scoring shots all resulted in behinds.
Jaidyn King’s speed on the wing offered the Star’s fanbase excitement, while Brian Hutchinson looked most lively up forward, but the Power headed into the first huddle with a narrow four-point lead.
Kai McCormack broke the goalscoring drought four minutes in after a 50-metre penalty put him within goalscoring range.
Corey Wanganeen answered back with a beautiful snap in the 13th minute, finally bringing the Stars’ first goal on their eight attempts.
The arm-wrestle continued for a goalless remainder of the term, with Dylan Grattan lifting his performance for the Power, while Gordon Bamblett put in some strong defensive efforts for the men in red, black and yellow.
As both teams entered the sheds for the half, the score displayed Laurimar 2.6 (18) to 1.7 (13) Fitzroy Stars at a jam-packed Main Street Recreation Reserve.
However, after a low-scoring slog the game soon sprung to life in its second interval.
Five unanswered goals was the tale of the third term, with Power skipper Jake Valvo, Ethan Jones, Jacob Bateman, Billy Lambert and Nicholas Storer piling on the agony for Fitzroy’s grand-final hopes.
After kicking just two-goals for the first half, 18 minutes of frenetic momentum swinging football put one hand on the cup for Laurimar as they surged to 36-point lead.
Robert Smith’s major inspired life back into the Stars, but Billy Lambert’s response again put the lead to a six-goal margin heading deep into time-on.
But continuing Fitzroy’s time-on resurgence, Luke Close snapped a vital drive to give their fans the belief they needed.
When the siren sounded, a 30-point turnaround seemed achievable with the backing of a fierce wind to the Main Street end in the final quarter.
The Stars looked like a team possessed from the first clearance, kicking two goals within the opening six minutes to spark the adrenaline of all around the pavilion.
The dangerous Brian Hutchinson worked the ball beautifully from left to right with the wind in the 11th minute, bringing his side within two-kicks.
Moments later, after winning a holding the ball free-kick from 25 metres out, Hutchinson slotted another goal and sent the Stars within two points.
Both sides threw themselves at every contest as time trickled past the 20th minute mark, before Laurimar’s Ethan Jones crucially found the big sticks.
It would prove the decisive blow in a classic grand final. The siren boomed in the 27th-minute, marking a momentous first reserves premiership for Laurimar in an all-time classic grand final.
