Fields destroy Cardinals TO claim the cup
By Tommy Flanagan
Caulfield Grammarians are the 2019 Premier B Premiers after demolishing Old Scotch by 92 points in Saturday’s Grand Final in front of thousands of joyous CGFC supporters at Sportscover Arena.
The Fielders dominated from the outset and Scotch were unable to turn the tide at any stage throughout the contest.
Despite early inaccuracy in front of goal, observers noted a clear gulf in class between the two sides as the ball spent the majority of the first term deep in Caulfield’s forward half.
The second quarter was a clinical display from the Fields as the accuracy in front of goal improved and the advantage on the scoreboard rapidly accelerated.
By the end of the third term CGFC had piled on thirty scoring shots to the Cardinals’ nine and led the match by eleven goals going into the last change which was enough breathing space to allow the final thirty minutes to be thoroughly enjoyed by all involved with the club.
Caulfield’s star-studded engine room was magnificent from start to finish; ruckman Dec Reilly along with Jack Wallace, Will Edwards, Tim Nixon, Jack Webster, Theo Thompson, Will Barker and Brendon Goddard were all outstanding and the Cardinals had no answers.
The win is particularly sweet for Goddard who claims his first Senior Grade Premiership Medal following his legendary AFL career.
Forward of centre Caulfield were far too powerful for the Scotch defence; 2019 Premier B leading goalkicker Julian Dobosz took much of the Cardinals’ focus which allowed time and space inside 50 for the other dangerous Fields forwards.
Young superstar Lachie Stephens was named best on ground and was awarded the 2019 Ian Cordner Medal for a magnificent four-quarter display and Will Osborn, Nathan Page and Nick Baltas were at their crafty, elusive best throughout the match.
When Scotch did manage to go forward the Fields’ back six were organised behind the ball and consistently thwarted the Cardinals attempts to score.
Jared Risol, Jack Woodman and Nathan Peterson barely lost an aerial contest all day and Lachie Harris, Joe McClelland and Sam Dorevitch complimented the talls with hard-nosed ground level play and calm, precise ball use.
Perhaps the highlight of the day was Harris’ run-down tackle of Scotch captain Gene van der Brook who looked certain to goal from a point-blank range set shot in the third term but elected to play on and was collared by Harris to the sheer delight of the Fields’ faithful behind the goals.
The Senior Men's team are the third CGFC Premiership team for season 2019, following the Grand Final triumphs of the Men's Thirds team and Senior Women's team.
Next year the Fields will be striving for more glory in the William Buck Premier competition for the club’s centenary year of 2020. You beauty.
FINAL SCORES
CAULFIELD GRAMMARIANS 17.22 (124)
OLD SCOTCH 4.8 (32)
Goalkickers: Will Osborn 3, Lachie Stephens 2, Brendon Goddard 2, Julian Dobosz 2, Nathan Page 2, Jack Wallace 2, Will Barker, Tom Green, Tim Nixon, Theo Thompson
Best Players: Jack Webster, Lachie Stephens, Declan Reilly, Jack Wallace, Will Edwards, Will Osborn