The Master Player becomes the Master Coach

St Kevin’s OB are well and truly in a dynasty. They’re in rare air after claiming the 2022 William Buck Premier title over Old Brighton by 22 points.

Three Premierships from the previous four completed seasons. 2017, 2018 and now 2022.

A weekend of challenging conditions saw the game moved late on Saturday afternoon from Elsternwick Park to Trevor Barker Oval. A big crowd turned out to stand around the boundary and support the best two sides of the 2022 season.

As we all expected, a tight, contested opening quarter of footy ensued. Hamish Dick had the chance to kick the first goal of the day but missed. It took a Shaun Kennedy mark and goal from 50m to open the account after 17.30 minutes of play. Old Brighton, through Felix Flockhart late in the term levelled the scores.

A goalless second term followed, as the rain came tumbling down it didn’t dissipate the enthusiasm and fight for the contest. SKOB were able to add seven behinds to their score, Old Brighton one. A half-time lead of six points, with Conor Ross leading the St Kevin’s press and stopping any attack forward the Tonners could produce.

Much like the first half, the premiership quarter followed suit. The rain for the moment held off, goals were at a premium and again it was Shaun Kennedy who slotted his second and gave the St Kevin’s fans a big lift, his celebration worthy of a highlight in itself. Hamish Dick replied for Old Brighton and with the margin under 10 points nearing the final change it was anyone’s guess how the final term would play out.

Enter Jack Darmody, late in the quarter, earning himself a free kick in the pocket, the rising star nominee cooly slotted the goal of the day to give St Kevin’s a 15 point buffer at three quarter time. The margin, extended to 21 in the opening minute of the final term as again Darmody slammed home his second goal.

The conditions played into the hands of St Kevin’s defensive press. They were able to lock it up, close down space, cause congestion and give the Old Brighton midfield little room. Harry Hill, Darby Hipwell, Tom Fisher, Tom Yorgey and Max Kennedy kept willing themselves to every contest, pushing the ball forward. Harry Hill took a towering pack mark 15m out from goal, only for it to be denied and a free kick against the Tonners. Alfie Jarnestrom produced a piece of magic to bring the margin back under three goals but time was the enemy of Old Brighton.

With only 2 minutes remaining the ball spilled free at 50m for St Kevin’s, from Tom Jok to Luke Winter and the best player for St Kevin’s all season long sealed the deal. St Kevin’s pushed 22 points ahead with the number one team in the home and away season, solidifying their place and the top of the mountain.

Old Brighton, will be understandably disappointed in the final result, but they can hold their heads high. They pushed and prodded the best teams in the competition all season long, and have played scintillating footy in the previous three games to get to the Grand Final.

Conor Ross through the first half was enormous in defence, going back with the flight, producing big tackles. Supported by Josh Tynan in defence. The big ruckman Will Coates had a moment of panic hurting his knee in the first term, only to come back on the ground and fight through the pain on his way to another Premiership medal. Tom Jok earned himself the Jock Nelson Medal as the best player on the ground, winning his fair share of the footy in the midfield, also tackling ferociously, gut running up and down the wing, and then providing class on the outside.

The coach, Anthony ‘Plugger’ Lynch. A living legend of St Kevin’s, for all of his successful on-field deeds takes over the coaching role at the beginning of the season and implements a gamestyle the holds up at any venue, on any day, in any conditions. There’ll be no one prouder at T H King than him for what his team has achieved.

The master player becomes the master coach.

St Kevins OB    1.3-9    1.10-16    3.14-32    5.16-46
Old Brighton     1.3-9    1.4-10      2.5-17      3.6-24

Goal Kickers:
St Kevin’s: J. Darmody 2, S. Kennedy 2, L. Winter.
Old Brighton: F. Flockart, H. Dick, A. Jarnestrom.

Best Players:
St Kevin’s: T. Jok, C. Ross, J. Tynan, W. Coates, L. Winter, J. Holden.
Old Brighton: H. Dick, A. Jarnestrom, Q. Montanaro, W. Lewis, F. Flockart, M. Kennedy.

Watch the full match replay >