Misty eyes transformed Bairnsdale Oval into a kaleidoscope of red and white as Stratford Football-Netball Club supporters inundated the field at the final siren in celebration of the Swans’ 14.9 (93) to 10.13 (73) triumph over Wy Yung in a transfixing East Gippsland Football-Netball League Grand Final.
For many of us, Saturday, September 3 was just like any other day, another Saturday in a fleeting weekend, but for Stratford FNC senior football team, September 3 marked the final chance to prove the past few months of blood, sweat and tears were all for something.
Saturday was Stratford’s final chance to prove their worth as EGFNL’s best, to prove that they truly are strong and bold, as their theme song suggests.
As the clock struck 2.15pm, the sun shone through the gaps in the clouds, illuminating the oval grass surface and caressing the thousands of faces who flocked in droves to witness the Grand Final, as if to say everyone is here, you may begin.
The Tigers got the jump on the Swans in the first quarter, kicking 6.4 (40) to 5.1 (31).
It was a slow start to the second quarter in terms of scoring and, although Wy Yung’s defensive line saw more of the play than their forwards, the Tigers had scrounged up one point by the time the second quarter had reached its 10th minute.
Let the scoring frenzy begin.
Stratford-playing coach Jarryd Clohesy made a run down the wing, shut down by a tackle from Wy Yung’s Brodie Anderson, but prohibited contact, a ‘nice’ shove to the back, from Thomas Stephenson saw Clohesy awarded a free kick just outside the 50.
A kick to Haydn Erfurth at full forward contested by Wy Yung’s Jobe Somerville and Mitchell Dewar saw the ball cleared, and a mark by Stratford wing Regan Tait to keep the Swans in their attacking half.
Tait sent the ball forward to Timothy Hawkins.
Hawkins launched into the air, hands at the ready when Wy Yung’s Michael Young found the Swans’ shoulders with his own hands, awarding Stratford a free kick inside 50.
Hawkins kicked a goal, closing the gap 6.5 (41) to 6.1 (37).
The Tigers bit back; a quick point followed by a goal from a 50-metre penalty saw Wy Yung back in a nine-point lead 15 minutes in.
In a snap moment, the Swans took flight as if to say, ‘not a chance Wy Yung. We want this; this game is ours’.
And oh how they wanted it.
A mark on the wing from Tait sent the ball to Hawkins on the 50-metre line. Hawkins rocketed the ball towards the goal, stunningly marked by Andrew Scott inches from the goal line.
Wy Yung 7.6 (48), Stratford 7.1 (43).
Like Daddy Cool’s Eagle Rock at the local pub, the Swan’s chucked their play on repeat.
This time it was Erfurth taking a mark on the goal line, kicking one of his four goals of the game.
Eighteen minutes into the second quarter and the Swans had a one-point lead.
Minutes later, the ball was back in the Swan’s forward 50, and Erfurth set up for a free kick just off the boundary line.
And it was a little too much curve on that banana from Erfurth, the ball going in for a behind.
In the final minute of the second quarter, Rodney O’Keefe added another goal for Stratford, putting the Swans at an 8.3 (51) to 7.6 (48) lead over the Tigers as teams headed into the main break.
As teams returned to the field, fierce energy pulsated from the army of spectators that had grown even larger.
The Swans hit the ground running, scoring a goal within the first few minutes, but as quickly as Stratford extended their lead over Wy Yung, they lost it.
Norman Betts and Brad Daniel kicked two goals for Wy Yung, seeing the Tigers regain the lead 16 minutes into the third.
At 21 minutes, it looked as if the Swans had plateaued, and the Tigers remained in front by four.
Twenty-three minutes and five seconds into the third quarter, a free kick to Stratford had Scott score his second goal of the match, putting Stratford back in the lead by one, 10.5 (65) to 9.10 (64), as they entered the final break.
Jarryd Clohesy’s three-quarter time speech may have been a bit too colourful for young ears, but the passion from the Stratford coach as he addressed his team was enough to give anyone listening goosebumps.
“We want this more than them. This is what you’ve worked so hard for over the past few months. I know the legs are (expletive) hurting but let’s show everyone who thought we couldn’t (expletive) do it that we can. This is our game,” Clohesy said.
After a truly inspirational speech, it was no surprise when the Swans returned to the field for the final quarter stronger than ever.
And in 58 seconds, Hawkins kicked a goal for Stratford.
Another minute down and another goal for Stratty.
Clohesy found the ball, making headway down the field. The crowd roared as Stratford’s coach pressed closer and closer to the forward 50.
A fumble, the crowd gasped.
Recovery.
A slip, twice, three times, the crowd laughed benevolently.
The ball was out, found by the quick hands of Jack Bacon.
Bacon rocketed the ball toward the goal, found by Erfurth inside the 50.
The tension was electrifying.
It was two-on-one, dodging Wy Yung’s Dylan Somerville and Mitchell Toms with a quick turn; Erfurth took his shot.
Behind. One point for Stratty.
The Swans were in full flight, kicking another goal and another and another.
Wy Yung kicked a goal and two behinds in the game’s final minutes, but it was too little too late for the Tigers. The final siren sounded, and Stratford claimed the 2022 East Gippsland FNL premiership cup.
“It is pretty amazing; The Weekly Times wrote us off at the start of the season and said we would be the biggest sliders, so to prove them and the haters wrong is the most amazing thing,” Clohesy said post-game.
“I am so proud of the boys, I could only pick 21 for today, but there are 40 odd players at this club who this is for, the supporters, the sponsors, everyone involved with the club, it’s all for them.”
Jack Bacon was best on ground, presented with a trophy at the presentation.
Clohesy, Scott, Erfurth and Hawkins were stand-out players for Stratford, while Betts, Toms, Michael Young, Jock Overend, Nicholas Ward and Brad Daniel were best for the Tigers.
It was an incredibly emotional end to the game, with beers, tears, smiles and hugs as the Swans celebrated their accomplishment with their friends and families.
A celebration that will undoubtedly surpass the weekend.
“(Beers) I’d say are definitely on the cards,” Clohesy said.
“I just want to say sorry to me boss, I won’t be in on Tuesday, I don’t think.”
