By DAVID NAGEL
BEACONSFIELD have been crowned the 2014 Casey Cardinia Football League premiers after a brilliant second half performance against Cranbourne at Edwin Flack Reserve on Saturday.
Clint Evans joined his father Rod as a senior premiership coach after his side kicked 13 goals to one after half-time for a 54-point triumph.
This was Beaconsfield’s 10th consecutive win and its ninth senior premiership; its first since 2004, and condemned Cranbourne to its third grand final loss in a row.
“I just didn’t know in the first half, we were nervous, just waiting again,” a relieved Evans said after the match.
“We missed a few shots early and their pressure was just right up, and we knew it would be, but we said it was a marathon, not a sprint, so we just kept on going.
“The last half of the second quarter I thought our pressure started to go up, and that’s when I thought if we were close enough at half-time, we’d be a chance.
“And the third quarter … well, what can you say.”
Beaconsfield’s 6.1 to 0.1 third term was the true definition of a ‘premiership quarter’, breaking Cranbourne hearts with its trademark high pressure and intensity. Beaconsfield had many good players on the day, but skipper Daniel Mislicki was outstanding.
Running hard on his way to five goals, ‘Slick’ was a clear and deserving winner of the AFL Vic Country Best on Ground Medallion.
Beacy has had a terrific blend of youth and experience this season, and youngsters Nick McPherson, Jayden Gee and Brandon White played significant roles in the victory, while club stalwart Damian Szwaja, full back Daniel Battaglin and champion ruckman Scott Meyer were other notable contributors.
For Evans, this is his third premiership with the club, backing up success as a player in 1999 and 2001. “Footy’s been my life since I was a kid, so to play in two flags when I was 20 and 22 and now to do it again 13 years later, all at Beacy … it’s just a special feeling.”
RESERVES
PAKENHAM had no answer to a ruthless Narre Warren, going down by 83 points in the reserves grand final on Saturday.
The Lions held on for dear life in the first half – just 22 points down at half-time – before the Magpies piled on 13 goals to three after the break.
Adam Alberni, Jason Williams and Sean Winsall kicked the Lions’ three goals, while Winsall was joined by Damo Talbot, Craig Gordon and Chris Cardona on the best players list.
UNDER 19
NARRE Warren made it back-to-back thirds titles with a 58-point premiership victory over Berwick.
The Wickers led at quarter-time, but the Magpies kicked six goals to none in the second quarter to set up the win.
Corey Machaya, Kurt Mutimer and Jackson Bianco kicked three each for the winners, while Brent Urwin was named best on ground by the umpires.
UNDER 17
WILDLY inaccurate kicking at goal couldn’t stop Berwick from winning a four-point thriller over Narre Warren.
The Wickers trailed -2.16(28) to 5.3(33) – at three-quarter time but goals to Luke Nelson and Trent Thomas saw coach Russel Trait join his son, and captain, Jarryd, on the premiership dais.
Jonathon Bishop and Mat McLardy joined Nelson and Trait as Berwick’s best.
