SEAGULLS SNATCH THRILLING ‘FAIRYTALE’ WIN OVER IMPS
BARWON Heads coach Angus Christian described the season as a “fairytale” after the fourth-placed Seagulls came from behind late to snatch a thrilling one-point victory over the Colac Imperials in yesterday’s Division 2 grand final.
The Seagulls booted the first two majors of the match but had to wait until the final quarter until their next goal after the Imperials skipped ahead late.
But the Seagulls managed to get their noses in front, thanks to a match-winning goal from Emma Allen.
A frantic final minute followed until the siren sounded with the final score being 4.9 (33) to 4.8 (32), with best-onground being awarded to Kristie-Lee Drake.
“It’s a pretty incredible feeling, not just to be a premiership coach but to be doing it with this group who didn’t have a lot of experience at the start of the year and we didn’t have a lot of numbers but it feels like a fairytale.” Christian said after the game.
Christian praised the contested work of the Imperials and credited Allen, Stephanie Clay and ruck Phoebe Steinfort for their crucial work in the final term.
“Each game these girls just keep getting better and they love the challenge and they keep striding,” he said.
Christian also said he hoped to continue coaching the side next year.
Imperials coach Tim Hassett felt the lack of run late in the match was a key in his side’s heartbreaking defeat, but was pleased with how his team recovered after a slow start.
“It was about momentum and being competitive and impacting the contest and that was the difference in getting us back into it — we always knew the tide would turn,” Hassett said.
“They’re quite a physical and competitive side, so I thought if we got the ball on the outside a bit more it would have gone a long way towards us winning the game,” he said.
Hassett also said he was proud of his inexperienced squad.
“Their willingness to compete, we haven’t got a team of champions, everyone just wants to play for each other and to see their disappointment is recognition of a good team,” Hassett said.