Orbost Snowy Rovers played an inspired last term to overrun minor premier Lindenow to take the thirds grand final by eight points.
The Cats began the final term as three-point leaders and with some momentum after kicking four goals to two in the vital third term.
But the Blues weren’t going to die wondering, with what looked like the whole town in the stands supporting them, they rallied after coughing up a half time advantage, their counterattack both exciting and enough to win the game.
Kruze Farley (two goals) almost made something out of nothing early in the final term as running machines Bobby Bills and Jacob Farley continued to pump the ball inside 50.
The competition’s leading goalkicker, Angus Joiner, almost threaded a snap from the boundary line, cleverly evading several Cats, narrowing the margin to one point.
The crowd’s opinion was divided when Joiner was awarded a free kick for being held in the goal square, which the umpire adjudged correctly.
Joiner converted and the Blues supporters were up and about, their enthusiasm heightening when a turnover caused by pressure across half back, saw Jacob Farley run and bounce, kicking the ball through the middle from 40 metres.
Lindenow lifted its intensity, getting plenty of inside 50s, but it struggled to convert until a heavy collision between big cat Kobe Smith and Thomas Joiner saw the ball spill to Jarrell Hood (two goals) who snapped a major after missing several throughout the match, narrowing the margin to three points with seven minutes to play.
But enter game breaker, Jacob Farley, who kicked a sensational goal from a clearance close to goal, sealing the match and the best-on-ground award.
The Cats made one final tilt, Hood kicking a behind after Latrell Harrison got a free kick and a 50 metre penalty for an outstanding tackle.
Players from both teams cramped in the final minutes, the toll of a tough game obvious, as the siren sounded much to the delight of the Orbost players and supporters.
Earlier the match was an arm wrestle, with the first stanza only yielding a single goal, to Brayden Fenner, as the Blues led by four points at quarter time.
Jacob Farley was up and about for Orbost Snowy and Jeffrey Walker Jnr strong across half back, making life difficult for the Blues forwards.
Lindenow attacked numerous times, but its forwards struggled to play in front as Toby Herbert, Thomas Joiner, Finn Donnellan and Andrew Robinson defended stoutly.
The second quarter saw the Blues kick a couple of goals and Lindenow one, as the margin blew out to nine points by half time.
Kane Callaway was pumping the ball forward for the Cats, while Robinson was giving the Blues plenty of run and carry off half back.
Linkoln McGregor kicked Orbost’s first, before Hood responded, as Kruze Farley began to look more dangerous up forward, setting up Angus Joiner for his first.
Lindenow coach Richard Harrison read the riot act to his troops at half time and they immediately responded, a quick Hood handball setting up skipper Ben Rutherford, who ran into the square to make a good thing of it.
Titus Harrison was getting plenty of football into the forward 50 as the Cats forwards still struggled to capitalise, Smith being well held.
Young Tyrone Clifford was playing a good game on the wing, keen for his second premiership of the season, while Fletcher Kleinitz and Tyson Bills were getting their hands on it for the Blues.
Kruze Farley kicked his first goal mid quarter after a repeat effort from skipper Hugh Barnes, while Ned Hadden kicked one for the Cats shortly after finishing off the great work of Thomas Faithful.
Faithful was again in the action a couple of minutes later, as Smith goaled after a shepherding infringement, the Cats in front and running hard, appearing to outnumber the Blues at most contests.
Callaway’s goal extended the lead, as Adam and Liam Irish were getting plenty of ball for the Cats,
Kruze Farley’s second for the morning set the game up for an exciting finale.
FINAL SCORES
Orbost Snowy 1.1 3.2 5.3 8.5 (53)
Lindenow 0.3 1.5 5.6 6.9 (45)
GOALS – Orbost Snowy: J. Farley, K. Farley, A. Joiner 2; B. Fenner, L. McGregor. Lindenow: J. Hood 2; K. Callaway, N. Hadden, B. Rutherford, K. Smith.
BEST – Orbost Snowy: J. Farley, A. Robinson, T.Herbert, T. Joiner, T. Bills, F. Kleinitz. Lindenow: not supplied.
