THE region turned black and blue on Sunday when International put on an impressive display to win four out of the five Limestone Coast Football Association grand finals hosted by Gambier Centrals.
The highlight of the day – the A Grade clash between Inter and Apollo – lived up to expectations, with the match going down to the wire and both teams holding the lead at different times throughout.
However, in the end Inter’s hard-hitting second half saw it hold a 3-2 lead at the final whistle and finish it’s 2017 season undefeated.
The game began as expected as the rivals locked horns in a battle for the first goal, with solid play coming from both ends of the pitch.
This struggle eventually saw Matthew Bueti put Inter on the board as he scored his first of three goals for the match.
But the lead was short-lived, as Apollo prevented Inter from carrying momentum into the break, scoring the equaliser through Brody Heenan.
With the scores level at half time, the second term saw Apollo attack with confidence.
These efforts were eventually rewarded when Erike Irakoze converted a penalty shot to give Apollo a 2-1 lead.
Pressure was high from both sides and Inter pushed hard to level the scores again, with the golden ticket coming in the form of a penalty kick awarded to Bueti.
With the scores tied once more, Apollo appeared to be slightly on the back foot, as Inter continued to apply pressure to every position on the field.
Apollo goal keeper Ben Morris was in fine form and his experienced hands prevented Inter from running away on the scoreboard, while Lachlan Bytheway was also at his best as he provided a difficult opponent for Inter strikers.
However, Bueti secured his hat-trick midway through the second half, putting his team in the lead once more.
From there the scores remained unchanged, despite the hardy efforts from both Inter and Apollo.
Inter coach Tony D’Agostino said the focus of the first half was to hold strong while playing against the wind, as he knew his team could capitalise in the second term.
“There was a bit of wind and we knew in our first half we had to defend well,” he said.
“We gave a goal away that equalised it at one-all, but we would have been happy with 0-0 at half time against the wind.
“In the second half we went out and I think we changed it – we pushed a bit more forward and created a lot more chances.
“You create chances, you create goals.”
With nerves high for supporters and players alike in the second term, D’Agostino said he knew his team had the ability to pull itself back into the game.
“When we were 2-1 down I was worried,” he said.
“But I always believe in my players and that they have the ability to come back.
“They just don’t know how to give up.
“And as it was, Matt Bueti come through again with a goal.”
Inter’s Ricky McRobert took out the umpire’s best-on-ground award for the match for his solid work in the backline, while he was joined by a long line of contributors on the team.
“There were so many players who I thought were exceptional,” D’Agostino said.
“Nick Morony was brilliant in the back with McRobert and of course Matt Bueti, but Christian Cella – his hard running through the middle to set up that third goal was superb.
“Sam Bueti just kept running and Will Circelli was brilliant.
“I could name the whole team and so I’m just going to say I’m so proud of every one of them.”
With Inter having already won three grand finals prior to the A Grade spectacle, the pressure was on the senior side to add another element to the day’s celebrations.
“It is such a big thing for us to have our A Grade, Reserves and Under 17’s – which are our three big teams – all win,” D’Agostino said.
“And then our Under 14’s also came through.
“It just sort of puts the icing on the cake that we won it.
“For the club it was a great achievement.”
When asked about the 2018 season, D’Agostino said the focus for now is to rejoice in the achievements of this year.
“At the moment we are just going to celebrate,” he said.
“Then we’ll worry about next year and what happens – who we’ve got, who is still around or who’s leaving.
“At the moment we aren’t thinking about next year.”
