James Murphy
IT went down to the wire but the South East men’s zone team earned the state bragging rights when it won the SA Country Championships over the weekend.
The final verdict came down to a single point, as the South East defeated Central 44-43 in Sunday’s grand final.
The win gave South East its fourth Country Championship title, while it marks the first success since the River Murrary Football League shifted to the Eastern zone.
South East entered the grand final as the underdog, but a huge team effort pushed them across the line after a high-quality display from both teams.
The weekend started on a less positive note, with a tough loss to the Eastern zone.
With only two games each to decide ladder position for Sunday’s finals, it was do-or-die for the South East in the second match against Northern.
Thankfully, an improved effort led by Hatherleigh’s Mark Marriott pushed them to a 33-point win and the percentage boost required to finish day one in second position.
Up against an undefeated Central in the decider, the scene was set for a tough game.
A strong start from the South East set up a handy lead in the first quarter and at the first change they held the advantage 22-6.
With a one-to-two goal breeze, the wind advantage swapped hands in the second term and a couple of unanswered goals from Central reeled the margin back in.
Just one behind for the quarter left the South East two points up at half time and it remained anyone’s game.
Brayden Kain came alive in the forward line in the third quarter and he both opened and closed proceedings in South East’s three-goal term.
In the end that was enough to hold Central at bay and despite a push in the final stanza, South East snagged a valuable behind which held off its opponent to clinch the win by a point.
South Gambier talent Todd Reid was named best on ground for the grand final, in a game where the backline proved the difference.
“He had a really solid carnival and played really well in the championship final across the half-back line,” head coach Jack Kelly said.
“He really stepped up to the plate – the whole backline in that last half was what won it for us.”
Tom Gaden, James Paprotny, Brad Bryant and Jacob Eats were also part of South East’s rock-solid defence and could hold their heads high after a strong performance.
Hatherleigh’s Mark Marriott was another standout across the championships and the ruckman proved the difference when it counted.
“He won our best player,” Kelly said.
“He is good around the ground, he is good below his knees and gave us first use in the ruck.
“I don’t think we would have gotten anywhere near winning it without big Mark.”
Kelly also gave credit to his on-field leaders, with captain Matt Willson showcasing his usual class across the weekend.
Vice captain Tom Whittesea was also solid in all three games and his three goals agaisnt Northern were a highlight.
Kelly described the weekend as a rewarding experience and could not have been happier with the way his team conducted itself.
“The grand final that was a ripping game of footy,” he said.
“We probably didn’t have the best zone side that we have had in previous years, but all of the players bought into the whole weekend and made friendships on the bus ride up and then played really good footy.”
Entering the grand final against a confident Central side, Kelly was impressed with the way the South East boys stepped up on the big stage.
“We definitely went in as the underdogs and came out on top by one point,” he said.
“It was really pleasing and really rewarding.
“Probably half the blokes are still going to play finals this year and still have an exciting five or six weeks of their normal season left.
“But for other blokes that was their grand final.”
The accolades for the South East were not confined to winning the main event and in addition to the state title, six players were named in the team of the championships.
That included Willson, who also earned the Don McSweeny medal for player of the championships.
He was joined by Tom Whittlesea, Brad Bryant, Mark Marriott, Pat Davies and Jacob Eats in that team.
Kelly, in his first stint as head coach, was also honoured with recognition as coach of the championships.
He was proud to receive the Bill Murdoch medal but credited the players and support staff for their input.
“Full credit to Ben McGregor from Port Mac and Nick Davis from Mundulla, the two assistant coaches,” Kelly said.
“As a group I thought we coached well.
“I get a medal at the end of the day, but a lot of the stuff behind the scenes was because of those two.
“Full credit goes to the blokes playing and the blokes behind the scenes.”
With one job in mind for the weekend, to be able to make it a reality was something special.
“Our role for the weekend was to go up there and play some good footy and win it – and we did that and ticked every box,” Kelly said.
“And it wasn’t from star players going out and kicking six goals on their left foot from the boundary line.
“It was just a massive team effort and we can throw a blanket over the whole team.
“Everyone played their role right from number one, down to 24.”
For those selected in the team of the championships, an opportunity to play state football now presents itself.
They will compete against country Western Australia in a curtain raiser to the Adelaide v Carlton AFL match at Adelaide Oval on July 30.
The team will be coached by Rick MacGowan, a two-time SANFL premiership Central Districts player and Jack Oatley medallist, who also spent two years at Hawthorn as assistant coach under Alastair Clarkson in 2008-10.
Men’s Team of the Championships
F: Sam DeMichele (E), Sid Masters (EP), Leigh Ryswyk (C)
HF: Steve Burton (C), Shane Ballantyne (N), Tom Whittlesea (SE)
C: Jack Kenny (EP), Troy Parker-Boers (E), Matt Willson (SE)
HB: Sam Tharaldsen (SD), Aseri Raikiwasa (EP), Giles Ellis (C)
B: Zane Montgomerie (EP), Ben Edwards (C), Brad Byant (SE)
R: Mark Marriott (SE), Tim Woolford (E), Pat Davies (SE)
INT: Luke Mitton (SD), Jed Woolford (EP), Jacob Eats (SE), Steve Jackson (N), Patrick White (C), Murphy Short (C)
