By Liam Twomey
Braybrook is the Western Region Football League’s first division 3 premier after beating Albanvale by two points in a thrilling
grand final on Saturday.
It was far from smooth sailing for the Bombers, who gave up a lead of three points at half-time and five at three-quarter time to hand the ascendancy to the Cobras.
But the Bombers saved their best for last and stormed home in the final term to win 12.15 (87) to 12.13 (85).
It was Braybrook’s first premiership since 1999 when it beat Central Altona in the division 2 grand final.
Albanvale coach John Thrush said his players had left everything on the ground.
“I was really proud of the boys,” he said. “We had the momentum for probably the first five to 10 minutes of the game and we kicked four straight.
“To their credit they fought back. We held them off until 10 minutes to go before they got a couple in front. We kept fighting and nearly pinched it at the end but just couldn’t get there.”
Despite the result not falling their team’s way, Cobras duo Sean Blake and Justin Henderson were outstanding.
The pair combined for five goals and won a number of important contests to keep their side in the game.
“I thought Sean and Justin both played great games,” Thrush said.
“I was really happy with the effort from all the boys.
“It’s a bit raw to dissect the game at the moment and we haven’t been through that process yet.
“At the end of the day the guys had a crack and that’s all I can ask.”
For Braybrook, Peter Krueger and Frank Hoang were among the Bombers’ best.
In what was his first year in charge at Albanvale, Thrush and co-coach Adam Borg took the Cobras to their first grand final appearance since 2011.
Thrush said there were a lot of positive signs for the club.
“If you’d told me at the start of the season we’d play in the grand final and lose by two points, I probably would’ve taken the grand final without the losing bit,” he said.
“Hopefully, it gives us a chance to get some players here and we don’t lose too many.”
In other division 3 grand final results, Sanctuary Lakes won its first-ever reserves premiership, edging out Braybrook 11.20 (86) to 6.12 (48).
