Meeting at the clubhouse to catch a charter bus, which would be taking us just the short 15 minute drive to Teralba Park, should have hinted that something special might occur.
Bardon Army – bus to the Grand Final. pic.twitter.com/rvKFBnzfgM
— Bardon (@BardonLatrobeFC) September 8, 2018
Mitchelton FC had a phenomenal regular season finishing some 17 points ahead of Bardon Latrobe in third, taking the premiership whilst only dropping points in 2 games.
Both teams struggled in the first half to get into a flowing game and when the heavens opened the players struggled even more. Mitchelton finally broke the deadlock just before the half time break with a scrappy goal that was headed in by #14.
The sun broke through after the downpour and a rainbow formed which Lawrence told me it was a sign we were going to win. I didn’t want to question the logic.
GOAL! Mitchy find the net with a powerful shot that hits the bar on the way in. MFC 2 – 0 BLFC.
— Bardon (@BardonLatrobeFC) September 8, 2018
Mitchelton then doubled their lead with a powerful strike that hit the underside of the crossbar before going in. Bardon Latrobe were then reduced to 10 men, Callum seeing red for foul language.
The 10 men of Bardon Latrobe rallied and threw everything at Mitchelton to try and get a goal. Finally a Barbera cross was met by Tim Good who smashed the ball home to give the team hope.
Mitchelton then had a chance to see off the game. The striker took the ball around Law who come to clear but the shot was cleared by the covering Lindsay.
Bounds, who had abandoned his post at centre back, was making for a menacing presence up front. The Mitchelton goalkeeper, believing he’d been given a free kick dropped the ball (to take the free kick) and Bounds pounced but his shot hit the post. In the resulting confusion the ball ended up in the net from a Mitchelton defender. It was pretty much the last kick of the game and we headed to penalties.
Matt Bromwich, deciding to make things interesting, missed the first penalty for Bardon Latrobe. Tim Good, Ross Parker and James Gatling all converted for Bardon Latrobe. Mitchelton, having scored all penalties to that point, missed their fourth. David Bounds converted penalty number five for Bardon Latrobe. And Mitchelton missed the fifth. Bardon Latrobe had won the Grand Final.
The winners:
Injured striker Matt Foote also collected his medal:
The celebrations began and the trip back on the bus to Bowman Park was, well, entertaining.
Photos of the day below provided by Jacqui Moore Moroney.
Thanks to the Bardon Army for mobilising and coming out in full support. Coach Gilbert Albertson has spoken about the lift it gave the team.
Finally, thank you to Mitchelton for hosting and playing in such good spirit – congratulations on your season.