Cavaliers victorious

The final three goals of the game secured the premiership for the Peel Cavaliers in the Great Southern Colts Carnival grand final against the Great Southern Football League at the weekend in Kulin.

In a match where the lead did not exceed two goals for the entire contest, Peel finally broke the GSFL resistance late in the last quarter with the final three goals of the contest to win, 12.11 (83) to 9.12 (66).

The gripping final quarter saw four lead changes as both sides went goal for goal after struggling for supremacy for the first three quarters.

The GSFL dominated the early inside 50 count of the quarter and made the most of their opportunities with goals to Casey Ganzer and livewire Jayson Ford, who booted his third goal to give the GSFL an eight-point lead.

Ford was dangerous early but left the field with a hip injury before returning to bob up at a crucial stage.

However, Peel responded with full forward Clay Smith booting two goals for the term as the GSFL were unable to muster a late surge after Logan Stubber booted his third goal from the midfield.

Stubber (22 disposals) and captain Zane Marwick (33) were influential through the midfield for the GSFL while Matt Palfrey and Nick Barrow stood up deep in defence.

Palfrey’s daring runs from defence provided an ideal springboard for the GSFL to attack which assisted Barrow who was rarely beaten at full back.

The GSFL were undersized against much bigger opposition but used their pace to advantage in the first half, but turnovers through the middle of the expansive ground proved costly. Only one goal was kicked in a tight and often frantic second quarter as the GSFL led at the major break by seven points.

Palfrey’s run and carry resulted in Aidan McKenzie booting an important goal to start the third quarter but the Cavaliers refused to go away and regained the lead on the eve of the three-quarter time siren to lead by three points.

The Cavaliers had not led since booting the first goal of the match but finished the stronger with a five goal to three final quarter.