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Season 2007 has ended - and we are proud to let you know that the undefeated Yeronga Senior team has achieved back-to-back premierships by bowling over Caloundra by 47 points. With success in the 2006 and 2007 seasons, this is the first time the Club has achieved consecutive premiership since 1910-1911. Also, the Reserves made the Grand Final for the second year in a row - and probably rue the fact the game did not end two minutes earlier, after going under by 2 points to Coorparoo near the death of the game. The road to the Grand Final proved to be smooth travelling for the Seniors, after defeating Caloundra by 97 points in the Semi-Final. In that game, played at Yeronga, there was a tight tussle for the first half of the match, with a lead gradually building in the third term, and finally the visitors blown away in the final quarter as the Devils piled on ten unanswered goals. Everyone was brilliant that day in a great all-round performance. A relatively similar story unfolded in the Grand Final. With the game played at Coorparoo (Home Base of the Lions) on a stinking hot day, a strong crowd of loyal supporters gathered for the great battle. Caloundra also bussed a large number of vocal followers to the game. Caloundra kicked with the wind for the first quarter. It was a massive battle, as the Panthers appeared determined to make up for some lost pride from the previous final a fortnight earlier. Yeronga started better with the first two goals of the game to Neil Conlan - but Caloundra kept making every contest a brutal excursion into pressure for the Minor Premiers. All possessions to each side were gathered under great duress and attention, well-earned yet hurried. Caloundra came back with a two goals of their own - and although a couple of opportunities available for the Devils were not successful, to lead by one point at the first break, despite kicking into the wind, was not such a bad result. Quarter Time: Yeronga 2 - 3 - 15 to Caloundra 2 - 2 - 14 The second quarter was more of the same. With some sniping and a stack of aggressive tackles, it looked as if lesser players would start to crumble. Yet to the credit of all Devils, our players withstood the challenge each time - although occasionally, the mercury shot through the top of the thermometers of composure. A wrestle started between a few players, and one from each team was sent off. However, whilst our man went straight off, his Caloundra combatant wanted to argue with the umpire, going just a little too far with the swearing, to receive a red card and the rest of the day off. We certainly were not playing well, a lot of players were way down on recent performances - yet with the breeze, Yeronga kicked two goals for the quarter, and importantly, held Caloundra goalless. It was not "text book" play - but in a low-scoring clash, a small lead was building. Half Time: Yeronga 4 - 8 - 32 to Caloundra 2 - 3 - 15 After a reasonable blast from Tom Corless at the break, and the chance to relax and cool down in the air-conditioning of the Lions' change rooms (believe it or not), Yeronga emerged for the final half, knowing that Caloundra's best chance of success for the day would depend upon the next thirty minutes. Withstand that, and we were good shows to take the game. Just like the first quarter, Yeronga won the term by one point going against the wind. Three goals to both teams, with Yeronga scoring first, and Caloundra responding throughout the quarter. The Devils would creep a little further ahead, and then be pegged back again by the Panthers reply. At the end of the term, Yeronga held an eighteen point lead. There was confidence going into the final huddle, but it was far from a done deal yet. Three-Quarter Time: Yeronga 7 - 10 - 52 to Caloundra 5 - 4 - 34 The term began disastrously as Caloundra swept the ball from the centre to post the first goal of the quarter and reduce the lead to twelve points. But then, like two weeks earlier, Caloundra seemed to fall away, as the Devils took control. Yeronga kicked seven of the final eight goals of the game, making it look like it was an easy victory. That certainly was not the case, but it was still very satisfying. Goals were spread around as 10 players scored our fourteen goals for the day. Caloundra were getting frustrated but could no longer hold up much resistance. With maybe about seven minutes left in the game, Jeremy Mackie evaded a tackle, hooked the ball across his body towards the goal, with a bounce that broke just right to bring up the sealer for the day. It was all just entertainment from that point on as Yeronga continued on for a 47 point victory. Full Time: Yeronga 14 - 10 - 94 defeated Caloundra 7 - 5 - 47 Goals: Ryan 3, Conlan 2, Hayles 2, Cutler 1, Ellis 1, Hines 1, Kaye 1, Mackie 1, McDonald 1, Quirk 1 Great games were played by Alex Gregoriou (who deservedly won the Best On Field Medal), Jacob Thomlinson, Michael Cutler, Jeremy Mackie, Glenn Hayles, Cameron James, Shannon McDonald, and Jonathan Jennings. A highlight for the Club was that the victorious team included nine players different to the team that defeated Wynnum by 18 points in 2006. It was a great result - and we know if we can retain most of the same team for 2008, plus bring in some new faces to the Club, we will be a strong challenge for any other Club again.
Compare the 2006 Grand Final to 2007. In 2006, our Reserves played University, and were smashed in the first quarter - then for the rest of the game, in torrential unyielding rain, worked their way back into the match. Inaccuracy was costly. In 2007, Yeronga jumped from the blocks to kick six goals in the first quarter and keep Coorparoo scoreless. The Kings fought back well in the second term, outscoring us by three goals. We led at half time by sixteen points, but our team had lost the ability to move forward with enough control to score. The third term was particularly demoralizing as we had the wind, but did not trouble the scoreboard once. The final quarter showed great determination, as we battled to hold on to nine point lead. And for much of the term, we did just that. It took about half the term for Coorparoo to score a goal and narrow the margin to less than a straight kick - and yet we still clung to the lead. Several chances to score when moving forward were wasted - and our moment seemed gone, when with less than two minutes left in the game, Coorparoo took the lead with a final goal. There may have still been time for the Reserves to regain the lead with a very late goal, but we appeared exhausted. And having kicked only one point in the whole second half, another goal felt a long way off. Full Time: Yeronga 7 - 3 - 45 lost to Coorparoo 7 - 5 - 47 Goals: Gay 3, Schneider 1, Dunstone 1, Shannon 1, Veprek 1 Good players included Dan Robinson, Mitch Shannon, Gary Richter, Paul Whiffin, Blake Heggen, Paul Gay, and Brad Miller. Although everyone felt frustrated and disappointed with the result.
We now look forward to 2008 - of having three open grade teams again, and hopefully an Under Eighteens team. If you would like to become a part of the Yeronga Devils, contact us now to let us know your interest: devils@YerongaFC.com.au
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