By Cameron Noakes
The suffering continues for the Drysdale Hawks after it was cruelly bundled out of the Bellarine Football League finals yesterday, losing the preliminary final to Ocean Grove by five points.
The Hawks were the minor premier this year and were hoping to snap a 22-year-old drought that has seen them lose four grand finals.
But the Grubbers seem to make a habit of spoiling rival club’s dreams and, after trailing for the entire afternoon, they hit the lead when full-forward Paul “Froggy” Breguet goaled with just minutes remaining.
Ocean Grove is now into its 13th grand final since 1993 and during this reign it has won eight flags, played in 12 consecutive grand finals, and broken many hearts.
Next week the Grubbers will start long outsiders against Newcomb Power but the flag favourite will be very nervous against a club that constantly defies the odds.
In the Victorian Amateur Football Association, St.Bernard’s will be playing B-section football next year for the first time since 1991.
St.Bernard’s has been a powerful club in A-section for more than a decade, making five consecutive finals appearances from 2000 to 2004, including a run of three grand finals and the 2002 premiership.
But since former-Essendon great Simon Madden took over, the team has gradually slipped down the ladder and yesterday it was unable to overcome Old Scotch to fend off relegation, losing by 43 points.
St.Bernard’s loss was Old Trinity’s gain, despite it being thrashed by Old Brighton by 85 points.
Trinity is on the same points as St.Bernard’s but its better percentage means it has kept its spot in A-section next year.
Reigning premier Old Haileybury will also be playing B-section football next year, despite ending its season on a high with wins in its final two games.
It was a horror year for the Bloods who had not won a game up until last week and yesterday they chalked up their second win, defeating Old Ivanhoe, 13.12 (90) to 11.9 (75).
University Blues have sneaked into the finals after they defeated De La
Salle, 17.8 (110) to 8.19 (67).
The Blues pushed out Collegians on percentage, after the Lions lost to ladder leader and flag favourite Old Xaverians by nine points, 14.16 (100) to 16.13 (109).
It is the first time this year the Collegians have not been in the top four and they were unlucky yesterday, getting within two points of Xavs in the final term.
Next week, the Blues will play Old Ivanhoe in an elimination final and Xavs will play Old Brighton for a place in the grand final.
Article first appeared: The Age September 2 2007
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