The 2010 Grand Final Football Record did not list a player in the #1 jumper. Perhaps it should have, because the coach of a senior football side virtually holds the fate of the entire club in his hands. Coaching is more than just delivering the pre-match address. It’s about the countless hours spent studying the opposition, devising tactics, getting the match-ups right and sometimes making the tough calls to drop players for a grand final.
It’s also about getting inside the hearts and minds of his players and convincing them they are good enough to win a premiership flag. Glenn Garner deserves every accolade he will receive from Eagles supporters and footy fans in general for conceiving the game plan that would not only take East Coast to their fourth grand final in five years, but defeat a Sydney Uni side that had lost just two matches for the season.
Three months ago, when Garner came to the realisation that injury had permanently curtailed his own lengthy playing career, he stated in his own humble way that nothing less than getting a premiership for the players and the club was his goal. He then set about applying even more of his time plotting just how that would come about. Not many saw East Coast as a chance to even make the big dance, but Garns had the players convinced they could do it. And he gave them the instructions on how they would do it.
Thus on Saturday, September 18, the East Coast Eagles achieved one of the hardest things to do in team sport: back to back premierships. Whilst the euphoria of the 2009 victory will never be forgotten, this year’s triumph easily surpassed that when Garner moulded a champion team together after no fewer than 12 members of last year’s winning side had retired or moved on to further their football careers interstate.
The day was perfect for football with a large and enthusiastic crowd inside the Blacktown Stadium and a slight breeze blowing to the northern end. It was difficult at times to distinguish supporters as the noise from both was at times deafening, not to mention that blue and gold were the colours of both clubs. Uni won the toss and kicked with the breeze. At quarter-time, they led by 15 points but this was to be the only quarter they won. The Eagles had a strong second term and the margin was just three points at half-time.
Fresh from his Phelan Medal disappointment, Damien Bowles had a first half he will remember for a long, long time. He was absolutely dominant all over the ground which clearly set up his Rod Podbury Medal win for best-on-ground in the grand final. Fellow namesake Charleston was everywhere Bowles wasn’t. ‘Charlie’ continued his outstanding finals form with a wonderful grand final performance.
Garner had reminded his troops at half-time that their third quarter would set up the game for them. Ben Physick and Rowan Bilkey returned after being stitched up by the doctor following separate head clashes, Jon Vlatko showed the way with an inspirational second half, Kieran McRedmond shrugged off a persistent hamstring injury to play his best game of the year and the tireless midfield tyros of Fitton, Beardsley, Costello and Spiteri made life difficult for the Students.
At three-quarter-time, East Coast held a four-point advantage and, with the use of the breeze, they were in the preferred position. But Uni were not to be denied and took the initiative right up to and past the Eagles and suddenly it was game on. But after Garner made some crucial changes, Peter Dugmore put the Eagles back in front at the five-minute mark, Steve O’Connor took a free kick and nailed it from just inside the 50-metre arc. Jack Dimery then found Dugmore with a long raking left footer from halfback and East Coast had edged up to the final 17-point margin. Dugmore showed his courage by kicking those couple of last-quarter goals with a left foot he knew was there, but couldn’t feel, such was the effect of the painkilling needles.
And then the final siren sounded to signify a courageous and inspirational victory for 22 guys and a coaching staff who had given their all for the East Coast Eagles Football Club.
Congratulations are extended to Kristian Pearson and Darren Chapman who have announced their retirement from senior football after wonderful careers in Brisbane and Sydney.
Sydney Uni 4.3 7.5 9.7 10.10 (70)
East Coast 2.0 7.2 10.5 13.9 (87)
Goals: Peter Dugmore 3, Damien Bowles 2, Daniel Spiteri 2, Damien Charleston, Mike Beardsley, Trent Baker, Mark Goodey, Steve O’Connor, Jamie Vlatko
Best: Damien Bowles, Damien Charleston, Jack Dimery, Jon Vlatko, Peter Dugmore, Kieran McRedmond
Earlier in the day, East Coast’s U/18 Premier Cup lads met Sydney Uni in their grand final. In a titanic, seesawing struggle, scores were tied at the final siren after 100 minutes of scintillating football. Ten minutes of extra-time were required to sort out the deadlock, with Sydney Uni gaining the advantage to go on and win by six points.
Disappointed, but not disgraced, the Eagles held their heads high post match.
Sydney Uni 3.2 6.5 10.7 15.9 (99)
East Coast 3.2 7.2 10.3 15.3 (93)
Goals: Josh Patira 4, Ethan Barclay 3, Damon Steer 2, Dominic Killworth 2, Matthew Newson, Jonathon Spencer, Aaron Savage, Michael Nance
Best: Josh Patira, Campbell Ford, Jake Pianta, Michael Nance, Dominic Killworth, Ethan Barclay
