Rovers win out in low scoring thriller over Brigades to claim third premiership in four years

Rovers’ momentum defied history as they claimed a stunning upset win over Brigades in the 2022 GNFL premiership decider 8.9 (57) to 6.9 (45). No team has won from outside the top two since 1996 when the Rovers themselves were on the receiving end of an upset from Mullewa. But the Demons had won their last five in a row including their last meeting with Brigades and got off to a hot start when Dylan Curley slotted the opener with a well-taken shot on the 45 after the tight opening exchanges. Brigades responded as Kristerfer Ryder got his first, the electric small forward working in tandem with experienced tall Dale Williamson continuing the pair’s domination for the Hawks all season. Gabriel Parfitt was everywhere early and he swooped on a loose ball in the attacking 50, danced around two defenders then snapped around his body to get the Demons’ second. They found a third as Williamson missed what should’ve been a regulation goal as Rovers led by 14 at the first break. Godfrey Curley and Farren Parfitt then piled on the pressure to make it four straight for the Demons. The Hawks were in desperate need of a settler and Williamson finally converted and should have had more but hung his next two shots out to the left to leave him with 2.4 for the day so far. Jamie Ryder finally converted the Hawks’ dominance into a score with a fantastic goal on the run to bring the margin to within two goals. Williamson then nailed a snap from the contest in contrast to his set shot kicking to bring the margin into single figures and heap pressure on the Demons. But Curley stepped up to stem the tide, just getting his kick away to allow the Rovers to take a 12-point lead into the main break. Williamson missed a golden opportunity to put the Demons back under pressure as he missed his set shot out on the full before Parfitt kicked his second at the other end. The teams were then locked in a midfield dogfight as tensions boiled over in a brief mellee which saw Kristerfer Ryder yellow carded to hamper the Hawks further. Jy Thurston then slotted truly to take the margin out to four goals, but Williamson finally got one through the middle to see the Hawks trail 56-37 at the final break. The Rovers could taste victory and just needed to hold on and while Kris Ryder kicked his second early in the quarter it was to be the last major of the game as the Demons won their third flag in four years. Chris Scott was named best on ground for his excellent work and leadership in the middle as ex-Rover Liam Ryan was on hand to present the medal and join in the team celebrations. For Brigades, they had the better running but could not hit the scoreboard often enough which was compounded by an off day from Williamson who finished with 3.5 and one out on the full. Rovers president Daniel Starling said it was always a bit sweeter when you do it the hard way. “It’s always more appreciated and more valued when you do it the hard way,” he said. “We were told we couldn’t do it from third spot but the cup’s just over there and will have our name on it shortly.”