A long time in the wilderness, but finally …

By Mark Gullick
CRANBOURNE broke its 16-year premiership drought with a hard-fought 21-point victory over Narre Warren to win the Casey Cardinia Football League premiership on Saturday.
The massive crowd that packed into Edwin Flack Reserve at Berwick was thrilled with the match, which was closer than they expected.
It wasn’t until the final minutes that Cranbourne finally shook its dogged opponents after a moment of Justin Berry brilliance.
The star midfielder collected the ball and sliced it through the goals from the scoreboard pocket to finally extinguish Narre Warren’s hopes.
Minutes later, captain Marc Holt repeated the dose with a goal from a similar spot to send the Eagles’ supporters into rapture.
Earlier in the final term, an Aaron McIver goal gave Narre Warren it’s first lead of the match and the darkness of last year’s straight sets finals exit loomed over Cranbourne.
But goals to Holt, Troy Datson with a sensational left-foot snap, and Matt Fletcher settled the Eagles before Berry and Holt iced the win.
“I think the state of the game and the way it panned out, it just adds to the quality of the year,” Cranbourne coach Doug Koop said.
“We had to stand up on that day against quality opposition and play some outstanding footy after we were challenged. We were able to do that and finish off the game very well.”
It was a nervy start to the match with eight minutes expired before the opening goal was scored by Berry with a long kick.
It took nearly as long for the next goal, again by Berry, sparking Cranbourne.
The Eagles kicked three more goals, while Narre Warren scored two with the wind to hold a 17-point lead.
Cranbourne kicked with the wind in the second term, but it was Narre Warren that landed the first blow with a goal to McIver.
Cranbourne kicked two goals, from Curtis Barker and a brilliant boundary snap by Ray George, but the Eagles didn’t fully capitalise on their advantage.
Despite having one less scoring shot, Narre Warren trailed by 21 points at half-time.
To this point the Magpies had shared the honours in the midfield battle, but failed to find a winning forward.
Magpies star Nick Scanlon stepped up and tore the game open.
He kicked three goals, primarily from massive kicks beyond the 50 metre arc.
However, Cranbourne was able to kick crucial goals, with Holt goaling twice and Barker adding another major.
A late goal by Cole Harvey put the Magpies within four points at the final break.
An early McIver goal gave Narre Warren the lead before Cranbourne kicked five straight goals en route to victory.
It was a brilliant contest – Cranbourne’s class and determination shone through while Narre Warren refused to quit.
The commitment and hardness by all 44 players resulted in one of the classic, all-time grand finals.
“(Narre Warren) were phenomenal,” Koop said. “I watched them two weeks before and certainly didn’t expect that performance because (against Berwick in the qualifying final) they didn’t really show a lot. (In the grand final) they showed a lot of grit and determination and ability to keep going and going at the contest was very special.
“They had their opportunities, but fortunately for our boys, we had a really good start. We won the game in the first quarter, I reckon.”
Star Cranbourne playmaker Curtis Barker was awarded the VCFL medal for best afield with his rugged display.
He booted three crucial goals.
“I was just lucky enough the ball came my way,” Barker said. ‘We went out in straight sets last year and we said from the start of pre-season that this is what we wanted. Everyone knuckled down and did the hard work and we got the reward.”
Defender/ruckman Michael Boland, captain Holt (five goals) and Berry were superb in a team effort.