BACK TO BACK

“They’re a happy team at Gordon”, and they have every right to be.

The Senior football side were victorious last Saturday, winning the Central Highlands Football League (CHFL) Grand Final, against neighbour and friendly rival, Springbank.

The 2023 premiership saw Gordon go back-to-back Premiers after a déjà vu classy performance against the Tigers.

Twenty-eight year-old playing coach Adam Toohey and his team of Eagles led the charge from the first bounce.

He said in the rooms after the match he was so proud, not just of the group, but the whole football club.

“This green and gold runs so deep. It’s about every single person in the club that has a connection and been on this journey. It is just so special,” he said.

“I think we are about the eighth team to go back-to-back; such an effort.”

Mr Toohey said he remembers when he was a little boy and he couldn’t wait for that one day to make it to a Grand Final, and get that opportunity to actually win a premiership.

“Not only do I thank the 22 that played today, but we had 37 who played senior football this year.

“We would not be in this situation if we didn’t have the 37 that contributed throughout the entire season,” he said.

Final score – Gordon 13.13 91 def Springbank 5.4 34

The Springbank club were not disgraced, with around 100 members playing in football and netball grand finals on the day.

The yellow and black claimed premiership wins in the Under 18 and Reserves football and 15&Under netball.

Springbank also claimed the minor premiership title, finishing on top of the CHFL ladder at the end of the 2023 home and away season, by percentage from Gordon in second place.

A decade of being president of the GFNC, Peter Clifford said he believed the game was won from the first bounce.

“Our pressure from all over ground from the whole team, the Tigers never got a spare second,” he said.

“I felt all the boys were quietly confident and our captain of the Under 18 side, Dylan Anderson, experienced and played in his first premiership at senior level.

“And let’s not forget our netballers,” Mr Clifford said.

“Sally Eastwood has been playing at the club since she was eight years old and I think the girls had more tears than excitement, after the inaugural D Grade team claimed their first flag.”

Final score – Gordon (31) def Rokewood (18).