MATCH REPORT
By BRETT KOHLHAGEN (The Border Mail)

LAVINGTON finally put its grand final demons to rest with a 60-point victory against a stubborn Myrtleford at the LSC Oval yesterday. But the Panthers were forced to wait until the eight-minute mark of the final quarter before they were allowed to savour the moment and enjoy their first flag since 1986. It was fitting that coach Tim Sanson delivered the knockout punch after taking a towering mark and wobbling the ball through from 40m. The goal sparked an avalanche which did Myrtleford little justice as they lost few admirers with their plucky performance against the odds.

After Sanson extended the margin to 23 points, the floodgates opened with Sanson (two), speedster Ian Maiden (two), Daryn McKimmie and Aaron Purcell delivering the final blows. It was clear that Myrtleford's pathway to the decider had taken its toll. Star centreman Kim Rigoll had arguably his dirtiest day for the season and was well beaten by Mick Richards. He made several uncharacteristic skill errors and seemed to pay the price for his heroics at the rock-hard Albury Sportsground in the preliminary final last weekend. Ron Skender managed only two kicks and one goal on Brett Sanson, while Luke Rayner was in Disneyland after being caught high during the third term.

While Myrtleford's top guns tired, Lavington's thrived and got better and better as the match progressed. Wingman John Hunt slayed Saint youngsters Stephen Nightingale and Kyle Raven on his way to a best afield performance. He made several blistering runs down the ground and the Saints were unable to find an opponent who could match his raw pace. Hunt ripped the heart out of Myrtleford midway through the third quarter when he took three bounces and kicked truly to extend the margin beyond three goals for the first time. Peter Doherty and Anthony Ross followed up minutes later and the Saints were unable to make up the lost ground. Aaron Purcell showed he was well worth the battle to lure him across from Jerilderie with five goals and several strong marks around the 50m arc.

Kerry Bahr was dogged in defence, Paul Sanson shut down dangerman Chad Rigoni, Todd Brown proved too nimble for Luke Brock and McKimmie made every disposal count in the midfield. Maiden was saved until the third quarter and responded with three telling goals under pressure.

Lavington failed to capitalise on its chances early and, like last weekend, the Saints made the most of their good fortune by staying within a kick at quarter-time. Dustyn McKenna kicked two goals in the opening term and narrowly missed his third after a shot from 50m leg-breaked only metres from the goal-line. He went on to star for the Saints with seven majors and finish a dream finals series with 18 goals. Brennan Crisp also stood up in the biggest match of his career. With David Steer assigned the job on Purcell, Crisp was given Doherty and pinched the honours in a titanic battle. Scott Burgess restricted the dangerous Anthony Ross to two goals in another bold showing. Rayner had 16 kicks in defence and the midfield before half-time to do little harm to his reputation as a big-match performer.

But Lavington's week off was always going to become a factor in the warm conditions and the young legs of Brown, Hunt and Matt Pendergast finished full of running.

Ovens & Murray Grand Final
David Johnston (The Border Mail)

THEY can be called chokers no more. After five successive grand final defeats since their last flag 15 years ago, Lavington ushered in the Panthers era yesterday with a stunning premiership victory over Myrtleford at the LSC Oval. Weighed down with self doubts in recent deciders, the Panthers captured their third flag since joining the Ovens and Murray in 1979 when they exploded away from the gallant Saints to win by 60 points. ``There is no monkey off the back,'' Lavington coach Tim Sanson said. ``But I have been on the losing end a couple of times and I know what that feels like.''

Lavington suffered grand final defeats in 1987, 1988, 1990, 1996 and 1998 since its last flag under Jeff Cassidy. Sanson was a rookie coach when Lavington lost its last grand final three years ago to Wodonga Raiders. Lavington made some telling off-field decisions which led to the triumph. The club ditched its big spending ways and concentrated on youth to deliver the ultimate reward which has so cruelly denied them in recent years. ``It is vindication for the decisions we made and the path we have gone down and the hard work we have done,'' Sanson said. ``Don't worry as Myrtleford and Lavington have gone down similar paths and we are both set up really well.

``If you get good people involved and make good decisions you can't go wrong.'' Lavington president Ken Hallows said: ``It is just an unbelievable feeling. ``It has been so long and to go through so much when you lose the difference is amazing. ``People say it's a relief and it is. ``I was nervous as hell (before the match). ``To Myrtleford's credit they kept it tight all day and never gave in. ``Our legs got us over the line in the end.'' Lavington kept the Saints scoreless in the last quarter after leading by 17 points at three quarter time. The 17-point margin was the same gap the Saints faced at the last change in the 1970 grand final. But unlike 31 years ago there was no fairytale finish as the Saints were simply over-run by a fresher outfit. Myrtleford was running on empty when the Panthers turned up the pressure early in the last quarter.

Sanson, who had been held in check by Myrtleford captain Chris Hemley, broke the shackles and converted twice from towering grabs from close range. The Panthers piled on 6.7 to nil in the last quarter to romp home. Speedster John Hunt capped off an outstanding match with the Did Simpson Medal for best-on-ground and Jerilderie recruit Aaron Purcell won the VCFL Medal for his five goal display. Saints coach Luke Rayner, who has hauled a club from a perennial mid-table existence to a grand final in two seasons at the helm, finished the match with no recollection of events after half-time after being collected high by Sanson in the third quarter. ``I have got no doubt the loss will cut deep with all of our players and whoever fronts up next year hopefully it will motivate them,'' Rayner said. ``In the first half we were terrific I thought. ``We really gave it to them for a while and in the end I suppose fresh legs prevailed. ``They are a good side and credit where it is due. ``We gave it our best shot and it wasn't to be.'' The crowd, dominated by Myrtleford supporters, was estimated at 9000. The attendance was down on recent seasons as were gate-takings of $44,882.

Grand Final Photo's
Theses photos are copyright The Border Mail and may not be reproduced without written consent. They're only 72 dpi, so they won't look any good when you print them.
If you want printable copies, e-mail me.

OTHER SCORES ON THE DAY:

Reserves: v Wodonga Bulldogs 21.6 (132) Defeated Albury 10.12 (72)
Thirds: Wodonga Bulldogs 6.3 (39) Defeated Wangaratta Rovers 5.5 (35):

Netball
A grade: Yarrawonga 35 Defeated Albury 34
B grade: Yarrawonga 56 Defeated Lavington 54
C grade: North Albury 45 Defeated Wodonga Bulldogs 42

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