IRYMPLE are the 2022 reserve grade premiers, finally conquering their grand final hoodoo by beating Imperials in their clash at the Mildura Sporting Precinct on Saturday.
The Swallows have been a dominant force in the reserves for more than a decade but, for all their dominance, they have failed to take home the silverware. They were defeated in their last six grand final appearances and their last premiership was in 2009.
With the pressure of history mounting and a surging Imperials outfit, Irymple wouldn’t have been without their nerves leading into this decider.
There is an interesting issue that emerges in reserves finals when a team without a seniors side playing on the day comes up against a team that does have a team that does.
How many extra senior players could drop back for the Imperials team, and what influence would they have?
Irymple reserves coaches would have been quietly elated when they, too, were presented with the opportunity to play three players that played seniors the previous week, when the senior team made three changes to their grand final list.
These inclusions evened out any senior players that Imperials were able to utilise.
Despite kicking into the breeze, Irymple started this game the better. They scored two goals into the wind while holding Imperials goalless. Both teams were able to effect turnovers by applying pressure; however, the Swallows defended the better, forced Imperials wide and limited their scoring ability by confining the team in green to the dead wing.
The second quarter was a case of missed opportunities for the Irymple team. They dominated much of the quarter but could only muster two more goals. Imperials looked outclassed but managed a goal into the breeze and were far from out of the game, trailing by 20 points at the long break.
With the breeze at their back, could Imperials mount a third-quarter challenge that would close the margin enough to make Irymple get jittery? The simple answer to that question was “no”.
Irymple were again able to close down the game. It was 15 minutes before the first goal was scored, which was an Irymple goal. Irymple kept Imperials goalless, and when Matt Hughes coolly converted two further late goals for the Swallows, stretching the three-quarter time margin to more than six goals, Irymple effectively had one hand on the cup.
With little to lose, Imperials had little choice other than to take the game on. On the back of effort and dare, their confidence grew. Despite kicking into the breeze, Imperials had the better of the final stanza, kicking four goals to one, putting some respectability into the scoreboard. But, ultimately, the margin was a bridge too far, Irymple running out comfortable winners.
Irymple coach Luke Jeffers was still letting the win sink in post-game but was pleased his team was finally rewarded for effort.
“To see these boys get the deserved medal at the end of the day is just amazing,” he said.
“It’s been a long time in the making: we’ve lost six grand finals in a row, so seventh time lucky.”
Imperials coach Tony Hickey conceded that Irymple deserved their win but was proud that his group played the game out.
“Nerves early got to us, and the wind played into that as well as Irymple’s pressure around the footy,” Hickey said.
“Their defensive structures chopped off a lot of our attempts to switch the ball and caused turnover. Then we lost confidence to switch, but I was proud of the way they put the first three quarters behind them and focused on winning the last one.”
Of those with senior experience, the Irymple players had the most influence on the game.
Connor Carter, one of those who dropped back after playing seniors last week, was a solid four-quarter performer on his wing.
Tyson Giles, who also played six senior games this year, was equally effective on the alternate wing. His efforts were recognised when presented with the AFL Victoria Country best on ground medal.
Jeffers had high praise for Giles after the game.
“We love having him in our side. We were pretty excited to know he would be playing twos on a big ground like this. He’s been an asset to us all year.”
