Originally published September 13, 1993
UNPRECEDENTED scenes followed the final siren at Mildura’s City Oval as fans, players and officials realised the 1993 Sunraysia Football League grand final between Imperials and Mildura had been drawn.
The 40 gallant players had run themselves to a standstill and still there was no result.
The man district football history will remember as Mildura’s saviour, the tempestuous Rick Brennan, steered through a 40-metre set shot only a few seconds before full time.
The final scores saw both teams locked on 11.16 (82).
As umpire Tony Finn raised his arms to signify the game’s end the crowd was stunned.
No running onto the ground, no back-slapping, no tears.
Players slumped to the ground where they stood when the siren sounded.
The umpires milled expectantly.
SFL officials quickly made the announcement that a replay would be played.
The first drawn grand final in SFL senior history had been a game in the fittest traditions of Australian rules — tight, tough, desperate play mixed with flashes of brilliance and drama.
Mildura’s Graeme Woods and then Rick Brennan were both sent from the field by officiating umpires and it wasn’t until Brennan returned in the third quarter that a remarkable transformation came over the game.
His brilliant pace and marking power led him to five goals in 10 minutes and gave Mildura the lead.
Typically, Imperials fought back and looked winners with just seconds of the final term remaining.
Brennan’s final-second goal made a memorable 1993 SFL season absolutely unforgettable.
FOOTNOTE: The replay the following week was won by Imperials by 51 points.
