Unbeaten Gnowangerup win back-to-back OFA premierships for first time after outlasting gallant Boxwood Hill

Gnowangerup produced an inspired final term to defeat a gallant Boxwood Hill and win back-to-back league premierships for the first time in their history on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs emerged 22-point winners, completing a brilliant undefeated season in the Ongerup Football Association. The low-scoring grand final was played in front of a big crowd at Boxwood Hill and the home side stormed back into the contest in the third quarter, kicking three unanswered goals to level scores at one stage. The Bulldogs held a slender two-point advantage at three-quarter-time before Nic Bertola kicked an early behind for Boxwood. A classy pass from Fraser House set up Lewis Davis and the key forward nailed the set shot to make it seven points. Davis came alive as he missed a tough shot from 60m out but he made amends shortly after from a free kick and his long-range effort from outside 50m sailed through. Boxwood veteran Aaron Davis had been well held for much of the afternoon but his wonderful goal from a tight angle gave the home side hope as the margin was pulled back to nine points. The Bulldogs continued to find answers as their midfield willed the ball forward and Tyler Caldwell kicked truly to make the task almost impossible for Boxwood. A defensive error then handed speedster James Culleton a gift, as he ran 40m into an open goal to seal the 8.9 (57) to 5.5 (35) victory. Rebounding defender Campbell Floyd was named best-on-ground after a highly influential display for the winners and the Bulldogs midfield of Elliot Jaeschke, House and Scott Anderson were also important contributors. Davis was a key figure in the flag triumph with four goals, including two in the opening quarter as the visitors led by 11 points at the first change. Ethan Caldwell was rock solid in defence for the Bulldogs and Tom Stewart was busy on a wing for the winners. Triumphant coach Roy Addis said both Boxwood and Newdegate had challenged his side in the finals but he was delighted his side dug deep in the final term. “To Boxwood Hill’s credit and to our guys it was a magnificent game of football,” he said. “Finals football (is) different to home and away games, the crowd and the spectacle and there is a lot more pressure involved but I did believe they’d get the job done. “This is magnificent not just for the footy club but for the Gnowangerup community.” House moved to centre-half-back in the third term when Boxwood were right on top and Culleton played in the middle early in the last term — both important factors in the Bulldogs regaining control. Hayden Richter broke a long goal drought for Boxwood nearing half-time as his side trailed by 20 points and the lively forward dribbled through his second early in the third quarter. Michael Swarbrick added another major soon after and when Richter slotted his third, scores were level heading towards three-quarter-time. Midfielder Matt Campbell was outstanding in defeat for Boxwood while ruckman Jeremy Walker worked tirelessly all afternoon and Swarbrick took some terrific contested marks. Richter was influential with three goals along with Issac Baum and Nic Bertola. “It was an unbelievable game,” Boxwood coach Rick Carpenter said. “Our first half was poor and then our third and fourth quarters were terrific, the pressure that we brought around the footy was great but we just ran out of legs a bit and they had more polish than us. “I couldn’t be more proud of the guys for what we brought today.”

Unbeaten Gnowangerup win back-to-back OFA premierships for first time after outlasting gallant Boxwood Hill

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