Blacks beaten by Beaumaris in Grand Final

The Reserves couldn’t quite cap off an excellent 2018 campaign, beaten by Beaumaris in the Grand Final on Saturday at Elsternwick Park.

With the Seniors being knocked out in the preliminary final last week, a handful of players were available to drop back to the Reserves and strengthen the line-up in the hope of reversing the result from the semi-final between the two sides.

The Sharks flew out of the blocks in the first term, taking advantage of a strong breeze to lock the ball in their half of the ground for long periods of time.

Five goals to none was the result, as Beaumaris took a 31-point lead into the quarter time break.

The Blacks had their chances to haul themselves back into the contest in the second term, but wayward kicking in front of goal would cost them, kicking 1.5 for the quarter as the margin drifted to 39 points at half time. Jack Fuller the only goal kicker in the first half.

The saying goes that bad kicking is bad football, and that proved to be the case. The Blacks had 11 scoring shots at three-quarter time to Beaumaris’ 16, but found themselves 50 points in arrears and on the canvas with one quarter to play.

To the boys’ credit, they stuck at it in the final term, winning the quarter to take a small positive from an otherwise bleak day.

Fuller would finish with a couple of goals to his name along with Steven Flight and Will Mills kicking one each, while Henry Bennett and Douglas Arnold were outstanding through the midfield in a losing cause.

Although it was a disappointing finish to the season, Linc Merlo and his playing group should hold their heads high. Winning 15 games during the home and away season is an excellent result, and no doubt the Reserves will be looking to go one better in 2019.

Goals: Fuller 2, Flight, Mills

Best: Bennett, Arnold, Turner, Flight, Monkhouse, Mill