The Esperance League team converge after winning the 2024 EDFA. Photos: Greg Symes
At about 8.30pm on Saturday evening, a hearty rendition of the Esperance Football Club’s team song bellowed across the Old Oval.
It was sung with extra gusto by the Bulldogs players and supporters, as its side had overcome Gibson by 12 points, 8.5 (53) to 6.5 (41) to win the EDFA League grand final at Ports Oval some three hours earlier, the clubs 29th premiership.
Brendon White, the Bridge Medal winner for the best player on the ground, was prolific in the final stanza, willing himself to every contest including winning the all-important centre clearance after a Sam Johnston major brought the Tigers to within six points of the Bulldogs.
The resulting clearance landed in the hands of Shannon Nelson who slotted the final goal to assure the Bulldogs of victory.
White also kicked the Bulldogs lone goal in the third quarter as Gibson were starting to mount a serious challenge, Trent Stevens kicking two goals for the Tigers in that term.
White was joined by defender Jonah Symonds, Nelson (four goals) and Liam Baines as the Bulldogs’ best players.
Dual Hepburn medallist Patch Jannings, playing in his 100th League match for the Tigers, was his side’s best player in the grand final, the direct matchup alongside White a highlight as the pair went head to head.
Described by playing coach Aogan McCallion at quarter time as a ‘”contested beast” Ben Staunton, defender Jeremy Curry (one goal), and Stevens rounded out the Tigers’ better players.
Gibson went through season 2024 undefeated in the A-Reserves grand final, accounting for Esperance by 38 points, 9.10 (64) to 4.2 (26).
The Bulldogs matched the Tigers for a half, but a four goal third term by Gibson broke the game open as Tigers ruckman Ryan O’Neill was awarded the best player on the ground.
The Women’s grand final was a tight contest which could of went either way, until Clara Graham soccered a goal over the top of desperate Blues defenders late in the last quarter to see her side win 3.4 (22) to 1.3 (9).
Midfielder Alysha Castelli was everywhere for the Tigers setting up multiple forward entries, whilst also running back to help out her defenders when required.
Nat House gave the Bluebirds a glimmer of hope at half time reducing the margin to two points with a clever roving goal.
Ports pulled away from Newtown-Condingup in the third quarter of the Colts grand final, going on to win by 22 points 5.6 (36) to 2.2 (14), in a sometimes fiery encounter.
Both sides had to contend with the worst conditions of the day as the gales strengthened across the ground that made for a scrappy match which made scoring difficult.
Nate Thomas-Magee (three goals) finished off the midfield efforts of the best players on ground, Mitch Cole, Luke Maloney, Noah McElroy and Keenan Rymer (one goal).
Renown coach Ed Pedersen praised both sides for playing a ‘perfect Colts grand final’ which he described as ‘skilful, tough, hard fought’ and had just the right amount of ‘argy-bargy.’
Pedersen also had a significant message to his Blues charges in victory. “Enjoy the win but stay humble as you don’t know if you’ll ever be back here again (playing in premierships), or on the other side of it.”
Druce Blythman kicked all of the goals for his team as Newtown-Condingup defeated Gibson 6.8 (44) to 2.5 (17) in the Under 16’s contest.
Taj Liddelow from the Newtown-Condingup Football Club was the fairest and best for the Association in front of the Tigers James Grant, who won the Subiaco Golds award for the best player on the defeated side.
Injured Lions forward Emmet Hoffrichter joined victorious teammates for half a lap of honour as he was ferried around the oval on a scooter, a rare scene in Esperance football.
Gibson completed an undefeated season in the Under 14’s accounting for the Lions by 22 points 6.3 (39) to 2.5 (17), twin towers Miller Brown (three goals) and Jai Sullivan (two goals) the main focal points up forward for the Tigers.
Carta Tawhiao was voted as the best player on the ground for Gibson, closely followed by the Under 14’s Association fairest and best, Coby Guest.
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