Hard day: South Belgrave’s David Bliston pulls in a mark despite heavy pressure from The Basin’s Nathan Jones in the EFL division 4 grand final on Sunday. Picture: Wayne Hawkins
SOUTH Belgrave was unable to stop The Basin from sealing an undefeated season in the Eastern Football League division 4 grand final on Sunday.
The Saints lost by 53 points. The Bears stormed home in the opening minutes of the final term to take their lead from 22 points out to their winning margin with an eight-goals-to-three quarter.
The Saints had stuck close with the Bears in the second and third terms, even hitting the lead midway into the third before the Bears snared late goals leading into three-quarter-time.
The win means the Bears have gone undefeated for the whole season after losing out to the Saints in last year's final.
Andy Bakens was a constant threat for the Saints up forward along with Lucas Appleby.
Nick Stow, David Bliston and Eamon Perry were named best players.
The Basin's Andy Cultera won the Blue Ribbon medal for best-on-ground, kicking six goals. Todd Power, Brent Gallichio and Max Kruger were named best players.
Bears coach Michael Glassborow said the premiership was years in the making.
"We set ourselves to do this last year and we didn't do it," he said.
"It's worth the wait; we waited 12 months and now this is an amazing feeling.
"It's more relief, mate — more relief, now all that work is done and dusted."
The Bears reserves also won their grand final, beating Forest Hill, and Ferntree Gully won the under-19s.
EFL division 4 grand final
The Basin 4.5, 6.5, 11.8, 19.9 (123)
South Belgrave 0.3, 6.3, 8.4, 11.4 (70)
GOALS, The Basin: A. Cultrera 6, B. Gallichio 4, A. Cowlishaw 3, M. Kruger 3, C. Christie 2, J. Hensler 1
South Belgrave: A. Bakens 4, L. Appleby 2, T. Hallinan 2, K. Jeffreys 1, A. Willenberg 1, L. Kidd 1
BEST, The Basin: T. Power, B. Gallichio, M. Kruger, T. Mills, M. Callinan, A. Cultrera
South Belgrave: N. Stow, D. Bilston, E. Perry, A. Willenberg, T. Burley, A. Bakens