Greenvale came up against a side that didn’t want to experience grand final heartache for a third straight year in Essendon District Football League’s premier division.
Aberfeldie was hard, ruthless and clean with the ball from the opening siren and ensured it was Greenvale that headed to grand final pain at Windy Hill on Saturday.
The Jets had no answers to the Gorillas and it showed on the scoreboard: 26.10 (166) – 13.12 (90).
Jets coach Shannon Grant said his side was no match for Aberfeldie.
“They’re a good team, the best all year. They thoroughly deserve the win,” Grant conceded.
“Aberfeldie did get the jump … and I don’t think we came out nervous.
“We did our preparation and went into the game on the back of last week full of confidence.”
Grant said no matter what they tried, the Jets couldn’t go with the Gorillas.
“They made it hard and we couldn’t keep up with them.
“There are things we did to try to stop them. But when you contest the ball and can’t win at least half the contests, or at least create neutral contests, you’re in trouble.”
The Gorillas’ big names were busy early with former AFL players Brock McLean, Kyle Reimers, Angus Graham and Luke Blackwell among those on the scoreboard before the Jets had kicked their first goal.
Reimers’ goal and McLean’s second were signs of things to come. From the Allan T. Hird Stand pocket, they kicked nearly identical shots around their bodies on tight angles for six-pointers.
The Jets finally got on the board at the 26-minute mark through a free kick to Nick Maric.
The Jets trailed 38-9 at quarter-time. They got the first goal of the second term to reduce the margin before a brain fade by Fabian DeLuca returned momentum to the Gorillas.
An Angus Graham mark resulted in his second goal.
DeLuca knocked him over after the kick, with the umpire awarding a free kick and second shot on goal. Graham obliged by kicking his third.
The two goals helped the Gorillas extend the lead to 47 points at the main break.
In the third quarter, they went from having one hand on the premiership cup to a secure two mitts, nine goals to one putting the game out of the Jets’ reach.
Gorillas big man Graham was named best on ground for his seven goals.
It’s the Gorillas first senior premiership since 1974.
Addam Maric, Matthew Smith and Josh Smith were judged best players for the Jets. Tom Hill kicked five goals for the Jets, while Joseph Gazzo chipped in with four.
The final-quarter response was some consolation for Grant.
“I’m glad they came out and finished the way they did and won the last quarter,” he said. “I asked for a big effort and they did that. It shows they care.
“We need to lick our wounds at the moment … get around each other and make sure we come back better next year.
For Grant, in his first season as coach, season 2015 is something to build on.
“I’ve been proud of the boys,” he said. “They’ve all improved and been prepared to buy in and work to get us into the position we’re in today.
“They’re a good group and they want to get better.”
The Jets’ reserves side also endured grand final heartache, losing a thriller to Keilor 12.6 (78)-10.10 (70).
