Blues Twos Go Back-to-Back!

The Mighty Uni Blues Twos have reversed a comprehensive 2nd Semi-Final defeat at the hands of Old Xavarians with a dominant victory in the 2009 A-Reserve Grand Final.

Players and fans arrived to a Sportscover Arena bathed in sunlight with a light sea breeze - a perfect day for football. The Mighty Uni Blues Twos were looking to defend their 2008 title against a slick Old Xaverian outfit. Xavs went into the Grand Final as favourites thanks to a 49 point win over the Blues in the 2nd Semi-Final but some big ins for the Blues had supporters quietly confident. When Kenny Rogers wroteThe Gambler , he didn't have the comprehensive nature of the 2nd

Semi defeat in mind however the Blues brains trust decided to roll the dice and change a game plan that had won them the minor premiership with a 15/3 record. The talk at The Pavvy all week revolved around how the game was going to be a low-scoring slog where momentum was incredibly important. The first quarter went exactly to plan. After 20 intense minutes, the Blues went into the first break leading 2 goals to 1. The backline, led by Pat Smith, Al Austin and Ben Millard, absorbed a lot of early pressure and continually thwarted attacks. The Blues had to kick against a gentle breeze in the 2nd quarter but some strong resolve saw another even quarter. Tim Muhlebach was leading his on-ball brigade into battle and Hamish Rankin and Isaac Orr followed Muhlebach's hard-working example. As the siren sounded for the long break, supporters looked to the scoreboard to see Uni Blues leading 3-6 to 3-2. The first half had followed the script.

Talk at half-time from the players demonstrated their belief in Coach Guengerich's game plan. They knew that if they continued to work the way they were, the rewards would come their way. Rested, the players returned to battle. Finally, after over a half of stout defensive work from both sides, the Blues began to find a way through. Goals to Tom Girdwood, Quinton Gleeson, Mick Steinbach and Jono Vickers-Willis had the Blues' supporters cheering. But their work was not complete. Xavs answered with a single goal but the Blues kept running and working to add 5 goals for the quarter. An old cliche is that the 3rd quarter is the premiership quarter and this proved to be the case. However, at three quarter time the players knew their work was not complete. Xavs had not made the Grand Final by rolling over when they were down. The first goal of the final term went to Xavier but the Blues quickly answered through Vickers-Willis to allay any nerves in the Blues' cheer squad. The Blues then returned to their hard-working and defensive game plan that had served them so well. Led by Captain Alex Suvoltos, they saw off the challenge and emerged victors in an enthralling and pulsating game.

In Coach Guengerich's words, the Blues were winners because of a superior team effort. There was 22 contributors in Blue and Black and all players can be proud of the efforts in winning the premiership cup. Congratulations to Gunga and the Mighty Uni Blues Twos, as they celebrate their second premiership in as many years. Go Blues! 

University Blues: 2.2     3.6     8.6     10.9-69

Old Xaverians:   1.2     3.2     4.3       6.5-41