Anglesea has become just the second club during the Bellarine’s top-five era to win the premiership from an elimination final after overcoming Geelong Amateur by 13 points at Grinter Reserve.
Trailing by seven points at three-quarter time, the Roos kicked four of the last five goals of the contest to snap a 26-year drought, claiming victory 14.10 (94) to 12.9 (81), joining Torquay in 2006 in winning four finals.
Ammos had several chances to push the lead beyond their advantage at the final change, with Mitch Day, Sam Lloyd and Harrison Orr all missing opportunities in front of goal.
Consecutive goals just before time-on in the final term from Will Batson and Declan Everett gave Anglesea a 10-point lead, before a response from the Pegs’ Archer Hanegraaf cut the margin to four points.
However, a late goal from Max Virgona sealed the deal for the Roos, with the siren sparking scenes of jubilation as the Anglesea faithful stormed the ground.
“To our boys… special community, special club,” coach Jordan Keras said on the victory dais.
“(I’m) so proud of you boys. I don’t tell you boys enough that I seriously love you boys, and we’ve got something together forever now.
“I’m so proud of you boys.”
Roos star Harry Ling, who, along with Batson, kicked three goals, won the inaugural Josh Finch Medal as best-on-ground.
Big man Camdyn Hutchinson was also important, as was playing coach Jordan Keras, key defender Tev Nofi, and the experienced Sam Leeds.
For Nofi, it was his third consecutive premiership after playing a prominent role in Leopold’s back-to-back GFNL success.
Geelong Amateur playing co-coach Sam Lloyd kicked three goals, with league-leading goalkicker Mitch Day’s lone major coming late in the third quarter.
Veteran defender Dan Weigl was named best for the Pegs, but ended the day with a hamstring injury.
Joe Maishman and Riley Ferguson battled hard in the Ammos’ midfield, while defender Daniel Grose held Roos spearhead Ayden Gras to one major.
Anglesea, which only snuck into the finals after snatching a draw against Queenscliff in Round 18, started the contest the better, opening up a 17-point lead at quarter time.
The Roos extended that margin to 23 points late in the second quarter before Geelong Amateur young gun Charley Green kicked a goal that reduced the margin back to 17 points at the main break.
That 23-point lead was restored with Gras’ lone goal early in the third quarter before
Ammos grabbed the lead for the first time since early in the first quarter when Lachie Reilly goaled to cap a run of four consecutive majors.
A Josh King goal gave Anglesea back the lead, before Day and Lloyd kicked back-to-back majors to give the Pegs a six-point lead at three-quarter time and set up a blockbuster final quarter.
X: @krockfootball
GEELONG AMATEUR 2.3, 5.5, 11.6, 12.9 (81)
ANGLESEA 5.2, 8.4, 10.6, 14.10 (94)
GOALS: Geelong Amateur: S. Lloyd 3, M. Day, L. Reilly, J. Maishman, H. Kershaw, L. Hillier, T. Gribble, C. Green, B. Sutterby, A. Hanegraaf
GOALS: Anglesea: W. Batson 3, H. Ling 3, A. Gras, J. Walters, D. Kerr, S. Umbers, J. King, D. Everett, M. Virgona, N. Collins
BEST: Geelong Amateur: D. Weigl, J. Maishman, R. Ferguson, D. Grose, A. Hanegraaf, H. Shepheard
BEST: Anglesea: H. Ling, C. Hutchinson, W. Batson, J. Keras, T. Nofi, S. Leeds
