Northern Football League

Macleod has finally won the Division 2 Northern Football League premiership after a 24 point win in the Grand Final against Whittlesea. Having lost the past three Grand Finals, it would feel for all Macleod supporters, a case of about time. As for Whittlesea, making it to the Grand Final was a remarkable achievement and despite finishing runners-up, there are plenty of positives for it to take into 2010.

The Kangas kicked with a strong breeze in the opening term, and were wasteful with their early opportunities. It was a scrappy contest, and as expected, both sides got stuck into each other. It wasn't until the nine minute mark that the Kangas opened their account through Nick Lynch, while after two booming goals from Daniel Watts, the Kangas looked up and about. Todd Behan got the Eagles' first soon after, and as the clock ticked into time-on it looked like the Whittlesea defence would hold up strong. From there though it was all Macleod, as they piled on another five goals in a 41 minute quarter that saw them take a 54 point lead into quarter time.

Whittlesea coach Peter Bugden made sure his troops pulled in their heads as they kicked with the strong wind, and ensured they all knew not to give away stupid free kicks.

Whittlesea's leading goal kicker, Josh Nixon, got his side's first of the second quarter only four minutes in. Mathew Quinton got another for his side, but Macleod's Anthony Doherty and Lynch got two crucial goals into the wind, which helped their side hold a 46 point buffer at half time. A scuffle late in the half saw Jeremy Bennett red-carded, and cut the Macleod bench down to three.

In the third term, Behan got his side going with a quick goal to open the half. The Eagles got their running game going, and Ty Parkinson added another soon after. Despite the Eagles dominating play, the Kangas managed to get their stranglehold back on the game with three goals that saw them lead by 57 points at the last change, with no fit players left on the bench.

The Northern Region's Senior Coach of the Year, Macleod's Cristian Brandt told his team that from here on in, it was how much they wanted the premiership, and promotion into Division 1.

Despite only scoring the one point in the last term, and conceding five in the process, Macleod got what they had long been waiting for - the Division 2 premiership. Despite several players cramping up, Macleod went on to win a long awaited title.

Final scores Macleod 13.23 (101) to Whittlesea 11.11 (77).

The Eagles have come a long way considering at the Round 13 split, not many would have put Whittlesea in the Top Four, so making the Grand Final was a fantastic effort in itself. Nixon was the Eagles' leading goal kicker with three, with Behan chipping in with two and was his side's best.

Lynch was Macleod's leading goal kicker with three majors, and captain Kane Shaw, who dominated across half back, was awarded the best-on-ground medal. The Kangas will now get a taste of something they have been very close to for a very long time - Division 1 footy. 

Elsewhere, Parkside were able to overcome a one goal half-time deficit to win the inaugural Division 3 premiership. Having been the favourite going into the game, Parkside continued their excellent 2009 form and ran out 16 point winners, 12.9 (81) to Hurstbridge's 8.17 (65).

Dallas King was the lead forward on the ground, finishing with five goals, and was ably assisted by Sam Mills with four. Robbie Wise was the best player on the ground and set up victroy with his electric pace.

It was another inaccurate display from Hurstbridge, going down despite having four more scoring shots than the Devils. Callum Pohl continued his outstanding season and was named Hurstbridge's best player, while Ben Fennell showed his versatility with three goals.