MCDFL - Navarre has suffered the heartbreak of another grand final loss following a dominant four quarter display by Carisbrook in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football League on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It was the Grasshoppers second consecutive grand final appearance, and their dreams of winning the 2012 premiership ended with a 22 point loss at the hands of the Redbacks.
Carisbrook looked threatening early, missing two shots at goal before Navarre's Kris Brennan kicked the first goal for the afternoon to give the Grasshoppers the lead.
However this was to be one of few highlights for Navarre for the afternoon as the ball sailed back into Carisbrook's forward 50, spilling out to Patrick Jenes who goaled.
A major to Travis Cornwill on the quarter time siren saw the Grasshoppers down by 17 points.
Navarre assistant coach Andrew Murphy said Carisbrook controlled the play in the first term and he urged the players to start communicating as a group.
"We're not out, we've got to work hard to get back into the game. Start to get our hands to the ball and start to control play," Murphy said.
Despite Navarre's best efforts, Carisbrook continued to stamp their authority and play the game on their terms.
Nathan Wright booted the opening goal of the second term and Grasshoppers defenders Tom Kaye, Daniel Fitzell and Sam Robertson were under siege.
Jeremy Harrington managed to slot through a nice goal from the left pocket but the Redbacks had all the answers, with a diving mark taken by Luke Treacy resulting in a goal.
Navarre tried to generate play in their attacking 50 but Redback defenders Nathan O'Keefe, Ben Kick and Marcus Emmett were standing their ground against Louis Hannett and Kris Brennan, restricting their scoring opportunities.
The Grasshoppers run through the midfield was also stifled by Carisbrook, putting pressure on them to kick a contest.
Navarre was 18 points down at half time and Murphy said although the team had battled away to gain control of the game, he acknowledged that the Redbacks were 'crucifying' the Grasshoppers by making them kick to contests.
"When the ball is coming in, we've got to kick to open space. Are we out of the game? Not by a long shot."
However, things didn't improve for Navarre in the third term with Carisbrook booting three goals in a minute to suddenly extend their lead to 37 points, the biggest margin for the match.
Murphy pleaded for his side to put in 'one almighty effort' to try and win the premiership. It wasn't to be and although Navarre managed to restrict Carisbrook to just one behind in the final term the Redbacks did enough to run out winners, 10.9 (69) to 6.11 (47).
Although Murphy was disappointed by the loss, he conceded Carisbrook were the 'better team on the day.'
"Their experience in finals games showed. They pressured us into mistakes and they capitalised on them," he said.
"The backline was good under pressure considering the ball was coming in all day," he said.
"Today I might be disappointed but not with our year - it has been one hell of a ride for us. It was a fantastic effort."
Murphy told his players to celebrate the year.
"Don't judge the season on one game. Let's stick together. Today there could only be one winner but as a team, we're a bigger winner."