Jervois ‘beat the world’, win 2023 RMFL premiership
The Bluds have come from behind in their grand final against Mypolonga to complete an undefeated season and win the River Murray Football League premiership.
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Jervois have completed a sensational comeback to finish off an undefeated season and win the 2023 River Murray Football League premiership.
The Bluds came back from 28 points down in the third quarter to stun the Tigers by nine points at Murray Bridge’s Le Messurier Oval.
Scores were level for a tense few minutes before Peter Zarantonello put Jervois ahead with a last-quarter behind from a sharp angle, then Lachie Thomas helped them stay there with a late goal from a free kick.
In the bigger picture, the win completed a redemption arc for the footy club, which had lost the 2022 grand final at home, then been penalised in the off-season for a breach of player payment rules.
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Player-coach Taite Silverlock suggested afterwards that a take-on-all-comers attitude had fuelled the playing group all year.
“It’s Jervois versus the world,” he told the crowd.
“We beat the world.”
Jervois ruck Harry Barnett won the hit-outs convincingly and spearhead Josh Scott kicked three goals.
Zarantonello was named best on ground in the win for his 23 disposals, eight clearances and two goals.
He credited his club for sticking together throughout the season.
“Last year really hurt, but it brought us together stronger this year and got us a good result,” he said.
Thomas, Anthony Long, Hayden Schulz, Casey Robins and Chaz Baltussen were also named among Jervois’ best players in the win.
Meanwhile, Mypolonga were left so close to another flag, yet so far, having come from fifth spot to upset Imperials and minor premiers Southern Mallee along the way.
Patrick Davies and Jack Kluske were the leading possession-getters in the loss; Davies, Jack Wilkins, Luke Wagenknecht, Stephen Mills and Lochlan Gotch were named in the bests.
Results in the lower grades were:
- Reserves: Imperials 6.9 (45) defeated Jervois 6.7 (43)
- Under-18s: Imperials 5.9 (39) defeated Mypolonga 5.6 (36)
- Under 15.5s: Tailem Bend 7.8 (50) defeated Imperials 3.2 (20)
- Under 13s: Mannum 6.7 (43) defeated Imperials 4.2 (26)
The Bluds will start the 2024 A grade season at negative-four standings points once again, and with a reduced player points allocation, as a result of the SANFL penalty handed down in April.
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Clarification: This post has been amended to more accurately reflect the comments Taite Silverlock made after the game.
