The lopsided scoreline of 15.12 (102) to 8.11 (59) at Chirnside Park on Sunday might suggest it was a cruisey day at the office for Glenorden’s defence in the Western Region Football League division 2 grand final.
But the numbers – including the Hawks having eight more scoring shots in a 43-point win – are deceiving.
There were lengthy periods during the second and third quarters
when Parkside asked serious questions of the Hawks’ defence, but the
boys in the brown and gold built a near-impenetrable wall at the back to
deny the opposition time and again.
PICTURE GALLERY: Glenorden premiers!
Glenorden wins premiership in style
Glenorden premiers – the captain
Glenorden premiers – the coach
Rhys Bucktin was one of the bricks in that wall.
He’s a young defender unlucky not to finish with the Rex Swann
Medal for best on ground, which was awarded to midfielder Dash Barolli.
Bucktin said the unheralded Hawks’ back six was like a team within a team.
While the classy midfield and star-studded forward line received
most of the plaudits this season, on this perfect September day it would
be the defence that shone the brightest.
“We just kept fighting hard, doing the 1 per centers and just sticking tight – it’s all you can do in the backline to win games like this,” Bucktin said.
For Bucktin, it was his first senior premiership and one that was well deserved.
The last time he tasted premiership glory was six years ago in the juniors.
“It’s a good feeling … I’m pumped,” he said. “It’s going to be a very big week.”
