Brad Kingsbury
CHELSEA completed a memorable premiership victory with a 22point victory over Mt Eliza in the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League grand final at Frankston Park on Sunday.
The Seagulls stopped the Redlegs push for backtoback flags with a workmanlike performance in windy and cold conditions, led by ruckman Justin Crough and key forward Joel Connolly who finished the afternoon with four of Chelsea’s 10 goals.
The Seagulls opened the game with the wind and booted away to a threegoal lead.
Mt Eliza came back in the second term, but never got closer than two goals and after halftime Chelsea built its lead to 22 points and then defended it in a dour final term.
It was the minor premiers’ first pennant in the topgrade competition since 1990 and a fitting tribute to the efforts of coach Tim ScottBranagan, who suffered a careerending neck injury against Seaford earlier in the year.
The Victorian Country Football League (VCFL) medal went to former coach and St Kilda rover Brett Bowey.
The Redlegs took out the reserves grand final, downing EdithvaleAspendale by 28 points, while Seaford proved too good for Mt Eliza in the under18s, winning the grand final by 34 points.