GFNL Grand Final | St Mary’s win Seniors Blood Toyota Cup
St Mary’s Football Netball Club has been crowned 2025 GFNL Senior Football premiers, overcoming a determined St Joseph’s outfit in a tense 13-point Grand Final victory at GMHBA Stadium on Friday.
The 10.8 (68) to 7.13 (55) win capped off a dream day for the Saints, who also secured the Reserves Buckley’s Cup earlier in the afternoon.
Tense Opening, Momentum Swings
St Joseph’s opened strongly, with Paddy De Grandi kicking the first goal and defenders Luke Webb and Joel O’Dwyer controlling play through intercept marking. The Joeys dominated early possession, but inaccuracy hurt them, with Joel Edwards missing a key opportunity.
St Mary’s weathered the early storm, with defenders Ryan Pendlebury and Hamish Bourke key in repelling attacks. Midway through the first quarter, the Saints began to turn the tide, as Sam Bourke and Matthew Copley both hit the scoreboard to give their side a narrow quarter-time lead.
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Saints Take Control in the Second Term
The intensity lifted in the second quarter with both sides applying fierce pressure. St Mary’s began to capitalise, with Bourke adding another and Elijah Wales kicking a spectacular dribbling goal from the pocket to push the margin out to 16 points.
A heated exchange between Copley and O’Dwyer further fired up the contest, but it was St Mary’s who went into halftime with a 14-point lead after St Joseph’s again failed to convert late chances.
Rain Changes the Game
Heavy rain hit during halftime, turning the match into a scrap. St Mary’s adapted better to the wet, extending their lead to as much as 27 points midway through the third quarter. Joeys managed a respond through Mitch Chafer, but continued inaccuracy saw them trailing by 20 points at the final change.
Joeys Rally, Saints Hold Firm
St Joseph’s surged in the final term, kicking 3.4 in a last-ditch effort. But every time they drew closer, the Saints responded, showing composure under pressure.
In the end, St Mary’s proved too strong, sealing a well-earned premiership and writing a new chapter in their club’s proud history.
Final
St Marys 3.1, 6.2, 8.5, 10.8 (68)
St Josephs 2.3, 3.6, 4.9, 7.13 (55)
