Sport
16 September, 2025
Talbot and Carisbrook sweep footy finals
Carisbrook Recreation Reserve hosted four gripping football grand finals before the senior season finale between Trentham and Carisbrook on Saturday, with two teams sharing the glory.
The football action began with a tense opening half, as the under 11.5 grand final contested between Talbot and Navarre was tied at two points each at half time.
After a goalless first half, Fletcher Cunningham put the Hawks in the driver’s seat with a goal in the first minute of the second half.
Despite a response from the Grasshoppers Bill Lasslett, Talbot carried that momentum through the rest of the match, as two crucial goals from Hugo Roche earned the Hawks the flag, winning 4.3.(27) to 1.5.(11) and gave him best on ground honours.
Before they battled in the senior grand final, the Redbacks and Saints faced off for the under 14.5 crown, ending with Carisbrook winning back-to-back premierships, 8.9.(57) to 7.1.(43).
Trailing by 15 points at quarter time, Trentham flipped the game on its head with four unanswered goals, including two from Jay Leong and majors from Sullivan Miller and Hayden Kost, giving the Saints an eight-point advantage at half time.
The Redbacks recovered quickly in the second half, pulling out to a five-point advantage at three-quarter time before two goals from Billy Rumpff and another from Isaac Jennings sealed the deal in the final term.
Rumpff’s two crunch-time goals brought his final tally to four, a key factor in his best on ground nod.
Carisbrook took out their second junior grand final of the day, completing an undefeated season in the under 17.5 with a 6.13.(49) to 2.4.(16) triumph and denying the Maryborough Giants of their first football premiership.
After losing back-to-back grand finals, the Redbacks were determined not to be denied again, building a 13-point buffer at quarter time.
After the Giants brought the deficit back to three points at half time, Carisbrook scored four unanswered goals in the second half to secure the flag.
Lachlan Condie did everything for the Maryborough Giants, a deserving league best on ground winner despite the defeat.
Vic Country best on ground honours went to Carisbrook’s Brian Shafik-eid after a dazzling performance.
The Redbacks were hopeful of making it three straight premierships on the day. However, they were denied in the reserves grand final by a rampant Talbot, who completed their undefeated season by kicking 7.5.(47) to 4.5.(29).
It was a perfect send-off for Talbot legend Matt Smith, who ended his 300th game for the club with a premiership.
The two teams traded the lead throughout the match, setting the stage for an epic climax with the Hawks up by a goal at three-quarter time.
Fourth-quarter goals from Zach Graham and Ryan Aquilina were enough to get the Hawks over the line, with Josh Sullivan named best on ground.