BAYSWATER – DIVISION 2 PREMIERS
Home & Away: 14 Wins 4 Losses 1732/956 181.17
Finals: 2 Wins
Coach: Paul McCormack
Best and Fairest: TBC
Many wouldn’t have envisaged a Premiership for Bayswater 24 months ago, following four consecutive finals series between 2009 and 2012 the club just missed finals in 2013 to almost bottom out the following season.
In a tight competition the ‘Waters snuck into fourth position last season only to fall victim to the Dean Limbach show in the First Semi Final going down to Doncaster East…
But as we know, a year can feel like a lifetime and Bayswater made their mark winning their first Division 2 title since 1995.
Following their narrow loss to Mitcham at Walker Park in Round 5 – Bayswater went on to record 12 wins in the last 13 weeks of the season, their only loss coming at the hands of Wantirna South at Walker Reserve in Round 15.
The final three weeks of the season saw commanding wins against both Lilydale and Waverley Blues followed by a confidence boosting 32-point win over Doncaster East in Round 18.
Following a strong home and away season Bayswater finished on top of the table in Division 2, claiming the minor premiership before a comprehensive Second Semi-Final win over Mooroolbark.
Wayne McInerney was able to help his side to a 67-point win booting six goals in a performance that would set the clubs confidence sky high entering their third Grand Final this Century.
The 2016 Division 2 Grand Final couldn’t have gone any better for Bayswater, conditions suited the hard running side with the sun shining as the first ball was bounced. From there it was all one-way traffic, Bayswater kicked six goals in the first term to open up a 40-point lead by the first change. Early in the game the Bayswater midfield had got on top and never looked back.
Unfortunately for Wantirna South who had fought gallantly during the 2016 finals it wasn’t to be. The Devils were overrun to the tune of 107-points.
An emotional Bayswater legend Gary Galvin after the game struggled to hold back tears after his three sons and their team mates claimed premiership success, when asked about his club and his sons claiming the ultimate prize his response was simply…
“Best thing in life”
Capping things off Joel Galvin claimed the 2016 Wright Medal ahead of teammate Anthony Van Rooyen.
