by Billy Vickers (Twitter: @vickers_billy)
IF at first you don’t succeed try, try, again.
After three straight Division 2 Grand Final appearances for the Montrose Football Club, it’s third time lucky, accounting for Mooroolbark in the Division 2 Grand Final at Tomore Reserve today.
In 2011, the Demons watched Lilydale move to the premier class. A 13-point loss. Almost there.
Surely it was the Demons’ turn in 2012, but the fourth-longest premiership drought in the EFL continued, nightmarishly going down to Rowville by 10 points.
The Demons were again consigned to the second division for another year.
However, the business of football doesn’t allow you to dwell in the past, despite the blows and scars of previous years. There’s always a new season and another chance to reach the top.
And that’s exactly what the Demons did, finishing atop of the ladder, an impressive 16-2 record with both losses by a mere single point.
However, you can only imagine that the minor premiership was just a blip in the Montrose’s radar, consumed with the ultimate prize still to come.
The Demons’ first final opponents turned out to be the team they’d meet again in the ‘Choose Tap’ Grand Final – the Mustangs.
Having suffered a painstaking loss to Mooroolbark in the home and away season, the Demons were determined to make a statement and craft a direct passage to Grand Final day.
They disposed of Mooroolbark: 10-8-68 to 6-10-46. And knowing full well the high chance of facing the Mustangs in the big one, the victory not only secured a spot but provided a clear psychological advantage.
So for the third time in as many years, Montrose had qualified, another chance to write the wrongs of the past and claim that elusive flag.
The game began in ominous conditions. The Dandenongs shrouded in cloud after a sunny morning.
It was a reasonably competitive and even first quarter, however the Demons kicked away in the second term, capitalising on their opportunities in the forward 50 with pivotal forward, Billy Schilling, becoming an influence.
The premiership quarter was an evenly fought contest, with the Mustangs throwing everything at the Demons. But as premiership sides often do, the Demons had the answers and were able to hold onto their advantage.
It was a 32-point buffer at three-quarter time, but the Demons knew better than anyone that the game was far from over and Mooroolbark would want to finish off its season fiercely.
Despite Daniel Lemon kicking the first goal of the final term, Montrose again had the answers and enough in the tank.
The Dees weren’t going to let this one slip through their fingers.
Rowan Hore kicked the sealer at the 15-minute mark and the party had officially started for the Demons faithful.
The 21-year premiership drought had finally come to an end.
A vital part of Montrose’s success in the win was playing-coach Brett Johnson, who expressed his relief of breaking the Grand Final hoodoo after the final siren.
‘Montrose is a very hard-working club and has been knocking on the door for a long time,’ he excitedly said.
‘The club sticks together and they are a great bunch of guys who deserve the win.’
The Demons have suffered their fair share of heartache over the past two seasons. But through their perseverance, they’ve now clinched the ultimate reward.
After coming so close in recent years, the premier division of the EFL now beckons for the Montrose Football Club.
So the siren sounded and the long-suffering Demons supporters joined their playing group in the centre square. Ten-deep, the song and the relief flowed as one.
Every heart beats true for the Red and Blue.
