Slick BITS Saints show dash in grand final triumph
AUSSIE RULES: Five goals to veteran BITS Saints Darren 'Dash' Boase propelled his team to the AFL Capricornia reserves premiership.
The Saints wanted it more, were harder at the contest and blew Yeppoon Swans away to win 12.13 (85) to 4.6 (30).
'Dash' and fellow veteran forward Lucas Hall (three goals) were too clever and made Swans star defender Jed Watkins accountable as opposed to what he is so good at and that's taking intercept marks across half-back.
BITS raced to a 3.7 (25) to 0.2 (2) lead at quarter-time and Boase said the team came swinging and they never eased up on the manic pressure.
"We came in with our backs against the wall and they were favourites,” he said of the Swans which had lost just one match earlier in the season.
"It was one of those games where there was no passengers.”
Boase explained the tactics used to nullify Watkins' influence.
"I went with my opponent to get to Watkins and that left Hally (Lucas Hall) on his own,” Boase said.
"I reckon I gave him a few goals.”
What made Boase's efforts more meritorious was that he nursed some sore ribs from an injury more than two months ago.
"They were about 70 per cent and still sore, but with the adrenalin and the grand final, you don't want that to stop you,” he added.
The experienced forward praised his team-mates and with best afield Jason Saatci in control at centre half back along with Brodie Coles and midfielder Nathan Mafrici.
Adam Dickenson starred in the middle of the ground in a complete team effort while ruckman Ky Hull took crucial marks in the middle of the ground early.
"Before the game, as one of the older players, I gave the younger ones advice to keep calm and not to play the game in their heads,” Boase said.
He added that the starts have been impressive in the finals.
"We seem to have been the first-quarter specialists and we did the same thing in the previous week,” Boase said.
"We were up by a few goals and you could see that their heads had dropped and they were getting frustrated.”
The Swans were undermanned in the final term while BITS kicked away with another four goals.
"Lucas Hall, he had two knee reconstructions and he was told that he was not going to play footy,” Boase said.
"He hasn't played in 10 years and for him to get back to playing is great.
"Brendan Huth has never played Aussie Rules before and this was his first season and his marking ability was great.”
Saints coach Andrew McMahon said all players showed leadership.
"In all honesty, I just steer the ship,” he said.
"They coach themselves and are very good on field when it comes to rotations.”
Boase has played in many successful premierships with BITS and said the elation is like no other.
"There's obviously lots of joy and relief,” he said.
"It could be a once in a lifetime thing for some of these guys and this team may never be the same again.”
SCORE
AFL Capricornia grand final
BITS Saints 12.13 (85) d Yeppoon Swans 4.6 (30)