After a seven-year hiatus, Altona is finally back at the top of Bowls Victoria’s premier division.
The A’s claimed a record sixth metro title with a 79-70 win over Bundoora RSL at Mulgrave Country Club on Sunday.
A’s skip Brett Foley couldn’t contain his delight as his club broke clear of Melbourne to be the winningest club in competition history.
“It’s bloody brilliant,” he said. “The boys are ecstatic, everyone’s got a smile on their dial.”
Altona’s previous premiership came in 2006-07 when it stood unmatched on top of the honour roll.
The past seven years have seen the A’s endure a dry spell, with Melbourne picking up two flags in that period to square the ledger.
When the A’s saluted in a tense final on Sunday, they snatched back their post as the competition’s most successful club.
Foley said his players “pride themselves” on winning the close ones and they had to stay true to that in the big dance.
“It was a tough tussle, but when the big bowls were there to be played at the end, we played them,” Foley said.
The A’s claimed three of the four rinks.
Brad Peck was the A’s’ biggest winner: a 22-14 triumph over Adam Galloway.
Foley stood firm to beat Nick McIntyre 22-15 and Shane Fordham edged out in-form Damon Di Florio 19-17 in the tightest battle of the day.
Mathew Rennex drew the short straw having to face Brett Spurr and suffered a 24-16 loss, but the A’s have had each other’s back all season.
“There’s only one board that matters in the final – the big board. The other three rinks all had a win to cover that, and that’s what it’s all about,” Foley said.
The A’s had a near-flawless build-up to the season, signing Michael Vessiko and Shane Fordham.
The club fired its first warning shots in the pre-season and carried the form over to the season proper where it was minor premier.
In the finals, it beat Bundoora in week one to earn direct passage to the grand final and it repeated the dose to land the holy grail.
Foley said the key to the summer had been the unbreakable bond between the players.
“We’re always finding things to do on weekends; we go to the races and go out on a Saturday night together.
“That’s how you win premierships. You’re best mates with each other and I couldn’t think of a better bunch of blokes than we’ve got at Altona this year.”
