IS this the greatest day in the history of the Williamstown Lacrosse Club? The Fearons have scaled great heights over the years and are perennially feared in the Lacrosse Victoria ranks.
On Saturday, they took it up a level, doing the unimaginable and winning five out of five on grand final day.
“It was a clean sweep,” Fearons head coach Jai Carroll excitedly told the Weekly. “It’s a top effort. It’s never been done before.”
The pressure on the Fearons No.1 side was intense. They had kept a close eye on the results from the lower divisions and with every one came a premiership.
The division 1 side thrashed Moreland 23-2; division 2 won a local derby 20-9 over Altona; division 3 edged out Malvern 13-8; and the under-18s shocked a Southern Supremes combined side 14-13.
The Fearons were in arm’s reach of perfection.
“We were a bit nervous going into it,” Carroll said.
“The under-18s and all three senior sides had won, so we were playing the last game of the day thinking, oh, Jeez, we don’t want to drop this.”
The Fearons stuck to their end of the bargain with an 18-10 domination of long-time adversary Malvern in the men’s state league final at PJ Lynch Reserve.
They were in control from the first face-off till the time they had to find a car boot big enough to lug home the prestigious Joel Fox Shield for the 30th time and the fourth in five years.
The Fearons scored five goals to one in the opening quarter to lead by four at the first break. They extended their lead with a six goals to two second term and had the game in the bank by the last quarter, holding a 14-6 lead.
Try as they might in the last, Malvern was never going to catch up, and the Fearons’ eight-goal victory sparked club-wide celebrations.
Carroll said the best part was the attacking style in which it was achieved.
“We play a style of lacrosse you can’t coach. We play it fast and people try to adapt to it, but you can’t.
“We make mistakes, but we go all out and don’t hold anything back. It’s something that’s been a part of Williamstown — it’s in the blood.”
Darren Nicholas had an unforgettable day, and season, for the Fearons.
The veteran was the grand final MVP and also club best-and-fairest.
The one-time Australian international is showing no signs of wear and tear either.
“He’s 37 and probably in the best shape he’s ever been in,” Carroll said.
“He’s just an amazing talent. He dominated at the face-off and scored a few goals as well.”
It might have been all high fives on a glorious day for the Fearons, but Aaron Lawman was drinking from a six-pack. The attacker finished with a game-best six goals.
Daniel Jennings, best known as the side’s goalscorer, turned provider with three assists to go with a goal.
Carroll said the best part of coaching the Fearons was their depth across the board.
“We’re dangerous from No.1 to No.16. Everyone gets amongst it and produces. That’s the luxury of coaching Williamstown.
“We’ve got that much firepower. It doesn’t matter where it comes from, we’ve always got someone who stands up on the day and gets the job done.”
