Big V Big 5

By Justin Nelson

A huge grand final weekend in the Big V with five big stories to cap off a fantastic season.

Big D

Defence is king – just ask Waverley who are this week celebrating a Championship men’s championship after toppling the highly rated Hawks. Facts are facts – nobody outside of Waverley’s inner sanctum gave them a chance. Down a game and having lost by an average of 17pts in four games against the Hawks this season, nobody expected a clean sweep on the weekend by Waverley. Be honest! The winning factor was defence. Ringwood scored 100-plus points 12 times this season and finished a game in the 90s a total of nine times. Before the weekend Ringwood’s previous low score of the season was 84 points, well clear of the 58pts and 63pts they were restricted to by the Falcons. A blitzing defence held Ringwood’s shooting percentage to a paltry 34% - again, way below their normal output. But enough about Ringwood’s inability to win – Waverley executed a defensive game plan to perfection and basked in the glory. Ivan Platenik, Simon Blennerhassett, Sedale Threatt, Vashon Weaver and Marc Goodwin dominated the weekend, upstaging Ringwood’s plethora of stars. As good as the Hawks have been in 2010, credit to the underdogs because Waverley proved that when it mattered most it was the Falcons who soared higher than the Hawks.

Big Gulls

While we’re talking about birds, let’s heap some praise on the Gulls after a perfect sweep of D2 – men and women! Congratulation’s to Chelsea on winning both divisions, the men in three games against Mornington and the women in two against a gallant Western Port. The Chelsea lid was blown off earlier in the season and the club lived up to that hype by delivering when it mattered most.

Big Double

Three doubles deserve recognition. We’ve mentioned Chelsea, but congratulations also to Diamond Valley (YL1M & YLW) along with Altona (D1W & YL2M). For the two Eagles outfits and the D1W Gators it took three games to get the job done and in every case it was an exciting decider, especially in YLW where the clash between DV and Hawthorn was decided in overtime.

Big Star

Word up on the border suggests Kevin Smith has agreed to terms for 2011, but let’s start by getting season 2010 out of the way first. As expected Mildura finished Melton off in two games, but with 46pts and 41pts respectively there is no doubt K-Smith finished what he started this season. Easily the best player in D3M, we look forward to seeing the sharpshooter and his teammates move up to D2M next season and aim for another title.

Big B2B

What a fantastic effort by Melbourne University – the B2B (Back to Back) kings of the Big V. After winning D2M last season, there were plenty of knockers willing to write the Black Angels off in D1M this season. However, a total team focus and a slice of good fortune during the finals pushed the students to the top of the mountain. After surviving against Warrnambool in double O/T of their semi final clash, the Black Angels swept Geelong aside in two games. Credit where it is due – a quality team, a quality finals series and now a chance to show us what they’re capable of in Champ men if they take the big step