Waverley's Daniel Dillon made a crucial late play as the Falcons made it back-to-back championship wins. Picture: CARMELO BAZZANO

 

GIANT-KILLERS, upset kings, call them what you want, there’s only one thing the Waverley Falcons need to be known as - back-to-back premiers.

The Falcons won their second consecutive Big V State Championship men’s grand final on Saturday night, taking Game 2 from raging favourites Eltham by just two points at Eltham High School.

It was the same margin by which the Falcons squeezed past the Wildcats after double-overtime in Game 1 and came after a frantic final few minutes.

The Falcons were in front for most of the match, taking an early lead which grew to 10 points by the half.

Eltham reduced that lead to eight at three-quarter time before launching an attack that saw it hit the lead late in the contest.

The Falcons hit back and, after a Daniel Dillon put back in the final minute, regained the lead and held it until the final buzzer.

Despite scoring just 10 points in the final term, Waverley won the game, 75-73, and the grand final series, 2-0.

Waverley coach Eric Minerve said he felt his team had controlled the game.

“They mounted a comeback late in the fourth, but we were able to weather that storm and retain our focus on what we had to do,” he said.

“The shots went our way and we put ourselves in a position to win.

“They did get in front after they hit some big threes.

“Simon (Blennerhassett) hit a big shot for us, Ivan (Platenik) did the work inside and Sedale Threatt controlled it at the point.

“Daniel Dillon made the last offensive play of the game to put us up by two, before they had a couple of chances and missed.”

Platenik was the Falcons’ top-scorer in the scrappy contest, finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Threatt scored 18 points.

With both teams shooting poorly, it was Waverley’s ability to get to the line that proved the difference.

The Falcons earned 12 more free throw attempts than Eltham to gain a four-point advantage over the Wildcats.

Minerve said the back-to-back achievement was made even better by being the less-favoured team each time.

“We came in against the odds, against very talented sides,” he said.

“It’s a credit to the guys and their character and togetherness to get up and prevail.

“I don’t think we’ll be able to play the underdog card any more.

“We’ll have a few quiet ones now and just savour the moment.”