Bothwell trumps favoured Triabunna in ODFA Grand Final

Bothwell trumps favoured Triabunna in ODFA Grand Final

In what was a real old fashioned arm wrestle in wet and trying conditions, the Bothwell Football Club trumped the more fancied Triabunna by 10 points to take out the Oatlands District Football Association grand final last Saturday. 

In front of 1500 vocal football enthusiasts, the Rabbits gained the early momentum, holding sway to lead at the first change by eight points with 4.3 to Triabunna’s three straight goals.

In the second term the rain began to fall and Triabunna hit back kicking 3.6 to Bothwell’s 1.1 taking the lead at the main break by a valuable nine points. 

In the premiership quarter, Bothwell began to handle the slippery conditions better and in turn pilied on 5.3 to the Kangaroos 3.3. 

The rabbits turning a nine point deficit into a six point lead by three quarter time. Standing at the huddle, anyone could see the Rabbits were never going to let the opportunity slip. 

With just 25 minutes remaining in the season, Bothwell’s coach Bradley Chaplin delivered an inspiring speech of his belief in his charges that they can get this over the line.

“Do it for your  mates, Do it for Everyone” was the catch cry.

With the rain still falling, Bothwell again had the momentum and more importantly the ticker, delivering the knockout blow kicking three goals to Triabunna’s 2.2. Every Bothwell player put their hand up, particularly in the moments when it mattered and none more so than Will Campbell who was judged best on ground for his efforts . 

The dynamic midfielder was everywhere and handled the wet conditions extremely and thoroughly deserved the medal. Bothwell had eight goal kickers. 

The in and under Brayden Chaplin lead the way with three crucial goals. Co-Captain Simon Bryant, Bailey Chaplin and association leading goal kicker Clinton Curtain all chipped in with two majors each while the BOG Will Campbell, Co-Captain Jamie Sokolski, Jacob Wigg and Jayden Wilton all contributed with one goal apiece. 

Wilton’s long bomb getting the crowd up and about. For Triabunna, none tried harder than Ryan Sweet and Blake Anderton, both were tireless contributors for the Roos, in particular Anderton who bagged four very good goals keeping his side in the game. 

It was interesting to note that both teams had the same number of scoring shots and there were 24 goals kicked in what was a fair day’s work in very unfavourable conditions.

Since joining the ODFA in 1987, Bothwell has now won eight senior premierships from10 attempts - 1989, 1997, 2005, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024. Runners up in 2002 & 2021. And in total, the club has now won a staggering 29 premierships in its history.

Of the Bothwell team from Saturday, the club has a “Fab Four” in James Shearing, Simon Bryant, Scott Bone and Jack Jenkins, all of whom have now played in the clubs last five premierships! Not a bad effort at all fellas! 

And after the big win, Coach Bradley Chaplin now joins an elite group of premiership coaches at Bothwell. Chaplin now sits one flag behind the great Albert Goggins with four and is level on three with Graham Brazendale who was regarded as arguably the greatest country footballer of his time.

The list - 

Albert Goggins (four) – 1940, 1947, 1948 & 1949.

Graham Brazendale (three) – 1951, 1952 & 1953.

Bradley Chaplin (three) - 2017, 2018 & 2024.

Furthermore to the history of this great club, when the siren sounded, number 32 in young Ty Turner joined his great grand father Anthony (known as Bill), grand father Steven and father Leigh as premiership players.

Yes, that’s four generations of the Turner family to have played in a winning grand final. And I believe this is now a club record. 

Further more - Ty definitely comes from some great pedigree. On his mother’s side is the Pennicott’s. Ty’s great grandfather Mickey and his great uncle Jeremy were both very good players with the Oatlands Football Club. Unreal. 

To the crew in Tracey and Scott Brazendale, Jacki Miller and Kristy and Riley Mayne for their work in making the banner. This looked fantastic to say the least and special mentions goes to Tracey Braz who I’m told always has a fantastic vision for the clubs banners used her artistic skills painting the excellent looking rabbit. Top job all. 

Lastly a big shout out to the ODFA committee. Despite the weather, a very strong crowd still turned out. The grand final program rivals any association from around Tasmania, a very good read indeed. And for the initiative of the souvenir poster of the winning team, this was also a real winner. Footy is on its the way back! 

Grand Final Details - 

Scores:

Bothwell: 4.2, 5.3, 10.6, 13.6. (84)

Triabunna: 3.0, 6.6, 9.6, 11.8. (74)

Goals:

Bothwell: Brayden Chaplin 3, Simon Bryant, Bailey Chaplin, Clinton Curtain 2, William Campbell, Jamie Sokolski, Jacob Wigg, Jayden Wilton.

Triabunna: Blake Anderton 4, Michael Fisher, Brendan Klok 2, Scott Boxall, Aaron Parker, Jack Wilson.

Best:

Bothwell: Outstanding Team Effort

Triabunna: Ryan Sweet, Blake Anderton, Austyn Cameron, Justin O’Brien, Michael Fisher, Jack Wilson.