By Grant Hitzman
Coomera have stormed home in the final term of the 2013 SEQAFL Division 3 grand final to defeat Beenleigh by 32-points.
The Magpies scratched and clawed their way to a 14.12 (96) to 9.10 (64) victory, fighting back from a four goal deficit mid-way through the third quarter to snatch victory.
Coomera made a blistering start to the contest, kicking three goals in just six-minutes to put all the pressure on their adversaries.
Beenleigh looked hungry however, refusing to let three consecutive losses to the Magpies deter their premiership aspirations.
Andrew Soutar provided some excellent run off the half-back line for the Buffaloes in the first term, opening up space and creating chances for his tall danger men.
Beenleigh simply had too much time in the first half, their superior ball use resulting in a 17-point lead at the main exchange.
Business picked up where it left off in the third stanza for Beenleigh, Ashley Templar adding another goal to put the Magpies 24-points adrift.
It was looking grim for Coomera, and an upset loss was on the cards unless something drastic happened.
Rick Pritchett breathed life into the deflated Magpies outfit, kicking a clutch goal towards the end of the third quarter to spark a comeback.
Coomera went on to kick another three majors before three-quarter time, levelling the score at 57-57.
And from then on, the Magpies proved why they only lost one game in 2013, kicking six of the last seven goals in the final term to squash Beenleigh’s hopes of a sensational upset.
As the final siren sounded, it was jubilation for Coomera, a near perfect season capped off with a hard earned premiership.
Buffaloes’ key forward, Ashley Templar, cracked the 100 goal barrier with four majors, on an otherwise forgettable day for the club.
The UQ Redlions defeated Coomera 16.7 (103) to 14.8 (92) to win the reserves grand final.
match galleries at https://www.facebook.com/AFLQUEENSLAND
