Hawks go back-to-back in Victorian Blind Football League

The 2024 Victorian Blind Football League (VBFL) season has officially concluded with the Grand Final being played between Hawthorn and Port Melbourne on Sunday 28 July at Action Indoor Sports Centre, Tullamarine.

It was a classic match between the Hawks and the Borough, who entered the competition for the first time this season, and were hugely successful in qualifying for the Grand Final in the club's first VBFL season. It was a tightly contested battle that was played in fantastic spirit, which saw the reigning premiers hold on to win the VBFL premiership for a second year in a row. 

FINAL SCORES

Hawthorn Football Club 11.21 (87) def Port Melbourne Football Club 10.12 (72)

GOALS

Hawthorn: N Brewer-Maiga 3, S Obeid 1, J Boland 1, S Nero 1, C Johnson 1

Port Melbourne: N Letts 2, R Fairbank 2, B Wilson 1, M Cameron 1

MATCH REPORT (thanks to Austen Krueger)

The first quarter saw the Borough get an early jump on the Hawks as Reuben Fairbank got the first goal for Port Melbourne and then assisted Nathan Letts to score an A-Class major (18pts) as the Borough led 24 to 1 at the start of the first quarter. The Hawks were able to get one back for themselves through Cebby Johnson as the first term came to an end with Port leading 24 to 21 at the first break.

Hawthorn were able to break the game open in the second quarter, putting up a score of 47 - 7 in the second term to get the game back on their terms. Johnny Boland of the Hawks was able to break through in the opening 15 seconds followed by Ned Brewer-Maiga snapping through seconds later. Down the other end of the ground, Steve Obied was playing a defensive role and completely shut down the Borough's forays forward, allowing the Hawks to lead 68-33 at half-time.

Things started to tighten up in the third quarter. with both teams only scoring 10 points apiece as goals were proving hard to come by, allowing Hawthorn to maintain its 35 point lead coming into the final term.

The Borough tried desperately to come back in this game. Fairbank was diving across the turf putting his body on the line, Bridget Jolley and Courtney Lewis did a wonderful job in halting Hawthorn's scoring ability in the second half. Matt Cameron and Nathan Luke played their roles superbly. After consecutive goals Port Melbourne did have an opportunity with 90 seconds to go to hit the lead, but unfortunately for the Borough, it wasn't meant to be.

Back-to-back Grand Final victories for the Hawthorn Football Club who managed to hold on in what was a fantastic game of football. Congratulations to the Hawks and to Steve Obeid who was awarded the best-on-ground medal for his efforts.

Condolences to Port Melbourne. What a year it was for them, and we look forward to seeing them in 2025.