MELBOURNE Demons have put an end to their near-sixty-year Premiership drought, winning the 2021 AFL Grand Final against the Western Bulldogs by 74 points.
The Dee’s came out strong during the first quarter, but the Bulldogs managed to creep in front during the second, scoring goal after goal.
Melbourne was hungry for the win though, and brought it back, scoring 12 straight goals in the third and fourth quarters and putting the AFL’s longest premiership drought to bed.
On the field, former Mooroopna Cats player, Clayton Oliver, played a ruthless game across all four quarters. He finished delivering 10 tackles, 33 disposals, and 13 contested possessions.
Clayton was rated the fourth-best Grand Final player, after Bulldog’s captain, Marcus Bontempelli; Bulldog’s, Adam Treloar; and Norm Smith medal winner, Melbourne’s Christian Petracca. The young and accomplished player also received the third most votes for the Brownlow. Now with a Grand Final win under his belt, there is no saying what Clayton will go on to achieve.
Latham Vandermeer, also a former Mooroopna player, did not grace the oval at Optus Stadium in Perth due to a hamstring injury and the return of two senior players.Bill Dowling, president of the Mooroopna Cats said, “It was always going to be a great day for one of the boys and a huge disappointment for the other!”
“For Clayton and Melbourne, it could not have been any better. Clayton played a big hand in Melbourne’s victory, being one of the Demons best in their first premiership in 57 years.”
“Unfortunately for Laith, the Western Bulldogs were overrun and as the medical sub, Laith did not get onto the ground this time. However, I am sure there will be further chances for Laith down the track with the Western Bulldogs. Both sides will be very strong for a number of years.”
