NAVARRE remains the yardstick in the Maryborough-Castlemaine District Football-Netball League after capturing its fourth-consecutive flag on Sunday.
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The Grasshoppers proved far too strong for a disappointing Carisbrook at Princes Park, comfortably winning 10.12 (72) to 4.7 (31).
Navarre is now the first club since Talbot (1995-1998) to win four senior MCDFNL premierships in a row.
As for Carisbrook, the Redbacks have now lost three consecutive grand finals.
While the gap had seemingly closed this year from Navarre to the rest of the competition given the Grasshoppers lost two games after going through undefeated the previous two seasons, they gave a reminder of just how far ahead of the chasing pack they still are with a dominant grand final display.
The Grasshoppers played the game on their terms and lever let up until the final siren, with acts of desperation and fierce tackling deep into the last quarter, despite the flag having been well and truly sewn up at the last change.
Earlier, the Grasshoppers’ advantage was just five points at the 17-minute mark of the second quarter as they led 4.3 to 3.4.
However, two crucial goals against the wind to Cody Driscoll and Jesse Hannett gave the Grasshoppers a 17-point half-time lead, 6.3 to 3.4.
The Grasshoppers then showed why the third term is known as the “premiership quarter” when they cracked the game wide open.
While the Redbacks struggled to get the ball forward of centre and managed just two behinds for the quarter, the Grasshoppers added 4.7, with goals to co-coach Ash Driscoll, former coaches Ben Martin and Daniel Parkin and Cody Driscoll to lead by a commanding 46 points at three quarter-time.
The Redbacks kicked the only goal of the last quarter through Luke Treacy, while earlier, they also kicked the first of the match through Nathan Wright in what was a positive start.
But the only two other goals the Redbacks kicked came in the space of two minutes during the second quarter through Jayden Hind and Nick Wright.
The two best on ground medals were won by Navarre midfielders Sam Kaye (AFL Victoria Country) and Louis Hannett (MCDFNL).
Berry Powell medallist Josh Fowkes capped a superb season with a fine game in the ruck and up forward, while defenders in Josh Monaghan, Aiden Lee and skipper Brent Flood were also among the best for the Grasshoppers.
Half-back Cole Roscholler, Nathan Wright and wingman Lewis Rinaldi were the best for the Redbacks.
As well as the senior football, Navarre also won a fourth-straight A-grade netball flag with a 44-33 win over Trentham.