Brunswick’s reserves crowned a dominant season with a thoroughly deserved premiership – their second in three years – by convincingly defeating St Mary’s Salesian by 24 points at La Trobe University on Saturday.

Kicking into a howling wind in the first quarter, the NOBs defended well, only conceding two goals, while playing coach Ben Daly’s one into it was like gold dust.

The wind dropped a little in the second term, but the wet ball was making life difficult for all concerned, and it took until the 16-minute mark for Lachlan Pearson to land a long bomb and get things going. Anthony Alexandris followed up a few minutes later from 40m after a good mark and, for the first time in the game, the NOBs had the lead, which they wouldn’t relinquish for the rest of the day.

As the wind strengthened in the third term, the Brunswick defenders withstood St Mary’s attacks and didn’t concede a goal, while at the other end veteran Matthew Dickson snapped one to ensure the NOBs took a critical 10-point lead into the final change. The mecurial Johnny Haddad then kicked a goal in the opening 20 seconds of the last quarter to shut out the Saints, and it was fitting that Daly put the finishing touches on the victory with a classy major in time-on.

The medal for best-on-ground went to hardworking midfielder Josh Mackie, while key defender Ari Paevere was also enormous on the day, marking everything that came near him when others struggled to handle the wet ball. Captain Adam Bevanda was also mighty in the ruck, and others to play well included the consistent Aidan Pollock, Pearson, Zephyr Hooke and Dom Oswald.

Congratulations to Ben, Bev and all who played for the NOBs’ reserves in 2024 for their season (with only one loss) and for bringing home another flag to Gillon Oval!