Tim Smith leads South Belgrave to premiership glory in another Grand Final thriller

South Belgrave held on for a two-point Grand Final win over Park Orchards at Pinks Reserve on Sunday.

It’s the second time in three seasons that the Saints have played off in a Grand Final that was decided by less than a kick and unlike 2023, South Belgrave was on the right side of the scoreboard at the end of the afternoon.

South Belgrave 8.19 67 defeated Park Orchards 8.17 65.

The man of the moment, South Belgrave captain Tim Smith delivered on the big stage. The ultimate highlight for the Saints, Smith took the game saving mark in the final seconds of the game, emulating Leo Barry of the 2005 AFL Grand Final.

In a 35-minute final quarter, the Saints held off the Sharks who were kicking with the wind. An eight-point lead for South Belgrave was evaporated in the opening seven minutes of the quarter after goals via Downie and Ciampa.

Returning to the field from a yellow card in the third-term, Blake Simondson lifted the group with an on the run goal. It was followed two minutes later, Mitch Garner converted a set-shot to extend the lead to nine points, the last score of the game for the Saints.

On the stats sheet, Park Orchards had 16 inside 50’s to seven, and seven more clearances than South Belgrave in the last term. The final seven scores of the game were all behinds for Park Orchards.

Due to the tricky conditions across the afternoon, both sides struggled at converting their opportunities in front of the big sticks, a combined total of 36 behinds, over double of the goals kicked on the day.

Tim Smith was awarded the best on ground honours, the second time he’s achieved the feat in the space of four years after a 2022 Best on Ground performance.

South Belgrave will enter Premier Division for the first time in the club’s history in 2026!