Ocean Grove big man Ed Dayman has played a vital role as Wangaratta Rovers caused a massive upset in the Ovens and Murray grand final.
He won the ‘Did’ Simpson Medal as best-on-ground as the Hawks overcame the Steve Johnson-coached Yarrawonga by three points at Lavington Sports Ground on the Victoria-NSW border.
It was the Rovers’ first premiership in 30 years.
Dayman’s season appeared over when he suffered a syndesmosis injury in the Grubbers’ Round 8 loss to Drysdale.
However, Ocean Grove greenlighted his return home with the Ovens and Murray season running two weeks behind the Bellarine.
Dayman returned to action for Rovers in early August, playing the final four home-and-away games and four finals as cover for former Bell Park and Geelong VFL big Will Christie.
Christie, who had been sidelined since mid-season, returned in time for the grand final but played as a key forward, leaving Dayman to carry the ruck duties.
“Coming from the year I was having back in Geelong, it feels surreal, to be honest,” Dayman told The Weekly Times.
“My body had pretty much carked it in, and the chance of playing footy again was pretty low.”
No one was happier for Dayman’s success than Grubbers coach Dave Farrell.
“While we’re disappointed injury interrupted Ed’s season with us, we’re rapt that he got the opportunity to play in a premiership with his home club,” Farrell said.
While there was joy for Dayman and Christie, there was heartbreak for former Geelong Falcon and Newtown & Chilwell junior Lockey McCartney.
McCartney was a late out from the Rovers team for the decider after failing to overcome an injury to his AC joint.
For Johnson, it marked his last game in charge of the Pigeons, with the former Geelong star strongly linked to the vacant role with GFNL club Newtown & Chilwell.
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