Barwon Heads broke a 26-year senior Bellarine Football League premiership drought with a 14-point win over Torquay in the BFL grand final on 14 September.
Barwon Heads 13.7 (85) defeated Torquay 10.11 (71) at Spring Creek Reserve at Torquay.
Last year ladder leader Barwon Heads went into last year’s grand final as raging favourites only to be upstaged by eventual premiers Modewarre.
The club’s 2018 grand final appearance was its first senior BFL grand final since the Seagulls’ 1993 flag triumph over Ocean Grove.
Barwon Heads playing co-coach Mitch Herbison said the 2019 premiership win was a major celebration for the town of Barwon Heads.
Locals got behind its team with streamers filling street poles at major intersections, while ‘Go Seagulls’ signs were spread coming into the town before the day.
Barwon Heads town residents tied Seagulls’ banners to their homes draped in blue and white footy colours.
“The support has been there all year, not just (the BFL Grand Final),” Herbison told the Voice.
“It wasn’t just us playing, there were other teams playing as well in netball and footy.
“The support of all those teams is fantastic.”
An ex-Barwon Heads junior, Herbison who played with GFL club South Barwon from 2010 to 2016, said it was an amazing feeling to help lead his side to its first BFL senior premiership in 26 years.
“Coming back to my home club makes it really special,” he said.
“There are a lot of supporters and people involved in the club.
“Obviously the club has had a lot of time between its last premiership.
“To come back home and win a flag with the whole team is amazing.”
Star Seagull Zach Walter, 20, was named best on ground – it was a significant day for the Walter family as Zach’s father Matt played in Barwon Heads’ last BFL senior premiership in 1993.
MEANTIME the club’s E Grade netball team won their grand final against Ocean Grove.
Barwon Heads Under 19s football team lost to Ocean Grove in their Division Two grand final by 21 points, while the Seagulls were runners-up in 17/Under Division 2, 13/Under Division 1, 19/Under, 15/Under Division 1 and B Grade netball deciders.
