By David Nagel
The stars aligned perfectly for Inverloch-Kongwak on Saturday with gun recruits joining forces with some familiar faces to bring home the 2023 premiership cup.
Ten players made it a memorable double on the weekend, with Andrew Soumilas, Clinton McCaughan, Dylan Clark, Lewis Rankin, Michael Eales, Oscar Toussaint, Shem Hawking, Toby Mahoney, Tom Hams and Thomas Wyatt all tasting success at Inverloch in 2017.
A star-studded list of recruits then arrived this year with Bailey Patterson, Kairon Dorling, Nick Baltas, Tate Short and Will Hams all quickly becoming very important cogs of the Sea Eagles’ machine.
Soumilas also returned this year, while for Archer Reid, Ethan Park, Jarvis Pryor, Jordan Tomas, Lachlan Scott, Marcus Toussaint and Taite Cumming, 2023 will go down as their inaugural premiership year at Inverloch.
Remarkably, while looking unbelievably settled on grand final day, the Sea Eagles played 44 players this year…more than any other team in the WGFNC.
Only Rankin and Scott played all 20 games this season
Some of that was born from injuries to key players, while a fast-start to the season allowed Tom Hams and his coaching staff to manage their list better than most.
The Sea Eagles also blooded some youngsters, opening the book on future success stories for the club.
Two players that had an enormous impact this season were Baltas and Short, who came as a package deal from VAFA club Caulfield Grammarians.
Short has dominated across half back, while Baltas has brought a touch of class across midfield and half-forward.
The 25-year-old played juniors at Murrumbeena and Old Caulfield and has had a stint with Richmond in the VFL.
He said his first season at Inverloch had opened his eyes in respect of a true community club.
“It’s an amazing club with a lot of supporters,” Baltas said post-match.
“I’ve never really played at a club with that netball backing as well, so to see that from a club perspective was amazing.
“They’ve welcomed us with open arms.
“Tate had a connection with one other person, but we didn’t know anyone really.
“Now we’ve got best mates here…we’ve had an amazing year and we couldn’t have asked for any better.”
Baltas said his connection with Short goes back a long way.
“We’ve been best mates since the first day of year seven, we hit it off straight away,” he said.
“We’ve played footy together as well, so we’ve had a very special connection together for a long time…he’s the best mate I’ve had in my life.
“We drive in to training, and every Saturday together, and we came here to win today, so to have it all go to plan is pretty special.
“We spoke after the game; this is why we came…and it’s a great feeling.
“I’m over the moon.”
Baltas has built a reputation as a big-game performer, and once again delivered on the big stage.
“I just like to embrace it, because you don’t get these opportunities very often,” he said.
“I think how lucky we are to be here, and to just make the most of it and don’t be too nervous.
“I just wanted to embrace the stage and help my team win.
“I just gave it everything I’ve got.”
Soumilas is a living legend of community football having won five league best and fairest awards…and now matching that with five premierships.
He won at Garfield in 2004, at Narre Warren in 2012 before returning to Garfield for its 2013 success.
He has now won two with Inverloch-Kongwak, adding this year’s title to that of 2017.
“To me personally this is pretty special, because I’d only played seven games in the last four years, and I probably had a lot of self-doubt as to whether I was still good enough,” he said.
“I’m rapt…I’m absolutely rapt.”
Several heavy head-knocks and concussions had dented the champions confidence, but he decided to return to play with his mates.
“We had a five-year reunion, late last year, I caught up with the boys and it came from there,” he said.
“I love Inverloch as a club, but I just don’t like travelling, but I thought I’ll come back, do a pre-season, and see how I go.
“I managed to play out the year…and I’m glad I did…it’s so satisfying now.
“This club is built on really fantastic people, a really friendly club and just a great bunch of blokes, with no egos, good on the banter, just great mates going out and playing footy,” he said.
While he is now 40-years-old, Soumilas believes he still has plenty to offer.
“I’ve never been quick, and I’m not getting any younger, but for me it’s just winning it in tight, flicking it out, or winning repeat stoppages, and using my leadership and keeping things simple,” he said.
“The experience helps on a day like today, in big games some players get a bit overawed and find themselves in the wrong positions.
“I can’t move like I used to…but my leadership is something I have that can help the team have success.”
At the opposite end of the scale is 18-year-old Taite Cumming, the only player to have played in the 2022 thirds premiership and back it up with a senior flag this year.
He hasn’t been at the club long, moving from Leongatha in 2021, but has already fallen for its culture.
“I came to the club only a few years ago, into a really strong 18s team, and then following it up this year, I feel speechless and it’s a bit surreal to be honest,” he said.
“It’s unreal, I just love the experience and wisdom that they (teammates0 have and you can’t help but learn from those guys.
“They just make you feel part of the team.
“I absolutely go and tap into their knowledge, and ask them questions, or they’re always happy to give advice and give me direction out on the field.
“I love the club, love my teammates, and love the community around it.”
For Dylan Clark, a veteran at Inverloch, 2023 has thrown up its challenges.
“It’s been a challenging year, there’s no doubt about that,” he reflected, with premiership medal around his neck.
“I had knee issues at the start of the year, which we were managing, and the plan was to play the key games and take the breaks when we could.
“We put early wins on the board, but then I came back and pinged a calf, so that was the story from round six all the way through to round 16.
“I played a game and it pulled up no good, so it’s been frustrating, at age 33, because you don’t know if you’re going to get back out there and play.
“But we made a decision that everything was built towards finals.
“Over the last few weeks, I pretty much left no stone unturned to make sure I was right for finals.
“Physio, Osteo, pilates, pool…everything you can think of, and I just had to train my arse off over the last two weeks and prove that I was fit.
“Selection was tight on Thursday night, but (Tom Hams) Hamsy showed the faith and now it’s paid off.”
