In a high-quality encounter, the McCarthy boys stole a march on their rivals when Ed Bourke fired in a powerful shot from wide on the right after 20 seconds to set the tone for the game. 

The Fossils were slow to settle and were rattled by the early intensity of the McCarthy defence, turning over possession too regularly and allowing McCarthy to dictate terms and shoot out to a three goal lead at quarter time courtesy of goals by Kane Clinch and Joey Mitchell whose slick passing combination with Bourke was causing havoc for the Farrer defence.

Farrer were also having a hard time getting past McCarthy’s goalie Barry Lane who put his body on the line to make a number of desperate saves.

McCarthy’s Doughal O’Reilly and Farrer’s Mark Simon were having an epic battle in front of goal throughout the game and eventually drew the attention of the referees.

McCarthy started the second quarter impressively with Ed George winning the swim off to set up Jake Mitchell who found the back of the goal, and when his brother Joey powered a shot into the corner shortly after, the 5-0 lead looked like it had settled the affair. 

However, Farrer were a more determined outfit in the second half, and Will Clinch, who had been tightly marked in the first period, started to make his presence felt, breaking away from within his own half and driving into the goal to get the Fossils on the board.

A comeback looked on the cards as Pat Sarungallo scored twice and Will Clinch fired home again to get Farrer back into the contest at 8-4, but McCarthy’s Jake Mitchell was having none of that and hammered in from distance to wrap up the contest.

McCarthy coach Kara Spicer said she was very proud of the McCarthy boys.

“It was a great effort. They kept the momentum going all season and they deserved their win tonight,” Ms Spicer said who was ringing wet after celebrating with a post-match swim.