Little could Premiers player/coach Logan Marsh and new President Rodney Rasmussen have dared to dream that 2012 was going to be their first Grand Final winning season. 

President Rasmussen admitted recently that at the time they made the decision to field a team back in the Premier League after being out for so long they were struggling to get enough players to filed a Second Division team let alone a Premiership team. 

But as the old expression goes 'fortune favours the brave' and at full time last Saturday at Endeavour Park, the mighty Verri Industries Douglas 'Dragons' United Premiers had convincingly won the Grand Final 3-2 against the talented minor Premiers Leichhardt.
 
The Dragons dominated the game for much of the 90 minutes but by consistently pushing up on Leichhardt, they often left themselves open to the counter attack. 

Leichhardt just would not admit defeat and whenever there was the slightest opening the Dragons' defensive discipline and the superb goalkeeping skills of Gary 'Gazza' Fitzgerald  were up for the job. 

Leichhardt went into half time having surprisingly taken the lead against the run of play just before the half time whistle and the Dragons went in at the break a little stunned from not having capitalised on their possession dominance. 

After a full and frank discussion at half time, the Dragons came out with more constructive purpose about their game.  Some of their short passing game had Leichhardt flat footed and chasing ghosts as the Dragons drew level via an amazing overhead kick from Ian Marsh and a set piece header from Dragons captain Nick Tither to move confidently into a 2 - 1 lead. 

However, once again Lechhardt would not accept defeat and when the Dragons' defence could not cleanly clear the ball out of the six yard box, Leichardt drove a low volley into the back of the net to level things up again with just a few minutes remaining. 

The Dragons did not drop their heads, they quickly regrouped and went into another gear to produce the move of the match with 'Man of the match' Nick Houghton rising at the back post to head the winner in on the end of a beautifully flighted cross from the wing.

The final whistle could not come quickly enough for the Douglas crowd as Leichhardt threw everything at the Dragons.  Leichhardt had a penalty claim rejected for diving and whilst they did get the ball in the net again barging the goalkeeper out of the way to score doesn't count. 

And so the celebrations rang out from the terraces.  Current president Rodney Rasmussen was the first onto the pitch as the referee blew for full time lifting Player/Coach Logan Marsh off his feet. 

A well fought battle, played in a spirit of fair play by both sides and refereed very well.  In winning this title for the first time in their 46 year history the Douglas Dragons dispelled the unwarranted criticism some media had levelled at them for a being a long ball team. 

This match was won through excellent quality intelligent football with a good passing game and a disciplined approach in every position. 

Past President Darren Case said after the game, "It has taken five Presidents over the years to keep the faith and reach this pinnacle of achievement, now we can move on and up'. 

Congratulations go out to all the players, officials, sponsors and supporters for making it a night and year to remember.

It should be noted as well that the Verri Industries Douglas Dragons Reserves only lost their Grand Final on Friday evening also at Endeavour Park with the last kick of the game going down 4-3 after having come back from 2-0 down to take the lead 3-2 in the second half. 

A disappointment for the Reserves but no disgrace by any means and a great learning curve to make them even hungrier for next season.

So overall 2012 was a season that exceeded all expectations for the everyone at the club....Go the Dragons!