Standing: M.Tarca, G.Muegel, D.Powell, R.Catic, M.Hains, D.Royals, C.Ramsey, T.Bailey, M. Ranger, D. Freer, D.Bailey, B.J.Innes, C.Kemp, S.Rowe, D.Berry.
Front: R.Catic, B.Clements, A.Williams, D.Pickering, S.Saprinidis, M.Kain, young nick.
Very Front: D.Martin, D.Goodwin .Absent: P.Tidswell, D.Trembath, V.Fitzgibbons, D.Steinberg (bench coach), Tammy (trainer)

Exactly one year had passed since the 5 point thriller at Edwardstown that saw PHOSC triumph over a previously undefeated Goodwood Saints for the A9 South flag. The two A9 powerhouses would meet again in quite similar, yet rather different, circumstances at Panther Park in 1999.

The C grade side that season had 1st time coach and staunch club man Bruce Clements at the helm. Fielding a side every week was not always easy and throughout the year, retired Phantoms, one after the other, were coaxed out of retirement to make up the numbers. However they played along side some very handy football talent that was in for the long haul. That enthusiasm was infectious, and by finals time the 1999 C grade line up was a veritable who's who of Phantoms footy of the early nineties. The finals squad had an average age of 31.5 years, which included 18 year old Chris Ramsey. It also had vast amount of talent and experience.

With finals football looming, blokes actually started to go out to training. (up to 1 time a week in some cases) PHOSC scraped into the final four and faced PAOC in the 1st Semi.
The 'jovial pre-match meeting' of players was no where to be seen in the rooms before the match. For now it was finals time, and these blokes were old. This would be the last chance to taste premiership glory for a lot of these guys and they were not about to let it pass them by. At half time the 'jovial meeting' of players had resumed as the 'Winnie Blues' were handed around with PHOSC leading 17 goals to none.

1st Semi Final - Final score;
PHOSC 29 . 17 (184)
PAOC 2 .5 (17)
Best: Everyone
Goals: B. Clements 7, G, Muegel 5, D. Martin 4, M. Ranger, D. Pickering 3, A. Williams 2, S. Saprinidis, M. Kain, D. Bailey, C, Ramsey, C. Kemp

The Phantoms were hitting their straps at the right time of the season and met traditional rivals Edwardstown in a hard fought preliminary final. This match was memorable for Mark "Hurricane' Hains colliding so hard with an unfortunate Townie that it induced a thunder storm and effectively finished the game as a contest with PHOSC up by 7 goals midway through the last quarter. As it pissed down for the rest of the day, both teams slugged it out with great spirit right to the bitter end.

Preliminary Final - Final score;
PHOSC 9 . 8 (62)
Edwardstown 2 .9 (21)
Best: S. Saprinidis, D. Berry, D. Royals, M. Kain, S. Catic
Goals: D. Pickering 3, D. Martin, M. Ranger, S, Rowe 2

It would be fair to say that the side now being labeled 'Legends' was starting to feel the pinch of playing several matches in a row, and many were carrying niggling injuries into the big one. But what the side lacked in fitness, it certainly made up for in many other areas. (skill, courage, heart and finals experience) With Goodwood having an exceptional minor round and then dishing out a 9 goal thumping to Edwardstown in the 2nd Semi, they went into the match fresh and firm favorites.

From the opening bounce the Phantoms were on the attack building an early lead with Mark Kain, Simon Saprinidis and Darren 'Boggy' Martin giving plenty of drive through the middle. Steven Rowe, Bruce Clements and Greg Muegel were lively up forward and Cory Kemp and Sherif Catic were dangerous around the packs. The Goodwood forward line had the three highest goalscorers in the league and loomed as a potent force. However the Phantoms rather scary back six, which included Damian 'Omen' Powell, Dale 'Bloodnut' Berry, Roman 'Sandles' Catic, Andrew 'Willy' Williams, Darren 'Ratti' Royals and Tony 'Titta' Bailey, were as tight as a camel's bum in a sandstorm and allowed them little opportunity. By half time PHOSC had skipped away to a 6 goal advantage.
In the third quarter Goodwood came out firing, with PHOSC absorbing the pressure with big fellas Maurie Ranger and Dean Bailey playing their rucking roles to perfection. A couple of dubious frees near goal allowed Goodwood to edge a little closer, but some inspirational play by Dean Goodwin and a team lifting goal to Darren Pickering kept the Phantoms up by 5 goals at 3/4 time.

The final term was an absolute heartstopper. Goodwood began a desperate charge for glory, pumping the ball into their forward line time and time again and slotting through some miraculous goals from the boundary. With around five minutes remaining Goodwood posted yet another major to close to within a goal. With The Phantoms struggling to raise a gallop, things looked fairly bleak, another goal would put The Saints in front with plenty time left and plenty of run in their legs. Courageously, the Phantoms dug deep and summoned every ounce of energy to keep putting in where lesser players would have dropped their heads. The final 5 minutes was played almost entirely in the PHOSC backline, but the determined Phantoms amazingly held sway to hang on for a nailbiting 5 point victory.

Grand Final - Final score;
PHOSC 10 . 7 (67)
Goodwood 8 . 14 (62)
Best: All played well
Goals: D. Pickering, S. Rowe C. Ramsey, M. Ranger 2, D. Bailey, B. Clements

A lot of the players in that side had played most of their football careers along side each other (some since the age of 5) and that understanding was crucial to their success. Those that played that season really enjoyed their footy and in that Grand final victory will have a memory to last a life time.
Well done to Bruce Clements for a premiership in his first year as coach, Mark Kain, Simon Saprinidis, Sherif Catic, Roman Catic, Darren Royals, Darren Pickering, Tony Bailey and Pete Tidswell for outstanding efforts all year. Many players donned the blue and gold that season and all can take pride in being part of a truly legendary team.