MDFL - For the first time in eight years Wickliffe/Lake Bolac has claimed the Mininera and District Football League premiership following a grinding grand final victory against Moyston/Willaura on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Pumas were worthy opponents pushing the Magpies for three quarters, but the benchmark team of the competition all season refused to cave and a five goal to two final quarter sealed the hard fought win, 11.14 (80) to 7.5 (47).
First year coach Nic Willox said there were plenty of overwhelming emotions when the final siren sounded.
"I think it was more relief than anything else, with the team we had and the wins on the board at the end of the home and away season there was a lot of expectation," he said.
"I put it on the guys going into the match that whoever was first in for the ball wins the game.
"They led us to the ball in the first quarter, they probably came out a bit fresher and got the early score on the board."
A good piece of play from Moyston/Willaura onballers Lynden Brewis and Luke Thomas gave coach Daniel Guinane a chance to slot the first goal of the match, however the forward/ruckman was unable to convert.
Guinane quickly made up for his early miss when he hit Aaron McKinnis on the lead two minutes later. McKinnis calmly slotted the goal and had his second major a short time later to gift the Pumas a dream start.
Magpies' assistant coach Chris Hilet hit back with his first goal of the day at the 15-minute mark from point blank range, however the Pumas continued to dictate play through Josh Day and Tyson Carr from the backline.
When joint-captain Charlie Archer was given a yellow card and sent from the field Moyston/Willaura made the most of the extra man to score another goal.
Willox said that while it was disappointing to see Archer penalised, the damage on the scoreboard could have been worse during the imposing backman's absence.
"It didn't affect us too much, we probably just lost some options going into the forward line because we put an extra man down back," he said.
"It was a bit undisciplined but at the same time we wanted aggression and you definitely get that from Charlie."
The second quarter saw Pumas' defender and assistant coach Trent Fiscalini play his role as a loose defender to a tee, with the skilful runner continually stopping goals on the last line and rebounding back out of the defensive-50.
Another major to Moyston/Willaura saw the team break away to a 22-point lead before the Magpies began to find their running game.
Ruckman Brad Keilar was influential and provided speedy midfielder Jason Quinlivian plenty of use, while Willox said consecutive goals to Josh Keys and Hilet gave Wickliffe/Lake Bolac plenty of confidence going into the main break.
"Even though we were down (10 points) at halftime, we'd had a fair bit of the play and I think the boys knew that we were right in the match," he said.
"It didn't matter so much the score line at halftime, those late goals gave us plenty of momentum going into the second half.
"I just said to the boys that we had an hour left of our season and to put all they can into it They couldn't have responded any better."
Wickliffe/Lake Bolac had total control in the premiership quarter, with nine scoring shots to the Pumas' one.
Archer and Dean McInnes were strong contributors in defence, while Richard Blackburn was able to duke several contested marks.
Willox said swingman Michael Otto's game went to another level during the term, with two goals in quick succession giving the team a real boost.
"We missed a couple of shots but it wasn't a worry. We'd had all the passage of play and the ball was in our hands, so even though we couldn't capitalise early I knew it would eventually turn," he said.
"Once we started running and carrying the ball, looking after one another it all started to click. Michael Otto's goal right on the siren got everyone's confidence right up.
"The talk was good and everyone was ready for a big final quarter."
Despite a captain's goal from Matt Peel three minutes into the final term which reduced the deficit to just seven points, the Pumas were unable to close the gap any further.
Three unanswered goals to McInnes, Alistar Woods and Will Archer had the Magpies celebrating their first piece of silverware since 2005, with the final margin creeping out to 33 points by the end of the match.
Dean McInnes was awarded the JA Knight Medal for his efforts through the midfield, while vice captain Otto claimed the VCFL Medal.
"Dean McInnes who got best on ground worked hard all day and really gave us drive through the centre," Willox said.
“Michael Otto was great both forward and back and Will Archer on the wing was a really instrumental player for us.
“I knew about five or six weeks into the season that we had a capable group, but it is always hard to win a premiership no matter what.
“We sat down early on and said that we wanted to have a fair crack and to achieve that goal is something really special and I am proud of everyone involved.”
● Great Western’s reserves made history on Saturday at Mininera, defeating Wickliffe/Lake Bolac to
take out the club’s first Mininera and District Football League premiership.
In just their second year since coming out of recess, the Lions completed the remarkable turn around to defeat the Magpies by 36 points in the decider.
Great Western president Rodney Matheson said he was lost for words following the historic victory.
“Two years in from being out of recess and to not win a game last year – I just can’t believe it to be honest,” he said.
“This one is not just for the club, but for the whole community.”
With scores level at quarter time, the Lions broke away to lead by 19 points at the main break.
Great Western then controlled the second half, piling on eight goals to Wickliffe/Lake Bolac’s three to be crowned 2013 Mininera reserves premiers, 14.8 (92) to 8.8 (56).
Ruckman Craig Cooper took home the Kerrin Peters Memorial Medal for best on ground.
The Ararat Eagles’ under 16s also made history, winning the club’s first Mininera football premiership with a 42-point victory over Penshurst.
After a slow start the young Eagles’ team dominated from the second quarter onwards and led by best on ground Ben Robertson never looked troubled, eventually running out 8.8 (56) to 1.8 (14) winners to complete the perfect season.
It was a good day for the Ararat Eagles, with the club’s C grade netballers claiming an unlikely victory over favourites Penshurst, 31 to 21.
Sarah Leggett was named best on court.
Earlier in the day the 15 and under netball match saw Tatyoon record a comprehensive 25-goal win over Moyston/Willaura, with Sarah Phillips taking best on court honours.