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ARARAT has capped off an undefeated season in the Wimmera Football League under-14 competition, comfortably accounting for Horsham in the grand final on Saturday morning.
In slippery conditions at Warracknabeal’s Anzac Park, the Demons started the game stronger, locking the ball inside their forward 50 for the first few minutes.
But they were not clean enough when they found it in space, and could not register a score.
It took until the seven minute mark of the opening term for the first goal to be kicked, and it came through Ararat’s Cody Lindsay, who screwed one through from a tight angle.
The Rats continued to hold sway but could not convert their chances.
They led by 10 points at the first change after holding the Demons scoreless in the opening term, and continued to control the play in the second.
Matt Spalding found some space inside 50 and converted a set shot to give the Rats a 17-point lead.
Horsham responded through Oliver Kemp before the Rats steadied to lead by 19 points at half-time.
The match lifted in intensity, and Ararat handled the pressure better, kicking the first two goals of the second half to open up a 33-point lead.
Two quick goals to Horsham cut the margin to 21 points midway through the term, but another to the Rats close to three-quarter-time ensured it held a 27-point lead at the final change.
Both sides struggled to find any fluency in the final term as the sting went out of the contest, but league best and fairest winner Cori Corrigan converted two stunning final-term majors to seal an emphatic 8.11 (59) to 3.0 (18) triumph.
Demons’ coach Matt Glare praised his side’s effort in the aftermath and commended the Rats on their fine performance.
Rats’ cooach Mick Driscoll said he was proud of his side, but said there was pressure heading into the clash.
“There’s always pressure when you haven’t lost a game,” he said.
“We were making sure we were focused and made sure the kids were ready and raring to go.
“It was a good team effort, all around.”
Ararat’s Brenton Lewis was named best-afield for his work off half-back, and was well served by the likes of Brody Griffin, Riley McKinnis and Jack Driscoll.
For the Demons, Dylan Bates, Brayden Gebert and Oliver Kemp were the goal-scorers, while Ben Hobbs provided plenty of dash for the losing side.