The Football Integration Development Association’s western conference season came to an exciting end in a massive gala day at Stawell’s North Park on Sunday.
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Three football matches and multiple games of netball were held on the day to draw a close to the western conference season.
The Grampians Giants and Wimmera Whippets faced off against each other in the first football match of the day, playing off for fifth spot.
In what was quite a tense game at time, with players showing their commitment to their respective teams, the Whippets came out on top to beat the Giants for the second time this season.
They finished ahead 8.9 (57) to 0.2 (2).
Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly access for all abilities program manager Nic Baird said both the Giants and Whippets have enjoyed great seasons.
“Their seasons have panned out pretty well in the end, especially with some player losses,” he said.
“It has been great to see different players from both teams stand up.”
In the big match of the day, the Ballarat Bulldogs claimed a slender four-point win over Hamilton to be crowned western conference champions once again.
“The grand final being won by just four points reflects how well matched the games were all day I think,” Baird said.
“Last year the Bulldogs won by 90 points in the grand final so to have such a close decider shows the improvement being made in this region’s competition.”
The western conference awards were presented following the grand final, with a team of the year announced as well as several individual awards.
Whippets young gun Sam Hudson won the rising star award while Giants’ Hannah Slorach won the best female player award.
Whippets players Tyson Harris, Josh Barry, Rach Werner and Mitch McNaughton were named in the team of the year alongside Russel Holmes, Jake Debono, Simon Crow and Tim Miller from the Giants. Holmes was named as vice-captain of the team.
Baird said he hopes to see the teams continue to grow next season.
“We are always on the hunt for more players, in particular for the Giants who lose some players due to injury and retirement,” he said.
The carnival day was run the the WRSA in conjunction with AFL Victoria. Baird said it went well and he hopes to see Stawell used as a venue for such a day again in the future.
