The Mounties and Warriors faced off, with the former going in with better form having beaten the Warriors in the qualifying final two weeks earlier.

Mounties made the most of a strong breeze in the first term, jumping out to a 14-point lead at the first break.

Warriors hit back in the second but the Mounties were able to kick a goal against the breeze to lead by three points at half-time.

Things tightened up in the third term, as neither side managed a goal, with the margin reduced to just two points.

“We didn’t use the breeze as well as we would have liked in the third quarter,” Mounties coach Mark Dadswell said.

The Warriors had the breeze behind them in the last quarter but Mounties player Sarah Ralph was able to kick a goal into the wind to shake things up.

The majority of play was down the Warriors’ end but they were unable to get across the line, falling agonisingly short.

The final score was Mounties 4.3 (27) to Warriors 4.2 (26).

“It was a real tight contest and either team could have won on the day. Both teams put in a huge effort,” Dadswell said.

“The kids were over the moon when the siren sounded and they were in front.

“I think the grand final reflects the evenness of the whole competition all season. We were just fortunate a few things went out way in the end.”

Jim Jennings booted two goals as best on ground for the Warriors while Mounties player Floyd Burmeister won the best on ground medal in the grand final.

League leading goalkicker Darcy Aitken (Warriors) added two goals to his big tally for the season. Aitken booted 25 goals for the season.

ADJFA president Jamie Toner shared Dadswell’s sentiments on the match.

“What an awesome game of junior football we had. Both teams not only had to battle each other, but also the wind and heavy ground conditions,” he said.

“Through all of this the players still managed to keep their skills to a high level and the desperation at an even higher level.

“The comment was made, ‘that if anyone can score against the wind they’ll win’ and that is exactly what happened. Mounties scores two goals against it.

Toner said many things stood out for him in the deciding match.

“The highlights had to be that all players no matter what their age, skill and ability level were, they all busted themselves for their teammates,” he said.

“Both teams had outstanding players on the day, but the consistent team effort of Mounties was what got them over the line.”

Rovers player Sonny Kettle was presented with the Richardson Medal as the league best and fairest on Sunday, receiving the most amount of votes from the umpires during the season. 

Bomber Sam Phillips won the league’s most valuable player award, as voted on by the league’s coaches.

Blue Ribbon Foundation spirit of sport medals were awarded to Jake Brady, Jed Herbert, Toby McGrath and James Carter – one player from each of the four teams in the competition.

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