FOOTBALL grand finals can often come back to a series of key moments – something Hampden league reserves premier Terang Mortlake now knows.
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The Bloods held off Koroit in a see-sawing grand final at Reid Oval on Saturday to secure their first flag in the grade since 2009.
The match seemed headed for a thrilling finale when scores were level at 6.3 apiece late in the third term.
But two goals in five minutes to Tom Moloney to open the final stanza put the Bloods 13 points up. The majors proved to be the most important of the match.
Aaron Moyne lifted the Saints back within striking distance but the lively Joe Arundell set up Josh Carlin for the sealer. A Josh Purcell effort came too late to deny the Bloods, who won 9.9 (63) to 8.5 (53).
“All the players have come through junior footy at Terang Mortlake, it’s absolutely fantastic,” Bloods co-coach Ben Price said.
“There are some with senior experience, there are some young blokes who have come up from the under 18 premiership years. And there are a few boys who played junior footy with the club, went out to Woorndoo-Mortlake and Caramut and have come back.”
Price lauded the efforts of defender Pat Heffernan and ruckman Simon Densley. Lachlan Barr, Arundell and James Reicha also featured in their best while Eamonn O’Connor was effective as a tagger.
Nick Whiting led the way for the Saints and won the Fred Bond Medal for best afield. Ben Turner-Dwyer, Tim Martin and Alex White were also prominent.
Meanwhile, Cobden is celebrating its first under 18.5 premiership since 1983. The Bombers kicked the last four goals of the match to defeat South Warrnambool 13.12 (90) to 9.5 (59).
They led narrowly at half-time and by 11 points at the last break, but were on the back foot when Rooster Callum Humphrys kicked the opening goal of the final term. But majors to Sam Thow, Sam Giblett, Charlie Darcy and Jackson Rock secured victory. Bomber Trent Reed won the Ted Parker Medal. The AFL Victoria Medal went to Rooster Jeremy Bolden.
Cobden coach Leigh Walsh said he was rapt with the gutsy win. His side lost Ash Rosolin to a shoulder injury in the first five minutes and Brady Green finished in hospital with a broken leg.
“We had a couple of players go down early, we had limited bench for the day and they all stood up,” Walsh said. “A lot of the players have had disappointment through their early junior career, South Warrnambool has knocked them off a lot.”
Joel Moriarty, Christian Koroneos and Paul Pekin also figured in the Bombers’ best. Dominic Moloney, Kyden Jarvis and Josh Wain led the way for the Roosters.
