SCOTT Carter says he ends his five-season tenure as Warrnambool coach with “some everlasting memories and some lifelong friends”.
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Carter relinquished the role after the 13.14 (92) to 7.9 (51) loss to Koroit in the Hampden league grand final at Reid Oval on Saturday.
The respected mentor, who played 215 games for the club, steered them to two premierships from five grand final appearances.
“I’m really fortunate to have got to coach a club like Warrnambool. I never thought I’d get the chance to coach Warrnambool, let alone have the job for five years,” he said.
“To make five grand finals and win two premierships, it’s great. The major thing I’ll take out of this is I’ve got some everlasting memories and some lifelong friends. If you take that out of footy, that’s all you can ask.”
Carter was proud of the way his men fought out the decider. They led by 23 points early and were 4.7 to 3.4 up at the long break, despite losing creative forward Jed Turland to a first-term head knock.
But Koroit, sparked by best-afield Isaac Templeton, Joe McLaren and five-goal hero Sam Dobson, gradually seized the ascendency. The second half finished 10.10 to 3.2 in the Saints’ favour.
Ruckman Andrew McCarthy, teen Liam Hoy and onballer Jackson Bell were the Blues’ leading contributors.
Key defender Will Jacobs took the first-half honours against Dobson before the Saint got on top. Brendan Moore, Josh Walters and Chirnside twins Nick and Angus were also admirable.
That the match was still in the balance at three-quarter-time was testament to the Blues’ want to succeed.
Their grand final side was missing frontline stars Jason Rowan, Tim O’Keeffe, Sam Wilson, Tim McIntyre, Tom Schnerring, Damien McCorkell and Travis Graham.
“We’re disappointed. Any time you lose a grand final you can’t wash it under the carpet. But at the same time you could never, ever criticise my boys’ pride, character and willingness to work for each other,” Carter said.
“We’ve overcome a lot this year, there have been a lot of hurdles and a lot of injuries.
“To make it through, and not only make it through but fall a half short, it’s really disappointing but at the same time our boys can keep their heads up.”
Carter urged his players to stick together to seek redemption, believing their flag window remained open.
“They’ll bounce back. They’re a proud group and a loyal group,” he said.
